Bad breath also known as halitosis, can be embarrassing and, in some cases, a cause of concern. It’s no wonder that every store’s racks are filled with breath-freshening chewing gum, mouthwash, and other products designed to fight bad breath.
But many of these products are only temporary measures because they do not address the cause of the problem, only temporarily freshen the breath and after a while, when their effect wears off, the bad breath starts again.
If your shortness of breath is caused by another underlying health condition, your doctor will recommend primary care based on that cause.
Table of Contents
- Symptoms of bad breath
- Causes of bad breath
- The meal
- Smoking
- Poor dental hygiene
- Dry mouth
- Mouth infection
- Steps to remove bad breath
- Mouthwash or toothpaste for cleaning the mouth
- Treatment of tooth and gum disease
1. Symptoms of bad breath
Every person’s bad breath is different, depending on the internal or external cause of each person. Some people worry a lot about their breath even though they don’t have bad breath, while others have bad breath and don’t know it. Since it is difficult to assess what your own breath smells like, asking a close friend or relative about your bad breath can confirm your bad breath questions.
2. Causes of bad breath
Most of the causes of bad breath start from your mouth but there are many other possible causes which are as follows:
2.1. The meal
Food particles left around your teeth can breed bacteria and cause bad breath. Eating certain foods containing onions, garlic and spices can also cause bad breath or bad breath. After these foods are digested, they enter your bloodstream and travel to your lungs and affect your breathing.
2.2. Smoking
Smoking causes bad breath. Smokers and oral tobacco users are more likely to develop gum disease, which is another source of bad breath.
2.3. Poor dental hygiene
If you don’t brush and floss daily, food particles can get stuck in your mouth, causing bad breath. A layer of bacteria, or plaque, builds up on your teeth. Due to which the bacteria that causes bad breath can also grow on your tongue. Teeth that aren’t cleaned regularly or don’t fit properly can trap food particles and breed bad breath bacteria.
2.4. Dry mouth
Saliva helps clean your mouth and removes particles that cause bad breath. Such a condition is called dry mouth or xerostomia. Dry mouth occurs naturally during sleep, causing bad breath if you sleep with your mouth open . Chronic dry mouth can be caused by your salivary glands and some other diseases.
2.5. Mouth infection
Bad breath can be caused by injuries after surgery, such as tooth extraction, or by dental or gum disease. Chronic inflammation can also contribute to bad breath and cause bad breath.
3. Steps to remove bad breath
Here are steps to reduce bad breath.
- Avoid cavities and reduce the risk of gum disease
- Take care of oral hygiene
- Bad breath treatment can be different for everyone because it depends on the cause of the bad breath.
- The doctor will treat you to find out the causes related to oral health so that your condition can be better controlled.
4. Mouthwash or toothpaste for cleaning the mouth
If your bad breath is due to a build-up of bacteria or plaque on your teeth, your doctor may prescribe a mouthwash that kills the bacteria. He may also prescribe a toothpaste that contains an antibacterial agent to kill the bacteria that cause plaque to form.
5. Treatment of tooth and gum disease
If you have gum disease, you may be referred to a gum specialist (periodontist). Gum disease can cause the gums to pull away from your teeth, leaving gaps that fill with odor-causing bacteria. Sometimes only professional cleaning can remove these bacteria
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