What causes halitosis. How can bad breath be treated. What are effective prevention methods for bad breath. Why does food affect breath odor. Which health problems are associated with halitosis. Who should I see to treat persistent bad breath. What products can help eliminate mouth odor.

Understanding the Root Causes of Halitosis

Halitosis, commonly known as bad breath, is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It can be embarrassing and socially isolating, but understanding its causes is the first step towards effective treatment. What exactly leads to halitosis? The primary culprits are often poor oral hygiene, certain foods, and underlying health conditions.

Bacteria in the mouth break down food particles, releasing sulfur compounds that cause unpleasant odors. When oral hygiene is neglected, these bacteria flourish, exacerbating the problem. Additionally, foods like garlic, onions, and certain spices contain volatile compounds that enter the bloodstream and are exhaled through the lungs, contributing to bad breath.

The Role of Diet in Breath Odor

How does our diet influence breath freshness? The foods we consume play a significant role in breath odor. Certain items are notorious for causing bad breath, including:

• Garlic and onions
• Cheese
• Pastrami
• Spicy foods
• Citrus juices and sodas
• Alcoholic beverages

These foods contain strong-smelling compounds that are absorbed into the bloodstream and expelled through the lungs during respiration. Brushing and flossing after consuming these foods may provide temporary relief, but the odor persists until the food is fully metabolized and eliminated from the body.

The Impact of Lifestyle Habits on Oral Health

Our daily habits significantly influence our oral health and, consequently, our breath. Poor oral hygiene is a leading cause of halitosis. When teeth are not brushed and flossed regularly, food particles remain in the mouth, promoting bacterial growth. This bacterial activity leads to plaque formation, gum inflammation, and the production of foul-smelling sulfur compounds.

Smoking and tobacco use are also major contributors to bad breath. These habits not only cause direct odor but also dry out the mouth, reducing saliva flow. Saliva plays a crucial role in maintaining oral health by washing away food particles and neutralizing acids produced by plaque bacteria.

The Consequences of Skipping Meals

Can dieting contribute to bad breath? Surprisingly, yes. When individuals skip meals or follow extreme low-carb diets, their bodies enter a state of ketosis, breaking down fat for energy. This process releases chemicals called ketones, which can give breath an unpleasant, fruity odor often described as “keto breath.”

Medical Conditions Associated with Halitosis

While lifestyle factors are common culprits, persistent bad breath can sometimes signal underlying health issues. What medical conditions are linked to halitosis? Several health problems can manifest with breath odor as a symptom:

• Gum disease (periodontitis)
• Dry mouth (xerostomia)
• Respiratory infections
• Chronic sinus infections
• Diabetes
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Liver or kidney problems

Gum disease, for instance, is caused by the buildup of plaque, which harbors bacteria that produce foul-smelling toxins. Dry mouth, often a side effect of certain medications or medical conditions, reduces saliva production, allowing odor-causing bacteria to thrive.

Effective Strategies for Preventing Bad Breath

Prevention is key when it comes to maintaining fresh breath. What steps can be taken to prevent halitosis? Implementing a comprehensive oral care routine is crucial:

1. Brush teeth thoroughly at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
2. Floss daily to remove food particles trapped between teeth
3. Use a tongue scraper to remove bacteria buildup on the tongue
4. Rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash to kill odor-causing bacteria
5. Stay hydrated to maintain saliva production
6. Avoid tobacco products
7. Limit consumption of odor-causing foods

Regular dental check-ups and cleanings are also essential for maintaining optimal oral health and preventing halitosis.

The Importance of Proper Hydration

How does staying hydrated help combat bad breath? Adequate water intake stimulates saliva production, which is nature’s way of cleansing the mouth. Saliva helps wash away food particles, neutralize acids, and keep oral tissues moist, creating an environment less favorable for odor-causing bacteria.

Professional Treatment Options for Persistent Halitosis

When home remedies and preventive measures fail to resolve bad breath, professional intervention may be necessary. Who should you consult for persistent halitosis? The first point of contact should be a dentist, who can assess oral health and identify any underlying dental issues contributing to the problem.

If dental causes are ruled out, a referral to a general physician or specialist may be warranted to investigate potential systemic causes. Treatment approaches may include:

• Professional dental cleaning
• Treatment of gum disease
• Addressing dry mouth
• Managing underlying medical conditions
• Prescribing specific oral care products

Over-the-Counter Products for Combating Bad Breath

Various products are available to help manage halitosis. What over-the-counter solutions can effectively combat bad breath?

• Antiseptic mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine or cetylpyridinium chloride
• Toothpastes formulated to neutralize odor-causing compounds
• Tongue scrapers for removing bacteria and debris from the tongue surface
• Sugar-free gums or mints containing xylitol to stimulate saliva production
• Oral probiotics to promote a healthy balance of oral bacteria

While these products can be effective, they should be used in conjunction with good oral hygiene practices for optimal results.

The Role of Xylitol in Oral Health

Why is xylitol recommended for breath freshness? Xylitol is a natural sugar substitute that bacteria in the mouth cannot metabolize. By chewing gum or consuming mints containing xylitol, you not only stimulate saliva production but also create an environment that discourages the growth of harmful bacteria, promoting better oral health and fresher breath.

Natural Remedies and Dietary Changes for Fresher Breath

For those preferring natural approaches, several home remedies and dietary modifications can help improve breath odor. What natural solutions can be effective against halitosis?

• Chewing on fresh herbs like parsley, mint, or cilantro
• Drinking green tea, which contains polyphenols that reduce oral bacteria
• Consuming probiotic-rich foods like yogurt to promote a healthy oral microbiome
• Increasing intake of vitamin C-rich foods to create an unfavorable environment for bacteria
• Using a saltwater rinse to neutralize bad odors and promote oral health

Incorporating these natural remedies into your daily routine can complement traditional oral care practices and contribute to fresher breath.

The Benefits of a Balanced Diet

How does a balanced diet contribute to oral health? A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains provides essential nutrients that support gum health and help maintain a balanced oral microbiome. Additionally, crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples and carrots can help clean teeth naturally by stimulating saliva production and scrubbing away food particles and plaque.

Understanding the Psychological Impact of Halitosis

The effects of persistent bad breath extend beyond physical health, often impacting an individual’s psychological well-being and social interactions. How does halitosis affect mental health? People suffering from chronic bad breath may experience:

• Reduced self-confidence
• Social anxiety
• Depression
• Isolation from social situations
• Strained personal and professional relationships

Addressing halitosis not only improves oral health but can also significantly enhance quality of life and social well-being.

Coping Strategies for Halitosis-Related Anxiety

What coping mechanisms can help individuals dealing with halitosis-related anxiety? Practicing mindfulness and stress-reduction techniques can be beneficial. Additionally, seeking support from a mental health professional can provide strategies for managing social anxiety and building self-esteem. It’s important to remember that halitosis is a common and treatable condition, and seeking help is a positive step towards improvement.

The Future of Halitosis Treatment and Research

As our understanding of oral health continues to evolve, so do the approaches to treating and preventing halitosis. What advancements are on the horizon for bad breath treatment? Emerging research areas include:

• Development of targeted probiotics for oral health
• Advanced diagnostic tools for identifying specific odor-causing compounds
• Personalized treatment plans based on individual oral microbiome profiles
• Innovative oral care products incorporating nanotechnology
• Gene therapy approaches to modify odor-producing bacteria

These developing technologies hold promise for more effective and personalized approaches to managing halitosis in the future.

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Oral Health

How might AI contribute to halitosis management? Artificial intelligence is being explored for its potential to analyze breath samples and identify specific compounds associated with various causes of bad breath. This technology could lead to more accurate diagnoses and tailored treatment strategies, revolutionizing the way we approach oral health and halitosis management.

In conclusion, halitosis is a complex condition with various causes and significant impacts on daily life. By understanding its origins, implementing effective prevention strategies, and seeking appropriate treatment when necessary, individuals can overcome this common problem and enjoy the confidence that comes with fresh breath. As research continues to advance, we can look forward to even more innovative and effective solutions for managing halitosis in the future.

Bad Breath Causes, Treatments, and Prevention

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

Medically Reviewed by Poonam Sachdev on February 14, 2023

• How Does Food Affect Breath?
• Why Do Poor Habits Cause Bad Breath?
• What Health Problems Are Associated With Bad Breath?
• What Can I Do to Prevent Bad Breath?
• Who Treats Bad Breath?
• What Products Can I Use to Get Rid of Bad Breath?
• More

Bad breath, medically called halitosis, can result from poor dental health habits and may be a sign of other health problems. Bad breath can also be made worse by the types of foods you eat and other unhealthy lifestyle habits. You can take steps to prevent and treat halitosis, at home and with the help of your dentist or doctor.

Basically, all the food eaten begins to be broken down in your mouth. Also, foods are absorbed into your bloodstream and move to the lungs, affecting the air you exhale. If you eat foods with strong odors (such as garlic or onions), brushing and flossing – even mouthwash – merely covers up the odor temporarily. The odor will not go away completely until the foods have passed through your body. Other common foods that can cause bad breath include:

• Cheese
• Pastrami
• Certain spices
• Orange juice or soda
• Alcohol

Likewise, dieters who don’t eat often enough can have bad breath. When your body breaks down fat, the process releases chemicals that can give your breath an unpleasant smell.

If you don’t brush and floss teeth daily, food particles can remain in your mouth, promoting bacterial growth between teeth, around the gums, and on the tongue. This causes bad breath. Inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) from poor dental hygiene can also cause bad breath.

In addition, odor-causing bacteria and food particles can cause bad breath if dentures are not properly cleaned.

Smoking or chewing tobacco-based products also can cause bad breath, stain teeth, reduce your ability to taste foods, and irritate your gums.

Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth may be a warning sign of gum (periodontal) disease. Gum disease is caused by the buildup of plaque on teeth. Bacteria cause toxins to form, which irritate the gums. If gum disease continues untreated, it can damage the gums and jawbone.

Other dental causes of bad breath include poorly fitting dental appliances, yeast infections of the mouth, and cavities.

The medical condition dry mouth (also called xerostomia) also can cause bad breath. Saliva is necessary to moisten the mouth, neutralize acids produced by plaque, and wash away dead cells that build up on the tongue, gums, and cheeks. If not removed, these cells decompose and can cause bad breath. Dry mouth may be a side effect of various medications, salivary gland problems, or continuous breathing through the mouth. In fact, morning breath is worse for people who sleep with their mouths open.

Many other diseases and illnesses can cause bad breath, including:

• Seasonal allergies
• Respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis
• Long-term (chronic) sinus infections
• Postnasal drip
• Diabetes
• Chronic acid reflux
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Chronic lung infection
• Liver or kidney problems

There are some quick and easy ways to banish bad breath. Just remember, the odor from what you eat can stick around until the food works its way completely out of your system – up to 3 days later!

Bad breath can be reduced or prevented if you:

• Brush and floss more often. Practice good oral hygiene. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to remove food debris and plaque. Brush your teeth after you eat. (Keep a toothbrush at work or school to brush after lunch.) Replace your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months or after an illness. Trapped food also adds to the problem. Use floss or an interdental cleaner to remove food particles and plaque between teeth at least once a day.
• Rinse your mouth out. A mouthwash adds extra protection by getting rid of bacteria. You can also help your breath if you swish your mouth with plain water after you eat. It can help to at least loosen up and free those trapped bits of food particles that get stuck in your teeth.
• Scrape your tongue. The coating that normally forms on your tongue can be a host for smelly bacteria. Tongue scrapers are designed specifically to apply even pressure across the surface of the tongue area and clear any buildup.
• Avoid foods that sour your breath. Onions and garlic are big offenders. But brushing after you eat them doesn’t help.
• Skip after-dinner mints and chew gum instead. The bacteria in your mouth love sugar. They use it to make acid. This wears down your teeth and causes bad breath. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking on sugarless candy also stimulates the production of saliva, which helps wash away food particles and bacteria. Gums and mints containing xylitol are best.
• Keep your gums healthy. Antiseptic mouthwash can help kill bacteria that cause bad breath and plaque that can lead to gingivitis, an early, mild form of gum disease.
• Moisten your mouth. You can get tooth decay and bad breath if you don’t make enough saliva. If your mouth is dry, drink plenty of water during the day. You can also try a humidifier at night to moisten the air in your house.
• Keep your dental devices clean. Dentures should be removed at night and cleaned thoroughly before being placed in your mouth the next morning. Clean braces and retainers as directed by your dentist.
• See your dentist regularly – at least twice a year. They will do an oral exam and professional teeth cleaning and will be able to find and treat periodontal disease, dry mouth, or other problems that may be the cause of bad breath.
• Stop smoking and chewing tobacco-based products. Ask your dentist for tips on kicking the habit.
• Eat more fruits and vegetables and less meat. Apples, carrots, celery, and other hard fruits and vegetables help clear odor-causing plaque and food particles from your mouth.
• Keep a log of the foods you eat. If you think they may be causing bad breath, bring the log to your dentist to review. Similarly, make a list of the medications you take. Some drugs may play a role in creating mouth odors.

In most cases, your dentist can treat the cause of bad breath.

If your dentist determines that your mouth is healthy and the odor is not of oral origin, you may be referred to your family doctor or to a specialist to determine the odor source and treatment plan. You can go over a list of your medications with them to see if any of them could be adding to the problem. Work with them to keep diabetes, allergies, and other conditions under control.

If the odor is due to gum disease, for example, your dentist can either treat the disease or refer you to a periodontist, a dentist who specializes in treating gum conditions.

An antiseptic mouthwash can help eliminate bacteria that cause bad breath. For dry mouth, your dentist might recommend artificial saliva. Ask your dentist about which product is best for you.

Top Picks

Bad Breath Causes, Treatments, and Prevention

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

Medically Reviewed by Poonam Sachdev on February 14, 2023

• How Does Food Affect Breath?
• Why Do Poor Habits Cause Bad Breath?
• What Health Problems Are Associated With Bad Breath?
• What Can I Do to Prevent Bad Breath?
• Who Treats Bad Breath?
• What Products Can I Use to Get Rid of Bad Breath?
• More

Bad breath, medically called halitosis, can result from poor dental health habits and may be a sign of other health problems. Bad breath can also be made worse by the types of foods you eat and other unhealthy lifestyle habits. You can take steps to prevent and treat halitosis, at home and with the help of your dentist or doctor.

Basically, all the food eaten begins to be broken down in your mouth. Also, foods are absorbed into your bloodstream and move to the lungs, affecting the air you exhale. If you eat foods with strong odors (such as garlic or onions), brushing and flossing – even mouthwash – merely covers up the odor temporarily. The odor will not go away completely until the foods have passed through your body. Other common foods that can cause bad breath include:

• Cheese
• Pastrami
• Certain spices
• Orange juice or soda
• Alcohol

Likewise, dieters who don’t eat often enough can have bad breath. When your body breaks down fat, the process releases chemicals that can give your breath an unpleasant smell.

If you don’t brush and floss teeth daily, food particles can remain in your mouth, promoting bacterial growth between teeth, around the gums, and on the tongue. This causes bad breath. Inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) from poor dental hygiene can also cause bad breath.

In addition, odor-causing bacteria and food particles can cause bad breath if dentures are not properly cleaned.

Smoking or chewing tobacco-based products also can cause bad breath, stain teeth, reduce your ability to taste foods, and irritate your gums.

Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth may be a warning sign of gum (periodontal) disease. Gum disease is caused by the buildup of plaque on teeth. Bacteria cause toxins to form, which irritate the gums. If gum disease continues untreated, it can damage the gums and jawbone.

Other dental causes of bad breath include poorly fitting dental appliances, yeast infections of the mouth, and cavities.

The medical condition dry mouth (also called xerostomia) also can cause bad breath. Saliva is necessary to moisten the mouth, neutralize acids produced by plaque, and wash away dead cells that build up on the tongue, gums, and cheeks. If not removed, these cells decompose and can cause bad breath. Dry mouth may be a side effect of various medications, salivary gland problems, or continuous breathing through the mouth. In fact, morning breath is worse for people who sleep with their mouths open.

Many other diseases and illnesses can cause bad breath, including:

• Seasonal allergies
• Respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis
• Long-term (chronic) sinus infections
• Postnasal drip
• Diabetes
• Chronic acid reflux
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Chronic lung infection
• Liver or kidney problems

There are some quick and easy ways to banish bad breath. Just remember, the odor from what you eat can stick around until the food works its way completely out of your system – up to 3 days later!

Bad breath can be reduced or prevented if you:

• Brush and floss more often. Practice good oral hygiene. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to remove food debris and plaque. Brush your teeth after you eat. (Keep a toothbrush at work or school to brush after lunch.) Replace your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months or after an illness. Trapped food also adds to the problem. Use floss or an interdental cleaner to remove food particles and plaque between teeth at least once a day.
• Rinse your mouth out. A mouthwash adds extra protection by getting rid of bacteria. You can also help your breath if you swish your mouth with plain water after you eat. It can help to at least loosen up and free those trapped bits of food particles that get stuck in your teeth.
• Scrape your tongue. The coating that normally forms on your tongue can be a host for smelly bacteria. Tongue scrapers are designed specifically to apply even pressure across the surface of the tongue area and clear any buildup.
• Avoid foods that sour your breath. Onions and garlic are big offenders. But brushing after you eat them doesn’t help.
• Skip after-dinner mints and chew gum instead. The bacteria in your mouth love sugar. They use it to make acid. This wears down your teeth and causes bad breath. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking on sugarless candy also stimulates the production of saliva, which helps wash away food particles and bacteria. Gums and mints containing xylitol are best.
• Keep your gums healthy. Antiseptic mouthwash can help kill bacteria that cause bad breath and plaque that can lead to gingivitis, an early, mild form of gum disease.
• Moisten your mouth. You can get tooth decay and bad breath if you don’t make enough saliva. If your mouth is dry, drink plenty of water during the day. You can also try a humidifier at night to moisten the air in your house.
• Keep your dental devices clean. Dentures should be removed at night and cleaned thoroughly before being placed in your mouth the next morning. Clean braces and retainers as directed by your dentist.
• See your dentist regularly – at least twice a year. They will do an oral exam and professional teeth cleaning and will be able to find and treat periodontal disease, dry mouth, or other problems that may be the cause of bad breath.
• Stop smoking and chewing tobacco-based products. Ask your dentist for tips on kicking the habit.
• Eat more fruits and vegetables and less meat. Apples, carrots, celery, and other hard fruits and vegetables help clear odor-causing plaque and food particles from your mouth.
• Keep a log of the foods you eat. If you think they may be causing bad breath, bring the log to your dentist to review. Similarly, make a list of the medications you take. Some drugs may play a role in creating mouth odors.

In most cases, your dentist can treat the cause of bad breath.

If your dentist determines that your mouth is healthy and the odor is not of oral origin, you may be referred to your family doctor or to a specialist to determine the odor source and treatment plan. You can go over a list of your medications with them to see if any of them could be adding to the problem. Work with them to keep diabetes, allergies, and other conditions under control.

If the odor is due to gum disease, for example, your dentist can either treat the disease or refer you to a periodontist, a dentist who specializes in treating gum conditions.

An antiseptic mouthwash can help eliminate bacteria that cause bad breath. For dry mouth, your dentist might recommend artificial saliva. Ask your dentist about which product is best for you.

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Five ways to treat bleeding gums

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• Gum Health Check
• About gum disease
  • Symptoms of gum disease
  • Causes of gum disease
  • Stages of gum disease
• Product catalog
  • Daily Toothpaste
  • Daily Mouthwash
  • Daily Toothbrush
• Taking care of your gums
  • Eight special properties of toothpaste Parodontax complex protection extra fresh
  • How to prevent bleeding gums while brushing your teeth
  • Why do you need dental floss?
  • How a dentist can help treat gum disease
  • What is professional teeth cleaning?
  • Dentist advice on oral care for gum pain at home
  • How to prevent bleeding gums
  • How to choose a toothbrush
• News
  • How to keep your gums and teeth healthy every day
  • Can gums grow back after a recession?
  • Signs and symptoms of gingivitis to look out for
  • What causes gum disease?
  • Stomatitis
  • Healthy lifestyle – healthy gums
  • What is oral candidiasis?
  • What is periodontitis?
  • Braces, retainers and bleeding gums: the facts
  • How to treat gum disease
  • Simple tips to get rid of bad breath
  • Gum disease: fact or fiction?
  • Five ways to treat bleeding gums
  • The six main culprits of bad breath
  • Don’t let gum disease keep you from enjoying life

• Gum Health Check
• About gum disease
  • Symptoms of gum disease
  • Causes of gum disease
  • Stages of gum disease
• Product catalog
  • Daily Toothpaste
  • Daily Mouthwash
  • Daily Toothbrush
• Taking care of your gums
  • Eight special properties of toothpaste Parodontax complex protection extra fresh
  • How to prevent bleeding gums while brushing your teeth
  • Why do you need dental floss?
  • How a dentist can help treat gum disease
  • What is professional teeth cleaning?
  • Dentist advice on oral care for gum pain at home
  • How to prevent bleeding gums
  • How to choose a toothbrush
• News
  • How to keep your gums and teeth healthy every day
  • Can gums grow back after a recession?
  • Signs and symptoms of gingivitis to look out for
  • What causes gum disease?
  • Stomatitis
  • Healthy lifestyle – healthy gums
  • What is oral candidiasis?
  • What is periodontitis?
  • Braces, retainers and bleeding gums: the facts
  • How to treat gum disease
  • Simple tips to get rid of bad breath
  • Gum disease: fact or fiction?
  • Five ways to treat bleeding gums
  • The six main culprits of bad breath
  • Don’t let gum disease keep you from enjoying life

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1. If you see blood in your saliva while brushing your teeth or notice any other possible sign of gum disease, contact your dentist as soon as possible. Never wait until you have serious problems. Regular check-ups with your dentist can help you detect and treat symptoms of gum disease before they get worse.
2. Brush your teeth for at least two minutes twice a day with a manual or electric toothbrush with a small head and round, soft bristles. Try not to put too much pressure on the brush and brush it all over your mouth in a circular or elliptical motion. We recommend changing your toothbrush every three months.
3. Using dental floss or an interdental brush helps remove food particles and bacterial plaque in hard-to-reach places, such as between teeth. Floss twice a day, preferably right before brushing your teeth.
4. Use a fluoride toothpaste specially formulated to fight plaque bacteria that can cause gum irritation and disease. For example, Parodontax toothpaste physically eliminates bacterial buildup and is 4 times more effective at treating the root cause of bleeding gums than regular toothpaste*.
5. An unhealthy, low-nutrient diet can make teeth and gums more vulnerable. The gums of smokers are also more prone to infection. A healthy lifestyle and good nutrition will help keep your body, including your gums, in good condition.

*Removes 4 times more plaque (a leading cause of bleeding gums) after professional dental cleaning in the dentist’s office followed by 2 brushings per day, compared to regular sodium bicarbonate-free toothpaste. Overview of the company GSK. “Efficacy and Tolerability Study of Toothpaste Containing Sodium Bicarbonate”. 2015

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You can report an undesirable effect or a complaint about the quality of the product by tel. (044) 585-51-85 or e-mail: [email protected].

Bad breath – how to get rid of bad breath?

The role of smell in life cannot be overestimated. Remember how easily your impression of a person can change when they get closer. Whether we like it or not, we always pay attention to the smell of another person, and the other also evaluates us. One of the most “uncomfortable” topics related to smell is the smell from the mouth. It is she who causes the most complexes and anxiety.

Did you know that there is even a special name for a strong baseless fear of bad breath from one’s own mouth – halitophobia.

If we are talking about terms, then in the professional slang of dentists, bad breath is called halitosis. We asked the dentists of the KANO clinic network about the causes of bad breath and how to get rid of it. After all, in order to understand how to fix a problem, you first need to understand its origin.

Causes of bad breath

The first and most important source of bad breath is plaque and food debris in the mouth. Moreover, plaque accumulates not only around the teeth, near the gums, in natural pits on the chewing surface of the teeth. Also, plaque remains between the villi of the tongue. And a lot of plaque remains between the teeth, in areas inaccessible to the brush – and this plaque also smells! Therefore, brushing with toothpaste alone will not save you from unpleasant odors; dental floss (floss) is also needed here. It is equally important that if we forget about dental floss, we risk getting contact caries.

What contact caries looks like

How can I tell if my breath smells?

By the way, one of the most reliable ways to check how your breath smells is to run a floss between your teeth and evaluate its smell. After all, the usual way for many people to fold their palms like a boat, bring them to their nose and exhale, obviously, does not work. Therefore, it is better not to wait until the interlocutor, blushing, offers chewing gum – but to find out for yourself.

In addition, inflamed gums, teeth with massive carious cavities, pulpit teeth and teeth that have been destroyed to the level of the gums create a very strong unpleasant odor. Therefore, sanitation of the oral cavity (therapeutic treatment, removal of decayed teeth and their restoration with implants) is the key to fresh breath and overall health.

Other causes of bad breath

Less common causes of halitosis are diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract (sinusitis) or diabetes mellitus. In diabetes, metabolism is disturbed, fats are broken down to ketone bodies, which provoke a specific smell from the mouth – the smell of acetone. Inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract or ENT organs can also give themselves out in the exhaled air. Therefore, if you brush your teeth with all responsibility and zeal, and your dentist does not find problems in your mouth, then you may need to consult a gastroenterologist, ENT or endocrinologist.

Another reason for bad breath can be adherence to a strict protein diet (keto diet). By restricting carbohydrates in food, a person changes his metabolism: there is an increased separation of those same ketone bodies and, as a result, acetone. This leads to not the most pleasant smell from the mouth, it is compared to the smell of rotten apples. There is reason to wonder how healthy such food is.

Do not forget about cigarettes. During smoking, resins settle on the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract, disrupt the acid-base balance, moisten the oral cavity, and thereby contribute to the happy life of bacteria. And where there are bacteria, there is an unpleasant odor.

Ways to get rid of bad breath

Now that you know where bad breath comes from, ask yourself how often this problem bothers you. Bad breath can be short-lived, such as after a garlic bun, onion salad, or after a cup of coffee.

Have you noticed that after drinking coffee, the smell of your mouth changes a lot? The fact is that coffee “dries out” the oral mucosa and contributes to an increase in the number of bacteria. Less saliva – bacteria are not “washed” from the teeth and continue to multiply successfully there. In addition, the milk, cream, and sugar that make coffee so appealing to us are also very popular with the microorganisms in our mouths.

A smoker is accompanied by a specific smell: clothes, hair, fingers and even breath smell of cigarettes. Therefore, a smoker often tries to “drown out” the symptom, get rid of the smell with chewing gum – without trying to cope with the very root cause.

But what if the problem of bad breath haunts a person for years? In this case, you first need to make sure that everything is in order with home oral hygiene. If you have any doubts about whether you are taking care of your teeth correctly, it is better to consult a dentist.

Do you know how to choose a toothbrush, paste and floss?

But if you brush and paste your teeth, floss and use a tongue brush, and the smell is still there, then there is probably a deeper reason.