Bad Breath After Brushing Your Teeth

You might be someone who wakes up in the morning and immediately experiences a yucky taste in your mouth that you have to take care of before you do anything else. So, you brush, floss and maybe swish mouthwash before getting ready. Have you ever noticed that the fresh, clean feeling you just had has developed into bad breath even after brushing? 

Maybe your bad breath is trying to tell you something important. If you keep popping gum or mints to try and control breath smells after brushing, you probably need to pay closer attention to your daily habits and possibly any changes to your overall health.

Watch what you eat and drink

Certain foods and drinks create the perfect setting for bad breath. Foods with strong odors, like garlic and onions, may satisfy your hunger, but their memory will last even longer on your breath. Your daily coffee with a shot of double espresso and those alcoholic drinks at  Happy Hour also increases the opportunity for bad breath after brushing. Be sure you’re paying attention to your dental health.

Practice good oral hygiene

This advice should come as no surprise. Your parents, dentist, and countless babysitters have been asking you to do this for as long as you can recall having teeth. Along the way into your adulthood, those finer points of your dental health may have become a little foggy. 

Follow these steps to help resolve your bad breath at the bathroom sink:

• Brush at least once in the morning and once before bedtime for at least two minutes. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, and replace it every three to four months or sooner, if you notice the bristles are worn down. 
• Choose a fluoride toothpaste. Check to make sure your favorite brand has it listed as an active ingredient.
• Floss with proper tools. Dental picks, string floss and water flossers are made to floss between your teeth. Fingernails, business cards and eating utensils are not good flossing substitutes and could actually cause pain or harm to your teeth and gums. 
• Rinse with an alcohol-free mouthwash. Refer to the label for exact amounts and how much time it needs to be swished around your mouth. 

Make and keep appointments with your dentist for regular visits every six months. Anything you might miss with routine brushing, flossing and rinsing can be addressed with a professional cleaning and check-up.

Stop bad breath habits

You may like to live on the edge, but your breath is going to suffer when you make those choices. If you smoke cigarettes and cigars or chew tobacco, your breath will not only have a smell, you could develop gum disease too. Using alcohol and drugs also provides stinky side effects in your mouth, even if you brush, and as well as possible health issues for your tongue, gums and teeth. 

Pay attention to your health

If you’re following your daily dental care ritual and not living too hard, fast or loose, you could still be suffering from bad breath after brushing. Short-term and chronic health problems can also directly impact your breath:

• Post-nasal drip as a result of a sinus infection
• Strep throat and other throat infections
• Tonsil stones
• Acid reflux
• Sinusitis when your sinuses are blocked
• Cavities
• Dry mouth from medications, illnesses and lifestyle habits

Some serious medical conditions, such as diabetes, liver or kidney disease and even certain cancers can cause bad breath even after brushing.

Talk to your dentist

You may be able to solve your bad breath by making sure you don’t miss an opportunity to take care of your teeth and gums. Brush twice daily, floss between every tooth and gargle and rinse with an alcohol-free mouthwash. 

If you’re still noticing bad breath after brushing, you should schedule a dental appointment. There could be an underlying issue that your dentist can determine with an exam or X-rays. You may also need to see your doctor or a specialist for additional consultation.