Bad breath is a familiar and unpleasant problem for many. It can get in the way of a good date, a job interview or a simple meeting with friends.
Bad breath is a familiar and unpleasant problem for many. It can get in the way of a good date, a job interview or a simple meeting with friends. Bad breath is most often caused by a lack of oral hygiene or the consumption of foods that give off a strong aroma, but it can also be a sign of more serious health problems.
There are many causes that can lead to bad breath. Many of them are quite harmless to health, but there are others that signal a serious risk.
Every person’s mouth is home to hundreds of different types of bacteria that can cause bad breath. The mouth is like a natural greenhouse where these bacteria have the perfect conditions to multiply. When a person eats a meal and then does not brush his or her teeth, the bacteria start to feed on the food residues that remain in the mouth. Once the bacteria have fed, they produce by-products that give off bad breath.
Do you feel like your mouth is dry? It may not be producing enough saliva. Saliva is very important to us because it works tirelessly around the clock to clean your mouth. If your saliva levels are insufficient, then your mouth’s natural cleansing function is on strike. Dryness can be caused by a variety of reasons: taking certain medications, problems with your salivary glands or breathing through your mouth.
Persistent bad breath can signal advanced gum disease. This is one of its main signs. Gum disease is usually caused by an excess of certain bacteria that stick to the teeth and form a thick layer of plaque. Gradually, the soft plaque hardens and becomes tartar. If plaque is not removed for a long time, it eventually leads to gingivitis. In this case, bad breath is not the worst symptom, as untreated inflammation leads to tooth loss.
Garlic, onions, coffee, beer … These are just some of the foods that cause bad breath. Fortunately, this bad breath is temporary and is not a signal of any serious disease. It’s just important to know that it’s better not to consume these foods before an important meeting or event.
Smoking not only causes bad breath, it also coats your teeth with an unaesthetic yellow colour and causes a number of serious health problems. Tobacco irritates the tissues of the mouth, increasing their sensitivity. People who smoke are much more likely to suffer from gum disease, which takes longer to heal. Because smoking affects the sense of smell, smokers are often unaware of unpleasant odours coming from their mouths.
If you brush your teeth conscientiously at home every day and your dentist has ruled out all possible dental causes of bad breath after examining you, it is possible that your bad breath is caused by other health problems, such as gastric reflux, a sinus condition, diabetes, or kidney or liver disease. In this case, it is important to visit your family doctor as soon as possible to find out the real cause of your bad breath.
If halitosis is caused by a disease, it should be treated as soon as possible. Bad breath is just one of the symptoms that act as an alarm in this case. To avoid more serious health consequences, you should see a doctor. But for all other cases where you want to have a fresh breath, use these tips.
Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste. Floss to remove any food debris that may be hiding in the gums, preventing the bacteria that cause bad breath from feeding and multiplying.
Many people forget to take care of their tongue when brushing their teeth. This is a big mistake, as it is the tongue that harbours the largest amount of bad breath-causing bacteria. If you stick your tongue out, you may see that it is covered with a white or brownish coating. That’s where they hide. Clean your tongue in longitudinal movements with a regular toothbrush or a special tongue brush.
Mouthwashes can help kill bacteria or reduce the amount of bacteria, thus masking bad breath, but this is only a temporary solution. The longer you don’t brush your teeth and remove food debris from your mouth, the worse the smell that comes out of your mouth becomes.
If you wear removable dentures, be sure to take them out at night and clean them thoroughly. The next morning, only put the clean dentures back in.
To increase the amount of saliva in your mouth, eat more healthy foods that require “serious” chewing. This could be carrots or apples. You can also chew sugar-free gum or suck on a sugar-free sweet. Your dentist may recommend artificial saliva in this case.
Yes, it’s difficult. But this bad habit is not just bad for your breath, it’s bad for your whole body. When you quit smoking, you will not only experience a more pleasant aroma, but you will also notice how quickly your overall health and quality of life improve.
If you are worried about your breath, make an appointment to see a dentist. Regular oral check-ups twice a year will detect problems such as gum disease or dry mouth at an early stage and prevent the progression of these diseases. If the dentist does not find the cause of bad breath in your mouth, then he or she will advise you to see your family doctor.
Questions? Do you want to consult a dentist? Contact us by phone: +370 615 66655 by email: info@dantumeistrai.lt
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