A problem that a large number of people face, and which undoubtedly affects self-confidence, social interactions, but also health, is the problem of bad breath. It may sound wrong to disgust the topic at the beginning of the text, but who else likes the stench from the mouth? Let’s call him by his real name.
Namely, bad odor, bad breath, bad breath and stomach, are just some of the synonymous phrases that are definitely not a favorite when we are the object in question.
To prevent this from happening, we need to make a cross-section of the condition and define what causes bad breath, whether its consequences are big or small, how it can be prevented, how to solve it when it occurs.
That is why we decided to dedicate this text to a topic that is very often explored even by those who have completely healthy teeth and take care of their own oral health.
General health
Halitosis – is a word that is not too familiar to us, but which describes the appearance of bad breath. What halitosis represents is just one of the steps to insecurity, and bad breath can cause problems such as anxiety.
It should come as no surprise that store shelves are flooded with chewing gum, mouthwashes, breath fresheners and other products designed to fight bad breath. We must keep in mind that these are products that only temporarily prevent the development of consequences, but do not deal with solving the causes of the problem.
Certain foods and consuming certain foods, as well as health conditions and habits can be leading among the causes of bad breath. In many cases, however, consistent dental and oral hygiene is a way to solve the problem of bad breath. However, if you notice that no self-help technique works, we recommend that you report halitosis to the dentist because the problems may lie somewhere deeper.
Symptoms of bad breath
Bad and unpleasant odor from the oral cavity varies depending on its source and the main cause of this problem.
It happens, of course, that people worry too much about their breath, even though they have an almost imperceptible smell from their mouth.
On the other hand, those who really have bad breath, sometimes do not even know what impression they leave in the environment. It is very difficult to notice what our breath really looks like, so it is not out of place to sometimes ask a friend or someone closer to assess your condition. It’s seemingly disgusting, but in larger societies it can help.
The question is often asked whether to go to the doctor because of bad breath problems. First of all, we advise you to comb your own oral hygiene habits. Changing individual habits and lifestyles is generally essential.
Constant brushing of teeth and tongue, flossing and interdental brushing, drinking water can prevent problems. If you see that nothing is changing for the better, we recommend that you still consult a dentist who can determine if the problem lies in a malfunction, disease or damage.
Causes of bad breath
Most bad breath problems start in the mouth and this is where a large number of causes lie.
Food is one of the common problems, because no matter how useful the food is in the process of growth and health of the organism, food that stays in the mouth, around the teeth or in decayed teeth, can cause and cause an unpleasant odor. Consuming foods such as onions, garlic, spices, foods with a strong taste, can increase the number of bacteria but also in themselves create a problem. These foods also affect the concentration of particles inside the body, so they can be the cause of heartburn or problems that originate from within.
Tobacco is definitely one of the bigger health problems, and when we talk about bad breath, smokers certainly have a greater chance of “smelling”. In addition, tobacco can cause gum disease, which is a source of bad breath.
Failure to take care of dental and oral hygiene makes the bacteria accumulate and the teeth begin the process of decay. If you do not brush your teeth every day and do not floss them, a colorless, sticky plaque will form on your teeth. Plaque can irritate the gums and eventually form pockets filled with plaque between the teeth and gums. The tongue can also be a source of bacteria that produce unpleasant odors. Dentures that are not cleaned regularly cause bad breath.
Dry mouth as a consequence of certain chronic diseases, the use of drugs that indirectly produce bad breath as well, infections in the mouth, are all causes of bad breath problems.
As for the condition of the mouth, nose and throat, we often talk about the problems that result from ENT infections. Namely, tonsillitis or sinusitis often causes bad breath to occur as a symptom that accompanies all these problems. Stomach acid as a consequence of a stomach ulcer or unadapted food can reach the oral cavity and cause bad breath, which will definitely not be pleasant to the environment, nor to yourself.
How to get rid of bad breath?
A topic that certainly deserves a lot of attention other than what causes bad breath is is also a topic on how to solve this problem. There are many ways, more or less effective, to solve bad breath problems. However, we must know that some tips cause more success for some, and not so much for others. That doesn’t mean you have to give up on the first ball.
If you are wearing a temporary prosthesis, we recommend that you remove it during the night, because it happens that bacteria “attack” just then.
Water is extremely important for the body. If you drink more water, and at the same time make sure that the water is colder and fresher, you will surely have fewer problems with bad breath. This is extremely important when it comes to the morning, because drinking water washes away bacteria that have accumulated at night. That is why we recommend that you first gargle a little water and spit it out, and only then drink it.
Brushing your teeth is certainly one of the most important issues when it comes to hygiene and smell. If you brush your teeth after every meal, and at the same time floss them at least twice a day, you reduce the possibility of them avoiding you in company.
The toothbrush needs to be replaced. Remember that. It is recommended to change the brush every 60 to 90 days, so respect that as much as possible. Wash your tongue. The tongue is a breeding ground for bacteria, and there is a special brush for it. Practice removing bacteria from the tongue.
Use mouthwash because it not only removes bacteria, but also helps keep you breathless for a while.
A natural path to a more pleasant breath
In addition to often resorting to chemicals or dealing with remediation instead of preventing the cause, we also give you a few bonus tips related to brushing your teeth and freshening your breath. To freshen the breath means to clean the oral cavity of bacteria, and there are countless possibilities in this regard.
- Cinnamon is known as an antibacterial spice. In addition, cinnamon has a pleasant smell, but remember not to overdo it. Namely, large amounts of cinnamon can lead to suffocation, so never take dry cinnamon in larger quantities in your mouth.
- Mint and aloe-based products will also help freshen your breath. This plant is known for killing fungi and bacteria, and here are ways to remove unpleasant odors. Peppermint essential oil can also help, and there are combinations of lemon and baking soda.
- Lemongrass or lemon balm can neutralize the smell, and you can also use concentrated oils of this ingredient.
- There are also cloves that smell a bit like a dental office, but can definitely kill colonies of bacteria that live in the mouth with their spicy taste. Salt water, orange peel, strawberries, and countless other gifts of nature can help you in the short term. The good news is that rinsing your mouth with green and mint tea can help. Repeat rinsing 2.3 times over several days in continuity and you will notice an improvement.
At the very end, we emphasize the importance of regular oral health checks, in order to prevent further problems.
Namely, although bad breath can sometimes only be an acute condition, keep in mind that it can become an indicator of bigger problems. Bad breath can be the initial stage of some diseases of the teeth or oral cavity, but also more serious diseases within the body. Therefore, if you feel that you have chronic problems with bad breath, we recommend and wholeheartedly support you to check the whole organism, and pay special attention to the digestive system.
When you are finally sure that everything is fine, and the breath disappears, you will be able to confidently and happily step into a new day with a cheerful face, a smile and without putting your hand to your mouth while talking.
If you have a dental problem, schedule appointment with Los Gatos Dentist, at Oak Meadow Dental Clinic.