What are the causes of bad breath (halitosis) and ways to deal with it?

• Траяна Камбарева •Interesting, Nutrition, Toothpaste

Almost everyone has had bad breath at some point. Bad breath usually occurs in the evening and is caused by bacteria in the mouth. If brushing and flossing doesn’t help, then bad breath is called halitosis.

Do you have bad breath and are you worried about what the causes are and how to deal with it? Bad breath causes complexes, worries, and limitations in your social life.

The reasons may be:

  • Bacteria in the mouth feed on food debris, and if your toothbrush fails to remove it, it releases unpleasant odors. Good oral hygiene, frequent brushing, and the consumption of foods that naturally cleanse the oral cavity (such as an apple) are necessary.
  • There are millions of bacteria on the surface of the tongue. It would be a good idea to clean it with a special tip or with a toothbrush.
  • Dry mouth. Some medications can cause dry mouth, which can lead to bad breath. If you experience this sensation, take a sip of water and hold it in your mouth for a few minutes before swallowing. Mouthwashes are also available on the market, but use only those that do not contain alcohol, as using alcohol will further dry out your mouth.
  • Food that gets stuck in certain parts of the mouth or on the teeth. Even after brushing, we can miss cleaning a surface of the tooth and food particles can remain.
  • It often occurs when you have a broken, unhealthy tooth or when you wear dentures. It is necessary to clean your dentures perfectly every day.
  • Problems with the tonsils if they are chronically infected.
  • Smoking. Smoking causes bacteria to spread faster in the mouth. It is best to quit smoking forever, but if that is still impossible, spend more time cleaning your teeth and mouth.
  • Sinus problems. With a profuse nasal discharge, the discharge can also cause an infection in the oral cavity. In this case, a consultation with an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist is mandatory.
  • Other causes may be a chronic and severe health problem such as bronchitis, pneumonia, or even kidney failure. In this case, consult a doctor about how to alleviate bad breath.

We will offer several simple and effective ways to overcome this problem:

  • One of the main causes of bad breath is the accumulated plaque on the teeth, which contains thousands of bacteria. Therefore, it is mandatory to brush your teeth twice a day. If bad breath persists, brush more often, for example after each meal, but not too roughly and aggressively, because this can wear away the enamel and make the teeth sensitive and susceptible.
  • Clean your tongue. The surface of your tongue also harbors bacteria that cause bad breath. Brush your tongue with your toothbrush, or if it’s too big to clean the root of your tongue, use a special brush. Brushes can be found on the back of your toothbrush head or sold separately. Brushing your tongue is done without applying pressure to your tongue, removing bacteria, food debris, and dead skin cells.
  • Of course, before you have a social contact, a meeting or just don’t want bad breath, avoid eating onions and garlic. Even washing your face after eating them won’t eliminate bad breath. The volatile substances they contain enter the bloodstream and reach the lungs, and when we inhale and exhale, we feel the unpleasant odor.
  • Smoking. It causes gum inflammation, predisposes to the appearance of dark spots on the teeth and increases the risk of oral cancer. There are now smoking cessation programs available (ask your dentist), nicotine patches and e-cigarettes that could be helpful in stopping this harmful habit.
  • Use antibacterial rinse solutions for extra protection against bacterial plaque. You can also rinse your mouth with water after meals to remove any stuck-on particles.
  • After a meal, it is better to chew sugar-free gum instead of sucking or chewing candy, which increases the growth of bacteria.
  • It is extremely important to keep your gums healthy. Periodontal disease is a common cause of bad breath because bacteria accumulate in the “open” pockets of your gums. You should consult a specialist in treating gum disease – a periodontist.
  • Dry mouth causes a lack of saliva and predisposes to cavities. Drink more water, sugarless gum stimulates salivation. If the air is dry, use a humidifier at night.
  • If bad breath persists despite your best efforts, consult your dentist. Bad breath can be caused by a sinus infection, postnasal drip from allergies, lung infections, diabetes, or kidney disease.