Bad breath is something no one wants to have to deal with, but unfortunately, we’ve all been there before.
Maybe you’ve just eaten a large bag of pickled onion crisps or awoken with a hangover after a night drinking beer. In these instances, it’s pretty common to expect your breath to be smelling funky.
But what do you do if you’ve brushed your teeth, flossed and rinsed your mouth with mouthwash, only to find that the problem is still occurring? Maybe you haven’t eaten or drank anything with a powerful aroma, yet your breath is still bad?
Good oral hygiene is something we should all strive to achieve, but that’s not the only factor that can play a part in preventing bad breath. It’s estimated that 1 in 4 people suffer from bad breath on a regular basis!
If you’re one of the unlucky few who suffer from bad breath, then you know how incredibly frustrating and embarrassing it can be to deal with. But don’t worry! If you’re unsure why this pesky problem keeps occurring, here are a few reasons as to why you could be suffering from bad breath and some easy treatments to fix the problem
What is the cause of bad breath?
Bad breath can be a warning sign for a variety of problems, with some being more serious than others. Potential causes of bad breath include:
SMOKING/TOBACCO
Tobacco products, like cigarettes and cigars, can contribute to mouth odour. They also increase the chance of gum disease, which causes bad breath.
FOOD
When your teeth chew your food, the food particles breathe down and get stuck in your teeth. When left unchecked, they can cause odours that give you smelly breath. Some types of foods, such as garlic and onions, can also contribute because of their natural potency.
DISEASE
Cancer, liver failure and other types of metabolic disease can all cause halitosis. This is because of the specific chemicals that they produce in your body and that are expelled through your breath.
DRY MOUTH
By this, we don’t mean the dry mouth feeling you get from a hangover. This is a condition that can cause bad breath as a result. Saliva naturally cleans your mouth, but if your mouth is dry because of a specific disease or condition like ‘dry mouth,’ odours can slowly build up over time.
ORAL HEALTH AND HYGIENE
Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly ensures that you remove small particles of food that build up in your mouth. When left unchecked, plaque can irritate your gums and cause inflammation between them and your teeth. When left unchecked, this build-up can cause bad breath.
LOW-CARB DIETS
Low carb diets, like the paleo and keto diets, can play a significant factor in whether or not you have stinky breath. Cutting out carbs and increasing your protein intake causes your body to break down fat for energy, creating ketones. One type of these ketones is called acetone and is released out of the body through either urine or, yes, you guessed it, your breath. Unfortunately, it has a strong odour.
DRUGS
Some types of medications can reduce the saliva in your mouth and create strong smelling odours. Others can produce odours as they break down and release chemicals into your breath. People who take a lot of vitamin supplements are more prone to bad breath because of this.
MOUTH, NOSE, AND THROAT PROBLEMS
If you have an infection or inflammation in either your nose, sinuses or throat, it can also cause halitosis as a side effect. Small, bacteria covered balls can form on the tonsils, better known as tonsil stones, and can produce a smelly odour in your mouth.
Halitosis
One of the more serious causes of bad breath is Halitosis. Believe it or not, but Halitosis is the third most common reason that people seek dental care after tooth decay and gum disease
What is Halitosis?
Halitosis is better defined as having chronic bad breath. It’s something that no toothpaste, mouthwash or chewing gum can solve. Unlike morning breath, or the overpowering smell of eating too much garlic, Halitosis can last for an unspecified amount of time, and it can also be a sign of something more severe with your oral health.
If you are worried, you have Halitosis feel free to get in touch with our team to see how we can help.
How do I know if I have bad breath?
You might actually be completely oblivious to whether you suffer from this oral hygiene problem or not. However, there’s a simple test you can do to find out.
Lick the inside of your wrist and smell. If your wrist smells bad, then it’s pretty likely that your breath does too.
How can I permanently get rid of bad breath?
Now that we’ve discussed the causes of bad breath, how can you go about actually treating bad breath?
ORAL HEALTHCARE
The best way to reduce your risk of having bad breath is by adopting a good oral health routine. This includes:
- Brushing your teeth and gums at least twice a day, for two minutes
- Using a fluoride toothpaste
- Cleaning your tongue once a day
- Using floss or interdental brushes to clean in between your teeth once a day
- Using mouthwash
- Visiting your dentist for regular check-ups
LIFESTYLE
As we mentioned above, in some of the causes of bad breath, your lifestyle choices and diet can play a part in developing halitosis.
If you suffer from bad breath, try cutting out smoking, as well as sugary foods and drinks from your diet. It’s also good to reduce your coffee and alcohol consumption too. If you’ve been fasting, or taking part in a low-carb diet, then stopping this can also improve the smell of your breath.
UNDERLYING HEALTH CONDITIONS
It might be that your oral health isn’t what’s causing your bad breath. Some underlying health conditions, such as throat infections, bronchitis, diabetes, or kidney problems, can contribute. If you visit your dentist and find that your mouth is healthy, it’s best to get referred to your GP to find out the root cause of your bad breath. They will be able to find an adequate treatment for you.
DENTAL TREATMENTS
A hygienist or dentist will be able to recommend a suitable solution or treatment to solve your bad breath. That’s why it’s essential to start having regular check-ups to allow your dentist to watch out for any places where plaque is caught between your teeth. Your dentist will also clean all those difficult areas to reach and show you the best way to clean your teeth, tongue, and gums.
RHODES ST DENTAL PRACTICE – THE LEADING PRIVATE DENTAL CLINIC IN OLDHAM
To book a consultation today call 0161 823 5329. Our highly qualified and experienced team adhere to guidance from the General Dental Council (GDC) ‘Standards For Dental Professionals’ so you can rest assured you’ll be in the safest of hands.
