An interlocutor who has bad breath is unpleasant. What are the causes, and how can we fight them?
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Table of Contents
Causes of Bad Breath
The causes of bad breath (the medical name of “halitosis”) are varied and often harmless.
- In over 85% of cases, bacteria living without oxygen are present in your mouth. As they decompose, they give off an unpleasant odor.
- Certain foods promote bad breath. The consumption of coffee, tobacco, alcohol, garlic, onion, cheeses, and cold meats is often responsible for the phenomenon.
- It can also be due to the gum’s inflammation (gingivitis) or even periodontitis. Periodontitis is a disease of the teeth’ supporting tissues, cavities, or an infection of the throat. Tonsils and sinuses.
- Other health problems can also cause bad breath: gastroesophageal acidity, stress (which dries out the mouth), diabetes, angina, liver or kidney disease, and even lung disorders are sometimes pointed out.
- Some medicines dry out the mouth and increase the risk of bad breath. It is mainly the case with pain relievers, antidepressants, antihistamines, anti-inflammatories, diuretic drugs, muscle relaxants, and narcotics.
- Your lifestyle can also be the cause of bad breath. Breathing through the mouth or swallowing food without chewing generates terrible odors. Incomplete digestion, fasting, and aging can have the same effect.
Bad Breath in The Morning
The famous morning breath is simply due to a reduction in the production of saliva during the night. And if you snore, your mouth will dry up more.
Symptoms
It’s easy to tell if you have bad breath. A bad taste in your mouth will immediately tell you about the situation.
To make sure your breath is fresh, all you have to do is put your hands up in your mouthpiece and smell the scent that emanates from your oral cavity. In public, discreetly lick your wrist; wait a few seconds and smell it. You will have your answer!
And if people pull away when you speak, stop worrying.
Prevention and Treatment
- Brush your teeth and tongue regularly (at least three times a day)
- Floss daily
- Gargle with a chlorhexidine product: if you don’t have one on hand, use baking soda
- Chew gum or suck on peppermint or chlorophyll candies
- Drink mint infusions or water
- Rinse your mouth with hydrogen peroxide (between five and 30 seconds)
There are also over-the-counter medications that fight bad breath. Pharmacists most suggest Amosan (Oral-B), Peroxil (Colgate), and Listerine. However, it is best to see your doctor correct a bigger problem, such as diabetes, which often causes terrible breath.
Prevent Bad Breath
If you want to avoid consuming gum and candies, even without sugar, other products will allow you to have “good mouth”:
- Drinking green tea, as an herbal tea, will help you have a fresher mouth
- Suck on the star anise fruit
- Suck on a clove or cinnamon stick
- Chew parsley leaves or fennel seeds
- Eat a banana
- Stimulate the production of saliva with citrus fruits (orange, lemon, or lime)
- Rinse your mouth with a few drops of grapefruit seed extract mixed with water: however, this solution is very acidic, and you will need to rinse your mouth or eat immediately afterward.
- Avoiding heavy consumption of tobacco, coffee, or alcohol
- Drink water, six to eight glasses a day to hydrate your mouth
These simple measures should reduce or even stop bad breath. If not, talk to your dentist or dental hygienist. If the problem persists, it would be best to consult a healthcare practitioner. It is then likely that a medical concern is causing the bad smell.
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