Morning breath: Causes & how to combat morning breath?

Morning breath is something a lot of people are really curious about. Why your breath smells so bad when you wake up? It happens because while you're sleeping, your mouth doesn't make as much saliva, so bacteria get to hang out and produce bad smells. Things like poor oral cleaning habits, sleeping with your mouth open, and even what you eat can make it worse. Knowing why it happens can help you figure out how to stop it. Next, we'll go over some tips to help you wake up with fresher breath.

What causes morning breath?

Morning breath, or "halitosis," is caused by several factors that happen while you sleep:

• While you sleep, as we mentioned, your mouth produces less saliva. Saliva helps clean your mouth and control bacteria growth, so less saliva means more bacteria and bad smells.

• Bacteria in your mouth feed on food particles and dead cells. As they break down these materials, they release foul-smelling compounds.

• Breathing through your mouth while you sleep can dry it out and reduce saliva even more.

• Eating certain foods like garlic, onions, or spicy foods before bed.

• Not brushing and flossing before bed leaves food particles and bacteria in your mouth overnight.

Morning breath symptoms

Morning breath symptoms are often easy to identify due to their unpleasant nature. The most noticeable symptom is a foul odor coming from the mouth upon waking. This odor can range from mildly unpleasant to very offensive and depends on the severity of the factors contributing to it. You might notice a dry or sticky feeling in your mouth, as reduced saliva production during sleep is a common cause of morning breath.

Besides the bad smell, other symptoms can include a bad taste in the mouth, which might be metallic or sour. If you've eaten pungent foods like garlic or onions the night before, the lingering flavors can contribute to this bad taste. In some cases, people might experience a coating on their tongue or feel that their teeth are grimy.

How to prevent morning breath?

Three ways may be helpful to prevent morning breath, try them in your routine.

How to stop morning breath?

Here are some ways to stop morning breath you can try.

• Start with excellent habits: brushing and flossing before bed, which are primary culprits of bad breath. Use fluoride toothpaste and brush for a full two minutes.

• Try an antibacterial mouthwash that can further help by eliminating bacteria that cause unpleasant odors. And, don't forget to clean your tongue using a scraper or the bristles of your toothbrush.

• Drinking plenty of water throughout the day and before bedtime helps maintain adequate saliva production, which is necessary for naturally cleansing the mouth.

• A dry mouth, often caused by dehydration or habits such as mouth breathing during sleep, can exacerbate bad breath. To avoid dry mouth, steer clear of alcohol and caffeine before bed as they can be dehydrating.

• Dietary choices also matter; avoiding pungent foods like garlic and onions in the evening can prevent their strong odors from lingering into the next morning.

Risk factors

1. One major risk factor is poor dental and oral hygiene. Failing to brush and floss regularly allows food particles to remain in the mouth and cause bacterial growth and bad odors. Not cleaning the tongue can result in a buildup of bacteria and debris, further exacerbating bad breath.

2. Diet plays a significant role in morning breath.

• Consuming strong-smelling foods such as garlic, onions, and certain spices can leave lingering odors that persist into the next day.

• Habits like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are also key risk factors.

• Smoking not only dries out the mouth but also leaves a distinct, unpleasant smell. Alcohol can dehydrate the body and reduce saliva production, both of which contribute to bad breath.

3. Certain health conditions can increase the risk of morning breath as well. Dry mouth, or xerostomia, is a common condition where the mouth doesn't produce enough saliva, which is essential for keeping the mouth clean. Sleep apnea and the use of CPAP machines can also contribute to dry mouth.

4. Sinus infections, respiratory infections, and gastrointestinal issues such as acid reflux can cause or worsen bad breath. Recognizing these risk factors can help people take preventive measures and seek appropriate treatments to manage and reduce morning breath.