Brushing your teeth thoroughly, scraping your tongue regularly, avoiding odor-causing foods at night, and getting regular dental checkups can help reduce morning breath.
Morning breath is the result of bacteria in the mouth digesting food particles left on the teeth, gums and tongue. This condition persists, forming plaque and over time, the odor increases.
During the day, the mouth continuously secretes saliva to wash away food debris, helping to keep the breath clean and fresh. However, the body’s metabolism slows down while sleeping, producing less saliva. Reduced saliva causes dry mouth, leading to bad breath. Breathing through the mouth while sleeping, smoking, and drinking alcohol are also causes of dry mouth.
In addition to brushing your teeth thoroughly, there are other ways to combat bad morning breath and keep your mouth fresh.
Brush and floss at night
The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth for at least two minutes, twice a day, before bed and after waking up. Electric toothbrushes are preferred for better cleaning of tooth surfaces. Flossing daily after meals can help prevent bad breath. Flossing before bed also helps keep your mouth clean before bed.
Use a tongue scraper
Many people often forget or ignore cleaning the surface of the tongue. This part is also where many bacteria, food particles and dead cells are produced. When not cleaned, these factors can lead to bad breath due to bacteria. In parallel with brushing teeth, people often brush their tongue with a special tool before going to bed. Use an alcohol-free mouthwash to avoid dry mouth – a risk factor for bad breath.
Avoid certain foods
Onions and garlic add delicious flavor to meals, but they also tend to have a lasting effect on breath odor. To prevent morning breath, consider avoiding these foods at dinner.
Treatment of related diseases
Certain medical conditions can contribute to worse morning breath. These include sleep apnea (sleeping with your mouth open or snoring, which can cause dry mouth), acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux. People with these conditions should seek medical attention early.
Regular dental check-ups
Visit your dentist at least twice a year to have your teeth cleaned of tartar and plaque that causes bad breath. Your dentist or doctor can detect gum disease, cavities, infections, and bone loss associated with gingivitis. These are all major causes of bad breath and should be treated as soon as possible.