How to get rid of bad breath

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Perhaps you are just drinking a little water.

Halitosis Halitosis (halitosis) is what doctors call bad breath. Up to 30% live with it. Bad breath: What causes it and what to do about it people. However, from time to time, everyone encounters the symptoms of halitosis: it is enough to eat garlic.

However, there are many more possible causes of Bad Breath in bad breath. Some of them require a mandatory consultation with a doctor.

What are the causes of bad breath

1. You ate something wrong

Some foods - garlic and onions, spices, broccoli, legumes, pungent cheeses, alcohol - contain volatile aromas (sulfur compounds) that enter the bloodstream. Together with the blood, these substances enter the lungs, and from them - into the exhaled air and saliva. This creates a persistent amber that does not disappear even if you brush your teeth thoroughly.

Fortunately, this type of halitosis goes away on its own - after the sulfur compounds are removed from the body.

2. You neglect oral hygiene

If you don't brush your teeth or floss at least once a day, the food left between your teeth starts to rot, which leads to odor. In addition, bacteria that have multiplied on the surface of the tongue can be the culprit for halitosis. Do not forget about regular cleaning.

3. You have tooth decay or gum disease

Food debris often accumulates in carious tooth cavities. In addition, bacteria feel comfortable there. In the process of life, they release hydrogen sulfide, which is why they breathe out with rotten eggs.

The same bacteria take root in the "pockets" between the surface of the tooth and the gum, which are formed in some diseases, such as periodontitis or gingivitis.

4. You are on a strict diet

A strict dietary framework bordering on a hunger strike can lead to the fact that the body begins to consume fat stored in it for such an occasion. When fat is broken down, the chemical ketones are released. They enter the bloodstream and then are excreted from the body in urine and respiration. This creates an unpleasant "acetone" smell.

5. You eat too much sweets

The bacteria in the mouth like sweets too. Therefore, if you overuse cakes and chocolate, a bad smell is the expected consequence of Bad Breath.

6. You suffer from dry mouth

Saliva cleans the mouth by flushing out foul-smelling particles and bacteria. If the mouth is dry, this mechanism does not work. Therefore, an unpleasant smell often appears after sleep - while we sleep, salivation slows down.

Also, don't be surprised if you:

• used to breathing through the mouth;
• sleep with your mouth open;
• don't drink enough liquid;
• nervous or chronic stress.

7. You smoke

Not only does tobacco itself smell bad, nicotine further impairs the process of saliva formation. The longer you smoke, the drier your mouth gets - with all the ensuing troubles.

8. You are taking medication

Medications worsen bad breath in two ways. Some penetrate into the bloodstream, and then their aromatic components are removed from the body with the help of respiration. Others reduce the production of saliva, which makes the mouth dry (and the bacteria that produce hydrogen sulfide are also comfortable).

These medicines include Halitosis (halitosis):

• diuretics (diuretics);
• antihistamines;
• tranquilizers;
• antidepressants;
• some remedies for the common cold.

9. You have a serious medical condition

Inflammation of the tonsils (tonsillitis), nasal mucosa, throat, sinuses (eg, sinusitis) can lead to bad breath. Also, halitosis occurs due to more serious diseases. It can be:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). She manifests herself as chronic heartburn.
• Ulcer, gastritis, intestinal dyskinesia and other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Diseases associated with metabolic disorders. This, for example, diabetes - it often makes itself felt with the smell of acetone.
• Diseases of the kidneys and liver.
• Certain types of cancer.

10. You just think

Sometimes people think they have a bad breath, although in fact their breath is odorless. This is pseudo-halitosis, or halitophobia, - the fear of bad breath.

Doctors attribute Psychosomatic problems in dentistry | SpringerLink Halitophobia to psychosomatic disorders.

How to get rid of bad breath

Make sure the smell is really there

Rospotrebnadzor experts recommend Halitosis (halitosis) several ways to find out how fresh your breath is:

• Ask a direct question about scent to the person with whom you have a close and trusting relationship.
• Take a teaspoon and run the convex side over your tongue. Wait a few seconds for the saliva on the spoon to dry, and then check the smell.
• Floss your teeth and then sniff it. The scent of the thread matches the scent of the mouth.
• Lick your clean wrist. Let the saliva dry and bring your wrist to your nose. The smell that you will feel is slightly weaker than that that others feel when communicating with you.

If you have not caught the unpleasant amber, but you are still sure that your mouth smells bad, talk about it with your dentist or therapist. You may have pseudo-halitosis. If so, you will be advised to see a psychotherapist.

Try to eliminate bad odor using express methods

• Brush your teeth and tongue. Remove food debris with dental floss.
• Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water or an alcohol-free pharmaceutical mouthwash. Ideal if the product has a bright scent, such as mint.
• Chew or drink something that smells strong. This is the quickest and easiest way to freshen your breath. Parsley, apple, orange, cinnamon, fennel and anise seeds, green or mint tea are good options. Although there has been no major home remedies for bad breath studies on the effectiveness of these remedies, they can mask unpleasant amber.
• Rinse your mouth with a solution of baking soda (2 teaspoons in a glass of warm water) or vinegar (2 tablespoons in a glass of warm water). This will reduce the number of bacteria.

Follow the rules of prevention

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss your teeth daily.
• Be sure to brush your tongue. To do this, you can buy a special scraper or use the embossed surface on the back of the toothbrush.
• Use an alcohol-free mouthwash after cleaning. Follow the instructions on the package.
• Change your toothbrush to a new one every 3-4 months. Choose options with soft or medium bristles.
• Drink enough fluids throughout the day to stay hydrated. The norm is 2.7 liters for women and 3.7 liters for men.
• If you feel dry, use over-the-counter oral moisturizers (sprays, gels, rinses).
• Chew gum or suck on lollipops from time to time (preferably without sugar) - they stimulate salivation.
• Do not smoke.
• Avoid foods that can ruin your breath like onions and garlic.
• Eat fewer sweets.
• Try not to get nervous.

What to do if bad breath comes up over and over again

See your doctor - dentist first.

According to Rospotrebnadzor's Halitosis (halitosis), in 90% of cases, halitosis is caused by caries or gum disease, even if you don't know about it.

In addition, the dentist will be able to assess how well you brush your teeth and, possibly, advise on the best oral hygiene products for your case.

If the dentist finds out that the problem is not their part, they will refer you to a therapist. He will conduct an examination, listen to your complaints, offer to take blood and urine tests and, based on the results, send you to a specialized specialist. For example, otolaryngologist, gastroenterologist, nephrologist, endocrinologist.