Bad breath, medically called halitosis, can be due to poor dental health habits and can be a sign of other health problems. Bad breath can also be made worse by the types of foods you eat and other unhealthy lifestyle habits. You can take steps to prevent and treat bad breath at home and with the help of your dentist or doctor.
How does food affect the breath?
Basically everything that is eaten starts to break down in the mouth. Food is also absorbed into your bloodstream and travels to your lungs, which affects the air you exhale. If you eat strong-smelling foods (like garlic or onions), brushing and flossing – even mouthwash – only temporarily mask the smell. The smell won’t go away completely until the food has passed your body. Other common foods that can cause bad breath include:
- cheese
- Pastrami
- Certain spices
- Orange juice or lemonade
- alcohol
Likewise, dieters who do not eat often enough can experience bad breath. When your body breaks down fat, the process releases chemicals that can give your breath an unpleasant odor.
Why do bad habits cause bad breath?
Failure to brush and floss your teeth daily can leave food debris in your mouth and encourage bacterial growth between your teeth, around the gums, and on the tongue. This causes bad breath. Inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) due to poor dental hygiene can also lead to bad breath.
In addition, odor-causing bacteria and food particles can cause bad breath if the dentures are not cleaned properly.
Smoking or chewing tobacco-based products can also cause bad breath, stain teeth, decrease your ability to taste food, and irritate your gums.
What are the health problems associated with bad breath?
Persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth can be a warning sign of gum disease (periodontal disease). Gum disease is caused by the buildup of plaque on your teeth. Bacteria cause toxins that irritate the gums. If left untreated, gum disease can damage the gums and jawbone.
Other dental causes of bad breath include poorly fitting dental appliances, yeast infections in the mouth, and tooth decay.
Dry mouth (also called xerostomia) can also cause bad breath. Saliva is necessary to moisten the mouth, neutralize acids produced by plaque, and wash away dead cells that accumulate on the tongue, gums, and cheeks. If not removed, these cells break down and can cause bad breath. Dry mouth can be a side effect of various medications, salivary gland problems, or continuous breathing through the mouth. In fact, the morning breath is worse for people who sleep with their mouths open.
Many other illnesses and diseases can cause bad breath, including:
What can I do to prevent bad breath?
There are some quick and easy ways to get rid of bad breath. Keep in mind that the smell of what you eat can linger on until the food has worked completely out of your system – up to 3 days later!
Bad breath can be reduced or prevented if you:
- Practice good oral hygiene. Brush with fluoride toothpaste twice a day to remove food debris and plaque. Brushing your teeth after eating (keep a toothbrush at work or school to brush after lunch). Don’t forget to brush your tongue too or use a tongue scraper. Bacteria on your tongue can contribute to bad breath. If you can’t brush after a meal, rinse your mouth well with water to at least loosen it up and free the trapped parts. Replace your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months or after an illness. Use dental floss or an interdental cleaner once a day to remove food debris and plaque from between teeth. Rinse twice a day with an antibacterial mouthwash. Antiseptic mouthwashes can kill bacteria that cause bad breath and plaque that can lead to gingivitis, an early, mild form of gum disease. Adding a fluoride conditioner to your daily routine can help prevent tooth decay. Dentures should be removed at night and cleaned thoroughly before putting them in the mouth the next morning. Clean braces and retainers as instructed by your dentist.
- Go to the dentist regularly – at least twice a year. They will perform an oral exam and professional teeth cleaning, and will be able to find and treat periodontal disease, dry mouth, or other problems that can be the cause of bad breath.
- Quit smoking and chewing tobacco products. Ask your dentist for tips on how to give up the habit.
- Drink lots of water. This will keep your mouth moist. Chewing sugar-free gum or sucking sugar-free sweets also stimulates saliva production, which helps wash away food particles and bacteria. Chewing gums and mints that contain xylitol are best.
- Eat more fruits and vegetables and less meat. Apples, carrots, celery, and other hard fruits and vegetables help remove odor-causing plaque and food particles from your mouth.
- Keep a log of the foods you eat. If you suspect they are causing bad breath, take the log to your dentist for review. Similarly, make a list of the medications you are taking. Some medications can play a role in causing bad breath.
Who Treats Bad Breath?
In most cases, your dentist can address the cause of bad breath.
If your dentist determines that your mouth is healthy and the odor is not oral, you may be referred to your primary care doctor or a specialist to determine the source of the odor and the treatment plan. You can go over a list of your medications with them to see if any of them could be contributing to the problem. Work with them to keep diabetes, allergies, and other medical conditions under control.
For example, if the odor is due to gum disease, your dentist can either treat the condition or refer you to a periodontist, a dentist who specializes in treating gum disease.
What products can I use to get rid of bad breath?
An antiseptic mouthwash can help remove bacteria that cause bad breath. If you have a dry mouth, your dentist may recommend artificial saliva. Ask your dentist which product is best for you.
Comments are closed.