What Is Bad Breath (Halitosis)?
Chronic bad breath, otherwise known as halitosis, is a very common phenomenon that affects approximately 40% of the adult population. Part of the problem is that it’s almost impossible for you to detect or recognize your own bad breath unless someone else points it out and this can be a great source of embarrassment for a lot of people. Fortunately, there are a lot of excellent and effective bad breath remedies and prevention methods that you can try if you or someone you know has severe halitosis. Start by speaking to your dentist about your halitosis as it could be a symptom of a more serious underlying health issue such as periodontitis. Halitosis is generally the result of a buildup of anaerobic, sulfur-producing bacteria that gather either on the surface of the tongue, at the back of the throat, or in the spaces between the teeth and produces a bad odour over time.
Causes of Bad Breath
The following is a list of potential causes of bad breath that you should know about and avoid.
Low-Carb/High Protein Diet
Carbohydrates are essential to breaking down certain chemical compounds in foods that can cause bad breath, so eating less of them can actually be harmful to your oral health. Bacteria in your mouth tend to feed on protein buildup and then excrete sulfur compounds in the back of your throat and tongue and these compounds can produce foul-smelling odours.
Cavities, Gum Disease, Cracked Fillings
All of these are breeding grounds for bacteria to thrive and feed off of the sugars and other compounds that can attach themselves to the surface of the teeth.
The role of the tonsils isn’t entirely evident to medical professionals, although it’s believed that because of their convenient location at the back of the throat, they have certain immune functions in children. As we get older, our tonsils tend to shrink and become increasingly ineffective, however, they still have the potential to become infected or inflamed which is why a lot of people need to have them removed at some point in their lives. This is an excellent prevention method for bad breath during adulthood.
Saliva helps to promote a clean and healthy mouth as it washes away and disintegrates a lot of the bacteria that can enter into your mouth cavity through various means, including the food you eat. Proper saliva production is essential to maintaining a clean and healthy mouth and when you suffer from dry mouth, this can create an ideal breeding ground for harmful bacteria. That’s why it’s highly important that you stay well hydrated and try to avoid or cut back on certain foods and beverages that can cause dry mouth such as alcohol, coffee, tea, as well as refined and processed sugars.
Odour Causing Foods
Foods like garlic and onion can worsen your bad breath because they contain odorous sulfur compounds that can stay within your system and make their way into your lungs. Dairy and meat products, on the other hand, contain strong proteins that are difficult to break down and provide sustenance for anaerobic, sulfur-producing bacteria.
Poor Dental Hygiene
Lack of an adequate dental hygiene routine can lead to severe halitosis because you’re not implementing any proper measures to prevent oral problems from occurring and this can encourage more bacteria to accumulate in your mouth and spread to other parts of your body. It’s important to brush and floss on a regular basis to prevent the production and spread of harmful bacteria.
Smoking and Tobacco Consumption
In addition to a host of other serious health problems, smoking can also have a detrimental affect on your oral health. Not only does it cause tooth discolouration, but smoking has also been linked to periodontitis and gum disease and therefore can also cause bad breath.
How to Effectively Get Rid of Bad Breath
Here are a few helpful tips you should abide by in order to effectively stop bad breath from depleting your self confidence and prevent you from living your life.
- Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth twice daily (preferably after every meal) and flossing every night before bed.
- Run a tongue brusher over your tongue to remove excess dead cells and food particles.
- Cut down on sugar as much as possible.
- Maintain a healthy diet full of fiber and other vitamins and minerals.
- Restrict the use of medications that cause dry mouth.
- Avoid consuming products that contain high alcohol and sodium lauryl sulfate concentrations.
- Reduce or restrict your dairy intake as much as possible.
How to Get Rid of the Bad Smell in Your Mouth in the Morning
Morning breath is a common problem for many people and it’s typically caused by lack of saliva production while you sleep, which can lead to dry mouth. Another culprit is breathing through your mouth while you sleep if your nasal passages are blocked. The air that enters in and out of your mouth cavity can dry out what little saliva you produce as you sleep. Here are a few useful bad-breath remedies you can put into practice when you wake up in the morning.
- Drink green or black tea to get rid of bad-odour-causing germs.
- Drink lots of water. Staying hydrated is important because it promotes strong saliva production. Your saliva contains vital protective enzymes that help kill harmful bacteria and this can help prevent dry mouth. Hydration stimulates the salivary glands and keeps your mouth thoroughly moisturized.
- Use fluoride-based toothpaste.
- Quit smoking.
- Freshen your breath temporarily with sugar-free gum, mints, mouth spray, or non-alcoholic mouthwash.
Foods That Naturally Prevent Bad Breath
If you’re more inclined to find natural prevention methods or cures for bad breath, then there’s no better place to look than in the foods you consume. Many fruits and vegetables naturally contain compounds that can combat the bad smells that come out of your mouth. These include the following:
- Green tea
- Apples and pears
- Oranges, melons, and berries
- Celery, carrots, and cucumbers
- Almonds and other nuts
Visit Your Local Dentist in Etobicoke
Of course, the best way to prevent halitosis from negatively impacting your life in the long-term is to regularly schedule dental appointments at Princeview Dental Group in Etobicoke. You should be getting routine checkups and cleanings at least once every six months, unless your dentist recommends that you come in more often than that. This will aid in the early detection of potential oral health issues, which can facilitate bad breath treatment immediately. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with our dental health professionals!