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Why Does My Breath Stink in the Morning? Marietta, GA

Why Does My Breath Stink in the Morning?

Woman with Hand Over Mouth Due to Bad Breath

You got a good shower, brushed and flossed your teeth and slipped under the covers for a full night’s sleep. When the sun comes up and your alarm goes off, your body is still clean and you feel refreshed – until you open your mouth and discover your “less than fresh” breath you’ve developed over night. Don’t worry; you are not alone. Nearly everyone experiences bad breath upon waking – commonly termed “morning breath.” If you just brushed before bed and didn’t eat onions in your sleep, why do you keep getting stinky breath in the mornings?

While persistent daytime bad breath (or halitosis) often needs a dentist’s attention, the foul breath odor you experience in the morning is typically not cause for alarm.  In fact, if you’ve put forth your efforts in dental hygiene the night before, morning breath is probably beyond your control. It all starts with a dry mouth.

When we sleep, many of our body functions slow down, which includes our saliva production. With a decreased amount of saliva, our mouths become dry and less able to wash away plaque and bacteria. Keep in mind that oral bacteria exists in our mouths at all times, regardless of whether we are eating or drinking. During nighttime sleep, therefore, our tongue, gums and back of the throat become dry, sticky and coated in bacteria. As bacteria feeds and breeds, it produces foul smelling compounds that give us that dreaded “morning breath” and sends us running for the toothpaste.

What should you do if you have bad breath that continues beyond morning brushing habits? Talk to your dentist. Halitosis can be a warning sign of poor oral hygiene, decay, gum disease and other dental health problems. It may also mean that you have a dry mouth during the day too, which can be relieved with special mouth rinses or by chewing sugarless gum.

For more help on battling bad breath, call Gilreath Family Dentistry. While we can’t put an end to common morning breath, we can give you helpful tips to ensure the health of your mouth is not the culprit to your foul breath odors.

Posted on behalf of Dr. Paul Gilreath IV, Gilreath Family Dentistry Marietta

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Our Client Reviews
Gilreath Family Dentistry

Sarah Khatib

Dr. Daniel Lee is the best dentist I've seen. She's so considerate of your fear of the dentist and was so painless although multiple procedures were done at the same time to save me a visit. Will definitely be coming here for years to come Il!

Susan

Dr. Gilreath is incredible with my kids. They love going to the dentist now! And this busy mom loves the warm neck wraps, the soft music and enjoying a latte while I relax!

Kenneth H.

Was lucky enough to find these guys when I got insurance that my old dentist did not take. Very professional and friendly staff! Office has the latest greatest technology as well. If you're looking for a new dentist, search no further!

Susie L.

Very personable and friendly, they took the time to go over my complex dental history and did not pressure me into anything. They gave their recommendations and priced out any options I had. Great group!

Camille Y.

Dr. Gilreath and his staff are top notch. I received the best cleaning I've ever had while watching my favorite show. The Doctor and his staff were all very polite, friendly, and courteous. They explained everything to me clearly and presented me with options in a gentle way that didn't make me feel pressured at all. It's obvious they really care about the wellbeing of their patients. The facility and equipment is really nice as well. I will definitely be back!

Juan R.

Always willing to work around my kids and my schedules. Today I had a long appointment. They started on time and always made sure I was comfortable and that the pain was managed so the procedure could’ve been completed without issues. Very courteous and professional staff.

Lucia B.

Awesome dental practice! The staff is friendly and efficient. Dr. Gilreath is thorough and versed in the latest technology and procedures. I love that he can make crowns in the office while you wait (so no walking around with a temporary crown for days or weeks). I would strongly recommend this dental practice!

Matthew W.

I've been going here for about a little over a year now. I've had a few cleanings, a filling, and started Invisiline so far. Hands down, the best run dental office I've ever been to. In the past at other dental offices I often had to wait 30 or more minutes beyond my appointment time before being seen. At Dr. Gilreath's office I've been seen on time every time. They seem to have systems in place to make every part of your visit run smoothly. From how they took x-rays, to billing and appointments, to the work done by the hygienist/dentist, everything seems to run like a well oiled machine. On top of that all the staff are all friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. The office space itself is also quite nice. Very clean, well maintained, and seems very "up to date" with their equipment. If you're looking for a dentist and are anywhere in the northwest metro area I would highly recommend Dr. Gilreath.

Our Office

Gilreath Family Dentistry

200 White St NW
Marietta, GA 30060

Call to Schedule an Appointment:
(770) 796-7081

Gilreath Family Dentistry Marietta waiting room Marietta GA.