Bad breath is an annoying problem for many people. While some people worry a lot about this issue, even if they have little bad breath, some people may not notice their own bad breath. In the presence of bad breath, first of all, oral and dental hygiene habits should be reviewed. Here are the ways to get rid of bad breath for you!
Causes of bad breath
The causes of bad breath can be listed as follows:
Foods: The breakdown of food particles accumulating in the middle or around the teeth can increase bacteria and cause a foul odor. Consuming certain foods such as onions, garlic and spices can also cause bad breath.
Tobacco products: Smoking causes undesirable bad breath. Smokers and users of other tobacco products are more likely to have gum disease, another source of bad breath.
Inadequate dental care: In individuals who do not brush and floss regularly, food particles stay in the mouth and cause bad breath. If the bacterial plaque on the teeth is not removed, it can irritate the gums and eventually form plaque-filled pockets in the middle of the teeth and gums. Language can also trap odor-producing bacteria. Dentures that are not systematically cleaned or fitted properly may harbor bacteria and food particles that cause odour.
Dry mouth: Saliva helps to clean the mouth by removing particles that cause bad odor. In dry mouth, which is called xerostomia in the medical language, bad breath may increase due to decreased saliva production. Dry mouth occurs naturally during sleep, leading to the nasty mouth odor normally observed in humans in the morning.
Infections in the mouth: Wounds in the mouth after oral and maxillofacial surgery, such as tooth extraction, may cause a foul odor. Apart from that, tooth decay and gum diseases also cause nasty odors.
How to get rid of bad breath?
The practices you can do at home to reduce or prevent bad breath are as follows:
Brushing teeth after meals: You should have a toothbrush with you to use after eating, not only at home but also outside or at work. You should brush at least twice a day, especially after meals, using a fluoride-containing toothpaste. It has been shown by studies that toothpastes with antibacterial properties reduce nasty odors.
Floss at least once a day: Accurate flossing removes food particles and plaque from your teeth and helps control bad breath.
Brushing the tongue: Language, like teeth, harbors bacteria, so brushing carefully can reduce odors. Smokers or those with dry mouth are more prone to have a tongue that is covered by bacteria, so it is beneficial for such individuals to use a special tongue scraper. Alternatively, a toothbrush with built-in language cleaner can be used.
Cleaning dentures or dental appliances: If you wear bridges or dentures, you should clean them at least once a day or as often and as directed by your dentist. Your dentist can recommend you the most adequate cleanness artifacts.
Avoiding dry mouth: You need to keep your mouth moist, for this you can avoid tobacco products and consume more water. You should limit beverages such as coffee, soft drinks, or alcohol that can lead to a drier mouth. You can chew sugarless gum to stimulate saliva.
