Why Does Your Breath Stink in the Morning?
Posted on February 20, 2018 in Dental Health
Morning breath—we all get it, can’t wait to get rid of it and desperately want to stop it. But why does your breath stink in the morning?
Dry Mouth
A dry mouth occurs naturally when you sleep, and is worse if you sleep with your mouth open. Some diseases and issues with salivary glands can also cause a dry mouth. The lack of saliva, which cleanses the mouth, causes the bad odor you get in the morning.
Bad Habits
Midnight snacks and smoking are some of the bad habits that can lead to worse breath in the morning. While brushing can take care of most food-related breath odors, foods like garlic and onions are carried to the lungs through the bloodstream after they’re digested, causing bad breath.
Medications and Medical Conditions
Certain medications cause bad breath by creating dry mouth, or by releasing chemicals that are carried to the breath. Medical conditions like acid reflux and metabolic disorders can make matters worse.
How to get rid of morning breath:
Brush and floss before you go to bed. If you sneak in a snack after you do that, brush again.
Keep a glass of water next to your bed in case you get thirsty in the middle of the night. This can help relieve dry mouth.
Talk to your dentist about how your medications and conditions may be contributing to your morning breath.
Learn more about keeping your breath fresh: