What you need to know about morning sickness

Morning sickness is the term people commonly use to describe bad smelling breath when a person wakes up. It is a very common problem.

The Academy of General Dentistry estimated that 80 million people in the United States experience chronic bad breath. However, there are many simple ways to treat it.

What is morning sickness?

Η morning bad breath is a type of bad breath that affects people when they wake up. The medical term for bad breath is halitosis, which describes chronic bad breath that does not go away.

Causes of morning bad breath 

According to the American Dental Association (ADA) , morning bad breath occurs due to the buildup of bacteria in the mouth overnight.

Food particles

During the night, enzymes in saliva will break down food particles that remain between the teeth, on the tongue or around the gums. This breakdown releases volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), which emit a foul odor.

The specific foods a person eats can also affect how their breath smells. The list of foods that can cause bad breath is very long and includes :

• garlic
• onions
• coffee
• spices

Smoking

Smoking can also cause bad breath. A person may not be aware of the effect that smoking can have on the smell of their breath because smoking reduces their sense of smell.

Dry mouth 

A person may experience morning sickness odour if he has a dry mouth. The saliva helps the mouth to cleanse the bacteria that accumulate during the day and night. If the mouth does not produce enough saliva, bacteria will be able to build up more often. As a result, VSC release during the night may be higher, potentially causing morning bad breath.

A study investigating the effect of water on morning breathing found that drinking water or rinsing the mouth with water in the morning reduced VSCs by 30-50% , leading to an overall improvement in morning breathing.

Breathing through the mouth can also dry out the mouth. People who sleep with their mouth open or snore during the night may have drier mouths and are more likely to have bad breath in the morning.

Poor oral hygiene

Poor oral hygiene is a common cause of morning smell. Proper brushing and flossing removes bacteria and food particles that cause bad breath.

If a person does not clean their teeth regularly and effectively, they could also develop gum disease. Gingivitis and periodontitis are types of gum disease that can cause bad breath. Tooth cavities resulting from plaque-producing bacteria can trap more bacteria in the mouth. A person may then find it difficult to clear the bacteria when brushing their teeth.

A person can improve the smell of their breath by brushing their teeth thoroughly, using mouthwash and flossing, and staying hydrated to prevent their mouth from drying out.