Sleep apnea and bad breath

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There are many reasons for bad breath, such as diet, bacteria, medication, and alcohol, among other things. But did you know that sleep apnea can also cause bad breath?


Bad breath (halitosis) can be very embarrassing and often difficult to get rid of. No matter how much mouthwash you use or how many times you floss each day, your breath still has a distinct odor. You try to get to the root of the problem but can’t understand why you have bad breath.

It could be sleep apnea.

It is understandable why eating garlic and other foods gives you bad breath. It is also very believable that alcohol, in large quantities, can make your breath reek. But why sleep apnea? If you have sleep apnea and you breathe through your mouth, your throat becomes very dry at night. All that air coming in and all that gasping dries out the throat.

Saliva controls the bacteria in the mouth, the same bacteria that can cause bad breath. When saliva production is affected by breathing through the mouth, the bacteria survive and create bad breath.

Of course, if you fix the sleep apnea with the CPAP or surgery, then you won’t be able to blame your bad breath on sleep apnea.

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Comments

  1. stop apneaJanuary 29, 2010 at 8:00 AM

    This is first time for me to hear that sleep apnea couse bad breath.

    ReplyDelete
  2. David StillwagonJanuary 29, 2010 at 10:45 PM

    I just found out about it recently.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousNovember 3, 2010 at 10:34 PM

    I can attest this is true. My husband has wicked bad breath. He was diagnosed with sleep apnea, had the throat surgery, but still sleeps with his wide mouth open. He also breathes through his mouth all day, so...he has constant bad breath.

    ReplyDelete
  4. David StillwagonNovember 5, 2010 at 11:10 AM

    thanks I appreciate the comment
    David

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousSeptember 9, 2011 at 12:07 PM

    i just found out about this...i need help can someone please tell me how i can fix this

    ReplyDelete
  6. David StillwagonSeptember 10, 2011 at 9:50 AM

    If this is related to sleep apnea you might want to check with your dentist

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousFebruary 7, 2012 at 1:16 AM

    this very well maybe my husband's problem i think he has sleep apnea matter of fact im sure of it but he has never went to a doctor to get checked but anyway he sleeps with his mouth open and the bedroom stinks all the time from it. dont know how to tell him without hurting his feelings. i have told him from time to time when we were out that his breath smells but to tell him that while he sleeps...

    ReplyDelete

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