[Dental Health] Bad breath is so embarrassing! Here are 4 ways to say goodbye to bad breath!
Does your breath often smell bad? Does it cause embarrassing situations every time you open your mouth? Bad breath not only affects your personal image, but it can also be a warning sign of dental problems. This article will teach you how to find the causes of bad breath and how to solve it!
Why do people have bad breath?
Bad breath is mainly caused by sulfur compounds produced by anaerobic sulfur bacteria. These compounds are produced when oral bacteria break down the proteins in food residue.
Under what circumstances will bad breath occur?
Besides "heatiness," bad breath can also be caused by poor lifestyle habits, oral diseases, and diet.
(1) Just woke up
During sleep, the amount and flow of saliva decrease significantly, increasing the pH balance of the oral fluid and leading to the growth of oral bacteria. During this time, the amount of saliva bacteria increases dramatically, and the mouth becomes filled with waste products and volatile sulfur compounds. Therefore, the breath usually doesn't smell very good when you first wake up in the morning.
(2) Halitosis on an empty stomach
During fasting, saliva production decreases while gastric acid secretion increases, and blood glucose and fat are consumed more rapidly. If oral hygiene is not maintained at this time, the concentration of sulfides and anaerobic bacteria in the mouth will increase, causing bad breath.
(3) Tonsil stones
Tonsil stones are metabolic waste products that calcify and become lodged in the tonsillar crypts. They are difficult to remove by brushing or rinsing the mouth, and improperly cleaned tonsil stones will emit a foul odor. The difficulty in removing them can lead to chronic halitosis over time.
(4) Dental diseases
Dental problems such as cavities and periodontal disease can both lead to bad breath. Severe cavities can cause pulp necrosis and produce an unpleasant odor, while periodontal disease causes inflammation of the periodontal tissues due to the accumulation of plaque or tartar, resulting in bad breath. Similarly, neglecting daily oral hygiene can allow bacteria and food debris to accumulate in the mouth, leading to bad breath.
(5) Diet
Some people experience bad breath after drinking coffee, tea, or alcohol. Caffeine and alcohol are diuretics, which reduce saliva production and cause dry mouth. This prevents the dilution of sulfides in the mouth, potentially leading to bad breath. Additionally, some foods, such as onions, garlic, and cured meats, have strong flavors and produce distinctive gases. When these foods are broken down by bacteria in saliva, they release large amounts of sulfides, resulting in bad breath.
(6) Smoking and staying up late
The pungent taste of tobacco lingers in the mouth, which can cause bad breath over time. Staying up late and lack of sleep prevent the body from detoxifying properly, causing toxins to accumulate and leading to internal heat and bad breath.
How to improve or eliminate bad breath?
By understanding the causes of bad breath and making fundamental changes, bad breath problems can be improved and eliminated.
(1) Thorough oral hygiene
Besides brushing your teeth morning and night to remove food debris and bacteria, dental floss can be used to clean plaque and food debris between teeth. Mouthwash containing antibacterial ingredients can also be used to rinse away food debris and its odor. To prevent bad breath in the long term, regular dental checkups and cleanings are recommended to prevent cavities, periodontal disease, and other oral health problems.
(2) Keep the mouth moist
Drinking enough water is key to maintaining fresh breath. When you stay up late or on an empty stomach, your mouth is prone to dryness, preventing the dilution of sulfides and causing bad breath. It is recommended to drink enough water daily or use mouth sprays and mouthwashes containing moisturizing ingredients to promote saliva flow.
(3) Pay attention to diet
Diet has a significant impact on breath. To avoid bad breath, it is recommended to reduce the consumption of pungent or strongly flavored foods, such as onions, garlic, coffee, and tea. At the same time, increasing the intake of fresh fruits or high-fiber foods can help clean the mouth and eliminate bad breath.
(4) Eat sugar-free chewing gum or mints
Want to quickly improve bad breath? Chewing gum and mints can increase saliva production and temporarily mask bad breath in a short time, and also help with temporary oral hygiene.
Author: Dr. Chen Haoxian
