Goodbye bad breath: how to understand and eliminate the causes effectively
Have you ever wondered why your breath isn’t as fresh as you’d like it to be? Bad breath, also known as halitosis, can have various causes and is a common problem that affects many people.
The good news: There are many ways to fight and prevent bad breath. Read on and discover how you can regain fresh breath!
What are the most common causes of bad breath?
First of all: Having bad breath from time to time, for example in the morning after waking up, is completely normal but can be avoided with good oral hygiene. However, if the unpleasant odour in your mouth lasts longer, there may be various reasons for this.
The most common causes of halitosis are listed below:
Bacteria in the mouth: The most common cause of bad breath is bacteria that accumulate in the oral cavity. These produce sulphur compounds which cause an unpleasant odour.
Dry mouth: A dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, can also lead to bad breath. Saliva helps to wash away food residues and bacteria. With a dry mouth, less saliva is produced, which in turn increases the growth of bacteria.
Certain food: Food such as onions, garlic and certain spices can cause bad breath. This food contains strong-smelling substances which, after digestion, enter the bloodstream and finally the lungs, where they are released when exhaled.
Dental and oral diseases: Gum disease, tooth decay and other oral infections are common causes of bad breath. Bacteria in infected gums or tooth decay, for example, produce unpleasant odours.
Smoking: Smoking and the use of other tobacco products cause distinctive bad breath and dry out the mouth.
Diseases: Some systemic diseases such as diabetes, liver or kidney disease can cause an unpleasant odour in the mouth. In such cases, it is important to treat the illness accordingly.
How can you get rid of bad breath?
When your breath is so bad that you could use it to chase away mosquitoes, then it is high time for you to take action!
All joking apart, bad breath can be really embarrassing and unpleasant for your family and fellows. Some persons might keep conversations deliberately short or distance themselves from you in personal conversations.
However, there are many methods for effective prevention of bad breath. Here are some of them:
Thorough oral hygiene: Good oral hygiene is key to fighting bad breath.
Brush your teeth at least twice a day, preferably with a natural toothpaste containing fluoride.
Use dental floss to remove food debris and plaque from between your teeth. Don’t forget to clean your tongue from time to time, as a lot of bacteria can accumulate there.
Regular visits at the dentist: Visit your dentist at least twice a year for a check-up and professional oral hygiene. Sounds exhausting? But it’s worth it! Because your dentist can recognise and treat dental problems such as tooth decay or gum disease at an early stage. This can help to fight bad breath.
Always stay nice and fluid: A dry mouth can cause bad breath as there is less saliva to wash away bacteria. Drink plenty of water to keep your mouth moisturized. Sugar-free chewing gum or sweets can also stimulate saliva production.
Proper diet: Certain foods such as onions, garlic and spicy food can cause unpleasant odours from the mouth. Try to reduce these types of food or use natural breath fresheners such as parsley or peppermint leaves after you have eaten them.
Quit smoking: Smoking and the consumption of tobacco products not only cause bad breath, but also damage the gums and dry out the mouth. Although quitting smoking may be difficult, it will not only improve your breath, but also your oral health in general.
Use mouthwashes: Antibacterial mouthwashes can help reduce the number of bacteria in your mouth and therefore fight bad breath. Make sure to choose a mouthwash that is effective against bad breath.
Have diseases treated: If you have bad breath despite good oral hygiene and the measures mentioned above, it could be due to a disease.
Diabetes, liver or kidney disease can cause an unpleasant odour in the mouth. In such cases, it is important to consult a doctor and treat the relevant illness.
However: Let’s not paint the devil on the wall right away. In many cases, good oral hygiene and proven household remedies may help. You can learn more about these in the next section.
What home remedies can be used against bad breath?
“There’s an herb for everything” – you may remember this saying from your grandmother.
Natural household remedies can indeed be effective in fighting bad breath: Green tea, biting into a piece of lemon, chewing parsley or mint in toothpaste can help to eliminate unpleasant odours in the mouth.
A little insider’s tip: mix apple cider vinegar with water (1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to 2 tablespoons of water) and rinse the mixture in your mouth for 20 seconds. This helps to reduce bacteria and prevents unpleasant odours.
How can you prevent bad breath?
As already mentioned, the best and most effective long-term remedy for bad breath is good oral hygiene.
Brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes. Use high-quality toothbrushes and change them regularly, approximately every two months.
Floss daily and go to the dentist and for professional oral hygiene twice a year.
Tried and tested home remedies such as a mouthwash made from apple cider vinegar and water or biting into a lemon and chewing parsley and mint can also help to prevent unpleasant odours from the mouth.
When is a visit to the doctor recommendable?
A visit to the doctor is advisable if the bad breath persists despite good oral hygiene and preventive measures and if there is no recognizable cause.
A visit to the dentist is also recommended if there are accompanying symptoms such as dry mouth, pain, swelling or an unusual taste in the mouth. A doctor should also be consulted if dental and oral diseases or systemic illnesses are suspected.
By seeking medical help in time, you can effectively fight bad breath and improve your overall health.
