7 Unexpected Things That Could Be Causing Your Dragon Breath

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2. You’re Hungry
So busy you skipped lunch? Well, thanks to that lovely lack of saliva that can come about from a dearth of food, you may pay for your oversight with foul-smelling breath (and getting seriously hangry).

3. You’ve Got a Mouth Infection
Mouth infections mean loads of bacteria, which—when they decompose—can release odors of sulfur, says Giannacopoulos. If you think you could have an infection like pericoronitis, which is inflammation of the soft tissue around the crown of a tooth, it’s time to clean up your oral hygiene habits and see your dentist.

4. You’re Brushing and Flossing All Wrong
Truth: Most of us are brushing and flossing completely incorrectly—and this causes food particles to build up, says Giannacopoulos. “Trapped food particles accelerate the growth of bacteria and cause inflammation, leading to bad breath,” she says. A quick brush-up on brushing: “Hold the brush horizontally against your teeth and tilt it at a 45-degree angle,” says Giannacopoulos. “Move the toothbrush in short horizontal strokes.” You should do this twice a day for two minutes each time. As for flossing? “Gentle and thorough are key words,” says Giannacopoulos. The floss should go slightly under your gum line and hug each tooth. “Brushing alone misses almost half of the tooth surfaces, so flossing is also a must,” she says.

5. You Neglect Your Tongue
Your pearly whites aren’t the only things that need brushing. Bacteria thrives all over your mouth, especially on your tongue, says Giannacopoulos. So pick up a tongue scraper at your local pharmacy and brush it every time you clean your teeth, she suggests. Just remember to be careful—you don’t need much pressure.

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RELATED: The Right Way to Clean Your Tongue—and How Often You Should Do It

6. You Haven’t Had Your Wisdom Teeth Removed
Holding on to your wisdom teeth? These teeth and the operculum—the piece of gum over wisdom teeth that are growing in—can trap food and bacteria and become infected, which can contribute to stinky breath, says Giannacopoulos. It’s best to ask your dentist if you need yours out. And if you think you have an infection, you could need antibiotics.

7. You Have a Cavity
Here’s a good case for keeping a date with your dentist every six months: “Sometimes untreated cavities can cause sensitivity and pain; however, sometimes they can go unnoticed,” says Giannacopoulos. And if you have one, you might give off some stink. “Bacteria essentially eats away at tooth structure and release odors,” she says. So stay up to date on your cleanings—clinical dental exams and X-rays can ID cavities.

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