Did you know bad breath is estimated to effect 25% of people globally?
That’s one in four people!
The medical term for bad breath is Halitosis and, after tooth decay and gum disease, is the third most common reason people seek dental care.
Causes of Bad Breath
Generally, bad breath is the result of poor oral hygiene – insufficient brushing, flossing or dental care.
Bad breath in children is often due to trapped item in the nasal cavity.
There are many other common causes of bad breath and these include:
- Smoking – Not only does smoking discolour and damage the teeth, gums, tongue and mouth but the remnants of cigarette smoking and lingering smoke can also escape the lungs and nasal passage creating that unmissable odour causing you bad breath.
- Tooth decay – The breakdown of the tooth due to the bacteria growing on the teeth can assist in bad breath.
- Alcohol consumption – Excessive alcohol consumption can contribute directly or indirectly to the acidity in the body and to bad breath.
- Foods – All the food that you eat starts to break down in your mouth and foods with stronger odours – such as onions and garlic – will linger for longer. Whilst brushing is still important, it merely covers up the odour until this food has completely passed through your body.
- Periodontal disease – Much like the bacteria in your mouth affect the decay in your teeth, it also can result in gum disease and another factor of bad breath.
- Dry mouth – The body produces saliva to neutralize the acids and wash away the bad stuff. If you are experiencing dry mouth (xerstomia) this can then result in bad breath. Addressing respiratory problems or staying hydrated might help eliminate the problem.
- Medication – Some medications can indirectly produce bad breath by contributing to dry mouth. Other medications can be broken down in the body to release chemicals that can be carried on your breath.
- Poorly fitting dental appliances such as dentures – Poor fitting appliances can lead to trapped food or food particles that can start to break down and produce bacteria and also create more areas for plaque to build up and assist in bad breath.
- Severe dieting – Some diets may cause what’s known as ”ketone breath”. These diets cause the body to burn fat as its energy source. The end product of making this energy is ketones, which cause a fruity acetone-like odour on the breath.
Bad breath can also manifest from deeper lying medical conditions. Although these are not as common it is also a good idea to chat to your dentist or medical practitioner to see if there may be something else contributing to your bad breath.
Rarer causes of bad breath can include:
- Bowel obstruction,
- Yeast infections,
- Diabetes,
- Lung infections or abscesses,
- Kidney or liver failure,
- Sinus or throat infections or
- Gastrointestinal issues,
How to Improve your breath
Good oral hygiene is essential and methods include:
- Brushing at least twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste – brushing will remove plaque and bacteria from your teeth, protecting them from decay. It will also protect your mouth and gums from disease that can cause bad breath.
- Flossing at least once a day – Since almost half the surface area of your tooth is between your teeth, this allows you to clean in all those hard to reach areas. If you find flossing difficult, there are many products that can assist, such as pixters, floss handles and water flossers.
- Cleaning your tongue – After brushing your teeth, either use the bristles of your brush, or a tooth brush that has a tongue cleaner on the back. Simply place the tongue cleaner or the bristles at the back of your tongue and scrape it towards the front of your mouth. Rinse under warm water and repeat till you have cleaned your whole tongue.
- Keep your mouth hydrated – regularly drinking water will help flush bacteria away and keep your mouth fresh.
- Visit your dentist every 6 months – A professional scale and clean will remove more plaque and bacteria than you can at home, reducing bad breath issues. The dentist will also be able to identify the causes of the bad breath recommend the best way to eliminate it.
For further information, speak to your dentist, or refer to the following links:
http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/bad-breath#1
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