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What causes bad breath?

What causes bad breath?

Dentist Mina
November 2023
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3 min estimated readingtime

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is something that most people experience from time to time, but for some, it can be a bigger challenge. What causes it, and how can it be prevented and treated?

This article contains:

Causes of bad breath

What can you do to prevent and treat bad breath?

Causes of bad breath

There can be many reasons for bad breath, but one of the most common is poor oral hygiene. Bacteria that build up on the teeth, tongue, and between the teeth cause unpleasant odors. Other causes may include:

  • Dry Mouth: Saliva neutralizes and cleanses the mouth, protecting against disease and damage. Reduced saliva production can result from various medications, illnesses, or insufficient water intake.
  • Bad Breath After Alcohol: Alcohol can dehydrate the mouth and lead to bad breath. It can also cause acid reflux, which can contribute to unpleasant odors.
  • Medical Reasons: Certain cancers, liver failure, and other metabolic diseases can cause bad breath due to the specific mixture of chemicals produced in the body.
  • Food: Certain foods such as onions, dairy products, fatty foods, and coffee can contribute to bad breath. Additionally, the breakdown of food particles stuck between the teeth can also produce odors.
  • Tobacco: Smoking contributes to bad breath. The smoke often leaves a coating on the tongue, mucous membranes, and tooth surfaces, leading to unpleasant odors. This can be removed with good oral hygiene, but if a gray/black coating remains, a dental cleaning may be necessary. Smoking also increases the risk of developing periodontitis/gum disease, which can also cause bad breath.
  • Bad Breath During Fasting: Eating very little, especially carbohydrates, can lead to bad breath. This occurs because of the chemicals (ketones) the body produces when breaking down fat. These chemicals have a strong aroma that results in bad breath.

What can you do to prevent and treat bad breath?

The first, best, and easiest place to start in avoiding bad breath is to maintain good oral hygiene. This includes brushing your teeth twice a day, using dental floss or interdental brushes at least once a day, and daily cleaning of your tongue. Additionally, regular removal of tartar and professional cleanings of your teeth will help eliminate bad breath. With us, cleaning is, of course, included in your regular check-up. During an examination, we can also provide guidance on proper brushing techniques and the use of other aids such as interdental brushes and tongue scrapers. We also assess whether the breath may be due to gum disease. We also offer thorough cleaning as a separate treatment if you only want cleaning and nothing else. For some, more frequent cleaning may be necessary, and this is a good option.

Home measures you can take:

  • Change your toothbrush regularly: The toothbrush comes into contact with a large number of bacteria, both from the microenvironment in the mouth and the surrounding environment. Therefore, it is recommended to change your toothbrush at least every three months.
  • Keep the mucous membranes in your mouth moist: Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and tobacco. Chewing gum or sugar-free candies containing xylitol can help stimulate saliva production. If you are on medications that cause dry mouth as a side effect, talk to your doctor; there may be an alternative that works better for you.
  • Choose the right mouthwash: Many people choose a strong mouthwash that promises to eliminate unpleasant odors and bad breath. Some of these mouthwashes contain a lot of alcohol, which can dry out the mucous membranes further and may worsen the problem. If you want to use mouthwash for bad breath, zinc-containing mouthwashes are best at neutralizing the sulfur compounds from bacteria.

If good oral hygiene and dental cleaning do not help, there may be underlying conditions such as infections in the throat or gastrointestinal issues causing bad breath. In these cases, a doctor should be consulted for further evaluation.

Talk to us if you're struggling with bad breath. We are here to help you!

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