Bad Breath and Snoring

2009-05-30T05:14:00.000-07:00

Bad Breath and Snoring

"Morning breath" is never appealing, especially if the preceding night was filled with sleep-shattering snoring. You know your snoring makes you feel lousy the next day and can keep a bed partner awake at night. But did you know it also could be a contributing factor if you have chronic bad breath?

Mints, mouthwash and frequent tooth brushing might not be enough to cure your bad breath if your snoring causes you to breathe through your mouth at night. That’s because mouth-breathing affects saliva production. Saliva helps control buildup of the bacteria that can lead to bad breath.

Anything that dries out your mouth – from disease, diet, stress and dehydration to over-the-counter cold remedies and asthma inhalers – reduces saliva production. And that’s the link between chronic snoring and chronic bad breath.

Guilty as charged?

For thousands of years, humans have recognized the link between stress and a dry mouth. Since people with a dry mouth are also more likely to have bad breath, in ancient times one might sniff the breath of a suspect person to determine his innocence or guilt.

While we now know there are many causes of dry mouth, the social stigma associated with bad breath endures.

Bacteria breaking down sulphur-releasing proteins are the main cause of bad breath. Bacteria occur naturally in the mouth and every healthy person should have a balanced amount in his or her system. Bad breath develops when bacteria build to high levels, unchecked, breaking down proteins at a higher-than-normal rate.

The same saliva that aids in lubrication and digestion also helps flush the mouth of debris and prevent the overgrowth of bacteria.

Breaking the bad breath cycle

Consuming alcohol, which dries the mouth, and high-protein foods that give bacteria fuel can contribute to bad breath. So can breathing – and snoring – through your mouth at night.

If you snore, you’re probably breathing through your mouth when you do it. If you breathed through your nose, as nature intended, you would be less likely to snore in the first place. If you’re a mouth snorer now, making the change to nasal breathing could cure your snoring and help your morning breath.

But mouth breathing is self-perpetuating, making it a difficult habit to change. Even slight dehydration can make the nasal passages more sensitive and make you more likely to breath through your mouth at night.

Reducing foods and drinks that promote water loss and bacteria buildup can help. Another way is to try sleeping with your mouth closed which promotes realigninment of the airways to ensure you’re breathing through your nose and not your mouth while you sleep.

The My Snoring Solution chinstrap helps relieve snoring and promote nasal breathing by effortlessly holding your mouth closed and realigning your air passages while you sleep. Order yours now for only $89.97, and get a 12 month money back guarantee. You'll also receive a free American Medical Review DVD and a copy of the book "7 Steps to Sleep Success."