The Bad Breath Bible

Anxiety and Bad Breath Connection

Believe it or not, the way you feel can produce bad breath in your mouth. How is that possible, you say? It all has to do with the "flight and fight" syndrome. Fear and anxiety may have a connection with it. These emotions produce changes in the body that many of us are already aware of. This relationship isn't as odd as you may think. The changes that take place are different but very common for almost everyone. Some of these changes are headaches, tight muscles, and tiredness. No one would ever think that bad breath would be another. Let's explore the reason why this may take place.

How could anxiety have a connection with bad breath? The reason lies in what happens physiological to our bodies when we are under duress. When you are in a stressful or anxious situation, your body gets ready to either fight or "flight" (flee). How does it do this? Your heart begins to pump quicker to push oxygen and extra blood into the leg muscles, so the leg muscles are ready for action. Unfortunately, the rest of your body receives less of these much needed nutrients. Oxygen and moisture are being depleted from your mouth. When moisture is absent in the mouth, bad breath is on the rise.

How can we avoid anxiety altogether? It can't be avoided completely. It is all around us and is a part of our lives. However, it can be reduced or calmed down. One of the things you can do to reduce the amount of anxiety you experience is to "lighten up." Most of us take things so intensely. While we can't go through life half-hearted and not caring, we can let go of some things. There are things that we just can't control, and it's not worth getting stressed over them. Other things, such as being late for work, school, etc., are easily solved by allowing yourself more time to get to them. If you already are stressed, take time to close your eyes and think about something relaxing. Look out the window and try to make out the shapes of clouds. Take a walk, if possible, away from the busyness. Sometimes, just getting away from the same old daily functions will give you a sense of relaxation and renewal.

There are other causes of bad breath. Bacteria is the main culprit, so keeping your mouth clean twice or even three times a day is a good idea. Bring a toothbrush and toothpaste to work with you, and brush after lunch. This added step will reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth. Post nasal drip is a very common cause of bad breath. Mucus drips from the nasal passage into the back of the mouth. This added mucus feeds the bacteria that cause bad breath. Check with your doctor for the best treatment to reduce your post nasal drip. Of course, your odorous mouth may be a symptom of a greater medical problem. Seeing a physician yearly for a regular physical is a great time to bring this up.