Bad breath, or halitosis, can be a persistent and perplexing issue that affects many individuals. If you’re on a quest to uncover the secrets behind bad breath, you’ve come to the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the causes, effective solutions, and tips to solve the mystery of bad breath once and for all.
Understanding the Enemy:
Bad breath isn’t just a social inconvenience; it could be an indicator of underlying oral health issues. Let’s understand the factors at play.
Your risk of bad breath is higher if you eat foods known to cause bad breath, such as garlic, onions and spices. Smoking, not keeping your mouth clean and some medicines also can play a part, as can dry mouth, infections of the mouth and some diseases. In addition, other conditions such as GERD or cancer can lead to bad breath.
Diagnosis:
Your dentist likely will smell the breath from your mouth and the breath from your nose and rate the odor on a scale of 1-5 (5 being the worst). Your dentist may also may scrape the back of the tounge to rate its odor.
Treatment:
You should regularly keep your mouth and teeth clean to reduce bad breath, avoid cavities and lower your risk of gum diseases.
You should regularly consult your dentist as the treatments for bad breath can vary on individual basis. If your dentist thinks another health condition is causing your bad breath, you likely will need to see your primary healthcare professional or a specialist.
Your dentist will work with you to help you better control bad breath caused by mouth issues. Dental measures may include:
- Mouth rinses and toothpastes. If your bad breath is due to a buildup of bacteria called plaque on your teeth, your dentist may recommend a mouth rinse that kills the bacteria. Your dentist also may recommend a toothpaste that contains an antibacterial agent to kill the bacteria that cause plaque buildup.
- Treatment of dental disease. If you have gum disease, your dentist may suggest that you see a gum specialist, known as a periodontist. Gum disease can cause gums to pull away from your teeth, leaving deep pockets that fill with odor-causing bacteria. Sometimes only professional cleaning removes these bacteria. Your dentist also might recommend replacing faulty fillings, a breeding ground for bacteria.
At home remedies:
To reduce or prevent bad breath you can adopt the following practices in your routine care:
- Brush your teeth after you eat. Keep a toothbrush at work to use after eating. Brush using a fluoride-containing toothpaste at least twice a day, especially after meals. Toothpaste with antibacterial properties has been shown to reduce bad breath.
- Floss at least once a day. Proper flossing removes food particles and plaque from between your teeth, helping to control bad breath.
- Brush your tongue. Your tongue collects bacteria, so carefully brushing it may reduce odors. A tongue scraper may help people who have a coated tongue from a major overgrowth of bacteria, such as from smoking or dry mouth. Or use a toothbrush that has a built-in tongue cleaner.
- Clean bridges, dentures, retainers and mouth guards. If you wear a bridge or a denture, clean it thoroughly at least once a day or as directed by your dentist. If you have a dental retainer or mouth guard, clean it each time before you put it in your mouth. Your dentist can recommend the best cleaning product.
- Keep your mouth moist. Stay away from tobacco and drink plenty of water. Don’t take in too much caffeine, spicy food or alcohol. All can dry out your mouth. Chew gum or suck on candy, preferably sugarless, to make more saliva. For constant dry mouth, your healthcare professional may prescribe an artificial saliva preparation or a medicine that you take by mouth that raises the flow of saliva.
- Change your diet. Stay away from foods such as onions and garlic that can cause bad breath. Eating a lot of sugary foods also is linked with bad breath.
- Replace your toothbrush. Change your toothbrush when it becomes frayed, about every 3 to 4 months or sooner as needed. Also, choose a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Schedule regular dental checkups. See your dentist regularly — generally twice a year. During these checkups, your dentist can look at your teeth or dentures and clean them.
By implementing the strategies outlined in this guide, you’re on your way to maintaining fresh and confident breath. Remember, good oral hygiene practices and a proactive approach to addressing underlying issues are your best allies in the ongoing battle against bad breath. Stay fresh, stay confident!
