How Do I Get Rid of Bad Breath?

Bad breath, also called halitosis, can affect your daily life when socializing with others due to anxiety that others can smell the odor on your breath. There are a few short-term over-the-counter methods to alleviate those smells, but they don’t get to the root cause of the problem.

How Do I Know if I Have Bad Breath?

The reasons for having bad breath can vary, and it’s hard to tell if you truly have bad breath on your own. So, it is recommended to reach out to family or a friend to confirm for you, due to the fact that some people are either very aware of their breath, some not at all.

What Causes Bad Breath?

There are multiple reasons why foul odors can start developing:

  1. Consumption choices: There are already bacteria in your mouth, but eating introduces more bacteria into the mouth than can cause bad odors. Potent-smelling foods like garlic, onions, or spices can also be the culprit for bad breath. Even the digestion of food into your bloodstream can be the cause, since that blood then flows into the lungs and the odor is carried out through your breath.
  2. Smoking Tobacco: It is commonly known that tobacco use can cause foul odors and even progress further into gum disease.
  3. Inconsistent cleaning: On a daily basis, the body will produce a colorless and sticky film of bacteria on your teeth known as plaque. These bacteria and food particles, as well, can gather on top of your teeth and in between them, which can irritate your gums. This can be an early sign of gum disease, which can progress to bone loss from late-stage gum disease called periodontitis if not treated in time. It is also known that your tongue can collect odor-causing bacteria, as well as dentures.
  4. Dry Mouth: When your mouth produces saliva, it helps clean the mouth. But, activities like sleeping with your mouth open from snoring can dry your mouth out. This is also known as “morning breath”, which is naturally occurring. Yet, prolonged dry mouth can mean that there are issues with the glands that produce saliva or other diseases, which call for medical intervention.
  5. Medicine: Depending on how your body chooses to break down any medications you take, the chemicals released into your body can also cause the odor.
  6. Oral Infections and Other Diseases: Mouth sores, gum disease, tooth decay, tooth removal, or wounds from oral surgery can also be the reason for bad odors. Other illnesses that can cause bad breath are Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, which can cause constant heartburn can be a cause as well and some forms of Cancer due to the way the body breaks down food into energy for the body. Tonsillitis is the production of small stones in your tonsils, which also causes bad breath.

If you or someone you know suffers from bad breath or any oral issues, it is smart to consult a doctor or dental specialist for further guidance and prevention from anything more serious from developing. Setting up an appointment is the first step to safer oral health.

Related Article: What causes bad breath even after brushing?