Oral Care

Have you ever been self-conscious about your bad breath when speaking to someone? Halitosis, or bad breath, is an unpleasant smell that comes from the mouth when a person exhales. Poor dental hygiene, certain foods, health problems, or habits like smoking may all contribute to it. In this blog, we will discuss the major five causes of bad breath in detail.

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1. Poor oral hygiene

Dentists cite poor oral hygiene as the primary cause of bad breath. You should start your oral hygiene with proper brushing and flossing.  Food particles may remain in your mouth and cause foul breath if you don’t brush and floss every day. Chances are high that these food fragments may get caught between your teeth. As a result,   germs grow there and emit a foul smell.  

Further, plaque, a sticky layer of bacteria, accumulates on your teeth during the day. It can irritate your gums and cause plaque-filled spaces between your teeth and gums. If you do not remove it by brushing, it will cause bad breath.

It’s likely that bacteria thrive on the surface of your tongue and cause unpleasant odors. These microorganisms may be present in your tongue’s little ridges and bumps. These bacteria can produce sulfur compounds that are the causes of bad breath if you do not eliminate them. Therefore, it’s crucial to frequently clean your tongue to get rid of the bacteria that cause odor.

In addition, if you are using dentures, cleaning them properly is crucial for oral hygiene. Dentures that are not properly cleaned and fitted might trap food particles and bacteria that cause an unpleasant odor. To avoid this, regular cleaning and good fit are essential. looking for a dental clinic in Tvm

2. Dry mouth can cause bad breath

Do you frequently have a dry or sticky feeling in your throat? It may signal that you have a  dry mouth. A dry mouth is one of the prime causes of bad breath.  

Saliva is essential for maintaining oral hygiene because it cleans the mouth, kills bacteria, and promotes digestion. A dry mouth occurs when there is insufficient saliva production.    A variety of conditions including drug side effects, issues with the salivary glands, or mouth breathing can cause dry mouth. Saliva helps to wash away food residue and germs in the mouth that can produce unpleasant odors. Hence the absence of saliva or dry mouth results in bad breath. Additionally, a dry mouth creates an environment that encourages the development of anaerobic bacteria and acidity. Consequently, it aggravates foul breath.

3. You may be ignoring some medical conditions.

Certain medical conditions can cause bad breath. These problems interfere with the body’s normal functions. For instance, throat and sinus infections can be two causes of bad breath. These conditions may cause a throat smell that may be mistaken for regular bad breath. Additionally, inflammation and drainage from sinus and throat infections can also contribute to bad breath.

Further, liver disease can also be a cause of bad breath. Liver malfunction interferes with the liver’s capacity to eliminate toxins. As a result, chemicals accumulate and produce a bad smell. Additionally, diabetes, kidney disease, and certain types of cancer can all cause bad breath.

 4. Certain food items can trigger bad breath.

 As soon as the food enters the mouth, it undergoes chemical and mechanical breakdown. After digestion, the bloodstream absorbs these food particles. Then they are carried to the lungs. These particles and the air that is inhaled interact, which may affect exhaled breath.

Thus certain foods you consume can cause bad breath. This is because they induce pungent smells that might stay in your mouth even after cleaning your teeth. For instance,   foods like onion or garlic have the potential to give you bad breaths until your body eliminates them.

In addition, consuming coffee or alcohol decreases the saliva and increases the bad breath-causing bacteria. Moreover, the dehydration effects of these drinks may cause a dry mouth and worsen bad breath.

5. Tobacco consumption is a recipe for bad breath

Tobacco is one of the prominent causes of bad breath. Products containing tobacco can harm the mouth in many ways and worsen bad breath. First of all, smoking may lead to dry mouth, which, results in foul breath. Additionally, tobacco consumption causes gum disease which is another cause of bad breath.

How can you keep the bad breath away?

  • Maintain good oral hygiene: Incorporate regular brushing and flossing. You should brush your teeth at least twice daily for at least 2 minutes to thoroughly clean all of their surfaces. Since bacteria like to live on your tongue, don’t forget to clean it.
  • Good hygiene with dentures: If you wear removable dentures, clean them thoroughly at night before the next use.
  • Regular dental checkups: Make a dentist visit if you’re concerned about the causes of your bad breath. Through routine examinations, your dentist will detect the underlying cause of bad breath. Thus, she will help you to address them before they worsen.
  • Quit smoking: If you have a bad habit of smoking, then quit. It saves you from bad breath. Moreover quitting smoking is important for your health.
  • Enhance the saliva flow: Increase the saliva production in the mouth by having food that requires more chewing. You can try fibrous foods, carrots, and apples. If you like chewing gum, then have a sugar-free one. Consequently, the saliva flow will wash out the bad breath-causing bacteria.

Conclusion

In conclusion, bad breath can be caused by numerous causes. However, poor oral hygiene is the prime cause of bad breath. Hence, making flossing and brushing part of your dental hygiene can prevent bad breath-causing bacteria from accumulating. Although there are numerous temporary fixes, such as over-the-counter mouthwashes, they only offer brief comfort. Therefore, to get a permanent cure for your bad breath, it’s important to speak with your dentist.

 

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