Bad Breath, in the medical term, is called halitosis. It is an outcome of various reasons and can often result in acute dental problems. Some of the common reasons for bad breath are poor dental hygiene habits, some types of food intake, and certain unhealthy lifestyle habits. Although there are many steps to prevent and treat halitosis at home or with your dentist’s help, it is still advised to stop the causes in the first place. It may help you to avoid severe effects on your dental care. 

This blog will understand the causes, damages, and cures of bad breath for our overall awareness and avoid the problem with optimum care. 

HEALTH PROBLEMS CAUSING BAD BREATH

Persistent or regular bad breath problem in the mouth is an alarming symptom of gum (periodontal) disease. These problems cause plaque to settle on the teeth and drive bacterial growth. Bacteria then develops into toxins for the teeth causing immense problems and irritation in the gums. Furthermore, if left untreated, it can damage the gums and jawbone. 

Another severe medical condition is dry mouth. Saliva is responsible for moistening the oral region, neutralizing the acids secreted by plaque, and swaying away dead cells accumulated on the tongue, gums, and cheeks. If not taken out timely, these cells decompose and result in bad breath.

Many problems, diseases, and illnesses can cause bad breath, which includes:

• Seasonal allergies
• Respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis
• Long-term (chronic) sinus infections
• Postnasal drip
• Diabetes
• Chronic acid reflux
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Chronic lung infection
• Liver or kidney problems

FOOD AFFECTING BREATH

As we all know, the food we eat is chewed and swallowed from our mouths. The first step of breaking the food items starts from our oral region. Moreover, all the food is soaked or absorbed into your bloodstream from your mouth and then is transferred to the lungs, affecting the air that our body exhale. If the food we intake has strong odours (like garlic or onions), brushing and flossing or even medicated mouthwash can hardly permanently cover the smell. They may subside it to a certain extent but completely vanish it. Some of the examples of these types of common foods that can cause bad breath are:

• Cheese
• Pastrami
• Certain spices
• Orange juice or soda
• Alcohol

POOR DENTAL HEALTHCARE HABITS CAUSE BAD BREATH

If a person is lazy to brush or floss their teeth daily, naturally, everything consumed through the mouth remains in the oral region. These food particles enhance bacterial growth between teeth, around the gums, and on the tongue. It is another reason for bad oral breath. Smoking or chewing tobacco-based products are again one of the leading causes of bad breath, stained or black teeth, and causes irritation to your gums.

PREVENTING BAD BREATH

Following are some of the quick, effective, and easy ways to abandon bad breath from your mouth.

Good oral hygiene.

Brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day helps you remove plaque and other cell-damaging particles. Brush your teeth after you eat, and remember always to use a tongue scraper to clean your tongue. If brushing is not possible every time, you eat, try to rinse your mouth with water to at least loosen up and free those trapped bits. Change your toothbrush every two months or after an illness. Use an antibacterial mouthwash twice a day for fresh breath and deep cleaning.

Visit your dentist at regular intervals.

Plan a visit to your dentist every 3-4 months. These doctors are only for your dental care. They will deeply examine your oral health and help you with professional teeth cleaning. In case of any damage to your teeth, they can help you resolve your problem prior and help to reduce the ailments caused by ignorance.

Skip after-dinner mints and chew gum instead. 

Sugar-free chewing gums can be of great help than after-dinner mints. It may keep your mouth prone to plaque and bacteria and eventually causes terrible breath. As bacteria love a sugary mouth, try to avoid acid and bacteria-attracting products after dinner. 

More water, more freshness

With good water intake, your body and mouth remain hydrated. Therefore, water is the best healer and preventer of bad breath and other oral problems. It helps you to rejuvenate and refresh your mouth with proper moisture.

Switch to healthy fruits and vegetables.

Good food and fruits will help you avoid ulcers and refresh your mouth with a pleasing odour. Eat more fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, celery, and other helpful vegetables to help clear odour-causing plaque and food particles from your mouth.

Analyse your eating habit.

Keep a record of the food items you eat on a regular basis. In case you are doubtful if they may be causing bad breath, bring the record to your dentist to review and analyse the pattern. In the same way, make a record of all the medications you take. Some drugs can also be responsible for creating foul mouth odours. 

Get rid of smoking.

Smoking or chewing tobacco-based products are harmful to health and damage your oral health immensely. It not only causes dental problems but also increases the risk of various diseases in your mouth. Avoid or just quit smoking for optimum health benefits.

TREATMENT OF BAD BREATH

In most cases, a good dentist can definitely treat and understand the cause of bad breath. All you need is to ensure that you disclose every detail to your dentist and share the schedule of your eating habits too. Proper hygienic procedures will also be of great help to avoid bad breath and help you to refresh your mouth to the fullest. 

With proper analysis, your dentist can judge the cause. If, for example, the reason for the lousy odour of your mouth is due to gum disease, your dentist can either resolve the disease or refer you to a periodontist, who is a dentist specialized in treating gum conditions.