Why does my mouth taste bad after sleeping?

Let’s face it, we’ve all woken up with a foul taste in our mouth at some point. Whether you had too much garlic for dinner or simply forgot to brush your teeth before bed (no judgement, we’ve all been there), waking up with bad breath is not the best way to start your day.

In this article, we’ll explore why our mouths can taste less than pleasant after sleeping and what you can do about it.

The science behind morning breath

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of why our mouths often taste bad in the morning, let’s take a look at what causes bad breath in general:

  • Bacteria: Our mouths are home to millions of bacteria that produce sulfur compounds when they break down food particles.
  • Dry mouth: When your mouth gets dry (such as during sleep) it creates an environment where bacteria thrive.
  • Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions such as sinus infections or acid reflux can also cause bad breath.

Now that we understand the basic causes of bad breath let’s dive into why mornings are particularly notorious offenders (and nope, it’s not just because you drool in your sleep.)

Saliva production slows down while humans snooze

One reason for morning breath has to do with saliva production. Because salivary glands slow down while you’re asleep (try saying “salivary glands” five times fast) and because you’re breathing through your mouth instead of your nose during slumber means there isn’t enough saliva being produced to wash away odor-causing bacteria.

What You Eat Before Bedtime

Another culprit may be related specifically to what you consume pre-sleep. If dinner included pungent foods like onions or garlic – which have volatile organic compounds that are released through pores , then their smell will be detectable on exhale .

Oral Hygiene and Gum Disease

The number one cause of bad breath is poor oral hygiene, a (not-so-)fun fact that according to the American Dental Association affects approx. 50% of Americans. Skipping nighttime brushing or flossing means there’s food debris stuck in between our teeth fermenting away all night.

If left unchecked, those mouth germs can grow into something more serious like gum disease, which only worsens morning breath further.

Smokers have it worse

(Yes sorry about your luck)

Smoking nixes vitamin C in the body, which causes dry mouth and makes us more susceptible to stinky bacteria buildup while sleeping.

What You Can Do About It

Sure we know your dog loves both you and your outrageous morning breath routines but here are some tips for keeping halitosis at bay:

  • Brush twice a day : One before bedtime , Two when you wake up . (throw that old toothbrush out too).
  • Keep hydrated: Sip water throughout the daytime hours instead increases saliva production BONUS.
  • Avoid particular foods beforehand: Try running through the spicy hot sauce dungeon another night as well having wine with dinner. Speaking from experience on this last bit if not exclusively for health reasons.
  • Floss – every single day: This could help stop plaque buildup and cut down odor-causing bacteria growth rates in half!

Now behold! Knowledge has been attained so much less dramatically than any adventure movie ever made would lead us to believe .

In summary : To tackle smelly mornings breathe easier with these simple (if sometimes difficult) habits – regular dental care; avoiding malodorous meal choices ; plenty of hydration = happier healthier gums & tongues alike Thanks for reading

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