Have you ever been self-conscious about whether you have bad breath when speaking to someone up close?
Well, we’ve all been there, and most common causes can be easily fixed. Some things you might have tried (like breath mints) might be just masking bad breath and not dealing with the cause.
Bad breath, also known as halitosis, can be an embarrassing and uncomfortable problem to deal with and can affect your confidence in social situations. Bad breath is a common problem and can have a significant impact on your life. Usually, halitosis is mostly due to poor oral hygiene and less commonly to systemic disease.
We’re going to explore the common causes of bad breath, and we’ll also provide suggestions to fix the underlying cause. For you it might just be as simple as making some changes to your daily routine, like brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing regularly, and staying hydrated. So, if you’re tired of feeling self-conscious about your breath, read on to discover how you can get fresh breath by investing in your oral health and improving your overall well-being.
What Causes Bad Breath
A variety of different factors can cause bad breath. The most common causes, though, are poor oral hygiene, gum disease or tooth decay and dry mouth. Less common causes of bad breath are caused by a medical condition outside of your mouth e.g., sinus condition, throat infection or gut health. Other factors that may cause bad breath include eating strong flavoured foods, such as garlic or onion, drinking alcohol and smoking.
Bad breath is normal when you wake up and generally disappears after cleaning your teeth. There is less saliva produced when you’re asleep leaving you with a dry mouth. If you sleep with your mouth open, the issue can be worse. Saliva usually breaks food particles that allow odour-causing bacteria to grow. With the lack of saliva during sleep, you’re left with bacterial build-up that produces a bad smelling substance.
If bad breath continues throughout the day, it may be a sign of a dental or other health condition. If bad breath persists, see your dentist who can check your mouth for gum disease, tooth decay, infections etc. They will also give you advice about oral hygiene and if necessary, refer you to your doctor.
Poor Oral Hygiene
One of the most common causes of bad breath is poor oral hygiene. When food particles are not removed after eating, bacteria feed on this and produce a foul, sulphur like, smelling substance. If you wear dentures, bacteria can also cause bad breath if your dentures are not cleaned regularly. Bacteria thrive in the warm, moist environment of the mouth, and they can multiply quickly if you don’t remove them through proper oral hygiene. To deal with bad breath due to poor oral hygiene, brushing your teeth twice a day and cleaning between the teeth (floss, interdental brushes) at least once a day is essential.
Brushing and interdental cleaning remove food particles and bacteria from your mouth, keeping your breath fresh and your teeth healthy. Plus, using a tongue scraper to remove bacteria from your tongue can also help freshen your breath.
Food & Drink
Certain foods and drinks can also contribute to bad breath. Foods with strong odors, such as garlic and onions, tend to leave a lasting smell on your breath, even after brushing your teeth. Additionally, foods that are high in sugar and starch content can also promote the growth of bacteria in your mouth, thus contributing to bad breath. And, of course, alcohol and coffee are also prominent contributors to bad breath. These beverages can dry your mouth and reduce saliva production, which can, in turn, lead to an increase in bacterial growth. Therefore, to combat bad breath caused by food and drinks, it’s important to brush your teeth after meals and to drink plenty of water throughout the day to help flush out any bacteria from the mouth. You don’t necessarily need to avoid these altogether – maintaining proper oral hygiene will reduce the effect they have on your breath.
Smoking
Smoking has countless harmful effects, and one of these effects happens to be bad breath. Smoking and tobacco use are often associated with bad breath. You see, when you smoke, the smoke and chemicals from the tobacco stick to your teeth and tongue, causing a foul odour. Not to mention, smoking also dries out your mouth and reduces saliva.
Of course, quitting smoking is the best way to treat bad breath caused by this habit, however, if you’re not ready to quit, there are things you can do to reduce the impact on your oral health. We suggest brushing and flossing your teeth and tongue regularly, using an antibacterial mouthwash and sugar-free gum.
Dry Mouth
Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is a condition where there is a lack of saliva in the mouth. As discussed, saliva plays an important role in breaking down food and removing particles that cause bad odours. Smoking, alcohol, coffee, some medications and certain medical conditions can also contribute to dry mouth.
Other Dental and Health Conditions
Tooth decay, gingivitis, or periodontitis can be the cause of bad breath. Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) is a direct result of the build-up of plaque and bacteria in the mouth. As the disease progresses, it can lead to periodontitis, which is more serious and can result in, tooth loss, and other oral health problems.
Although less common, sinus infections, respiratory infections, and acid reflux can also cause bad breath. To deal with bad breath caused by medical conditions, it’s important to work with your doctor or dentist to address the underlying condition.
Tools to Beat Bad Breath
Now that we some of the causes of bad breath, we need tools to either prevent or treat the condition. So, if you’re struggling with bad breath, don’t worry – because there are plenty of things you can do to freshen your breath and improve your oral health. In fact, we’ve made a list of the top tips for minty fresh breath all day, every day:
Brush your teeth:
At least twice a day, and don’t forget to brush your tongue because bacteria can accumulate on your tongue too. And if you can, then brush after every meal. Also, take your time brushing your teeth – it should typically take you almost 3 minutes to thoroughly clean your mouth. So, don’t rush it.
Clean:
between your teeth to remove food particles and plaque. Use a dental pick after every meal and floss or use an interdental brush at least once every day. Your toothbrush only reaches 60% of the tooth surface, which is why you need traditional floss, water flosser or interdental brushes to get to the other 40%.
Mouthwash:
Use an antiseptic mouthwash without alcohol (alcohol is drying). The right mouthwash can freshen your breath, help reduce plaque and gingivitis as well as fight tooth decay. It’s important to understand that a mouthwash does not replace proper brushing and flossing.
Stimulate saliva production:
Since lack of saliva is one of the reasons for bad breath, you can use products containing xylitol that will stimulate saliva production, which would ultimately wash away harmful bacteria. Products containing hyaluronic acid (HA) are also beneficial as HA can attract up to 1000x their weight in water. HA will also help reduce the bacterial load in your mouth.
OH! Care Products to Improve Your Oral Health
When it comes to oral care products, there are plenty of options on the market, but they’re not all equal. OH! Care products address the cause of the problem instead of just masking it. The products are powered with the hyaluronic acid and xylitol as these ingredients have been scientifically proven to:
- Reduce harmful bacteria.
- Hydrate soft tissue.
- Promote wound healing.
- Reduce inflammation.
- Increase saliva flow.
- Reduce risk of tooth decay.
- Reduce risk of gum disease.
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