Bad breath, or halitosis, can make you feel bad about yourself and make you nervous around other people. However, what exactly leads to this undesirable condition?
This article talks about the science behind bad breath, the different reasons why it happens, and ways to keep your breath smelling good. If you need a dentist in Glen Carbon to fix your bad breath or any other tooth problem, schedule a consultation right away.
The culprits behind bad breath – what causes it?
Bad breath is often caused by not taking care of your teeth and gums and eating bad foods. Bacteria love to eat food scraps from your teeth and mouth, which makes sulfur compounds that smell bad. Do not let germs grow; brush and floss every day.
When you do not have enough saliva in your mouth, you have a dry mouth. This can be caused by some medicines, health problems, or habits like breathing through your mouth. Strong-smelling foods, like garlic, onions, and hot foods, can make your breath smell bad for a long time.
The gut breaks these things down, and the lungs let them out. Bad breath can also be caused by other health problems, like long-term skin infections, gum disease, and acid reflux disease. Long-term health problems, like kidney or liver problems, may also make the problem worse.
Effective solutions to keep the smell at bay.
If you want to get rid of bad breath, you need to deal with the causes. Here are some useful tips:
1. Put oral hygiene first.
- Brush twice daily: When you brush your teeth, do it twice a day for at least two minutes each time. Use toothpaste with fluoride. Do not forget to clean your lips, gums, and the back of your teeth.
- Floss every day: Flossing gets rid of bacteria and food stuck between your teeth that your toothbrush can not reach.
- Clean your Tongue: Simply scrape your tongue or use your toothbrush to get rid of germs in a gentle way.
- Regular visits to the dentist: Get regular dental check-ups to find and treat any gum disease, tooth loss, or other oral health problems that might be causing your bad breath.
2. Stay hydrated.
- Make sure you drink a lot of water: Water helps your body make saliva, which helps clean your mouth.
- Avoid drinks that dehydrate you: Drink beverages that dehydrate you, like coffee and wine, in moderation.
3. Watch what you eat.
- Limit foods with strong smells: Eat less garlic, onions, and other strong-smelling foods.
- Avoid too much sugar: Foods that are high in sugar can help germs grow.
- Eat a balanced diet: Eating a balanced diet full of fruits, veggies, and whole foods is good for your health in general, including your teeth.
4. Take care of medical conditions.
- Talk to a doctor: If you think you might have a serious health problem, like ear problems, gum disease, acid reflux, or a disease that affects your whole body, you should see a doctor right away to get the right care.
5. Changes to your lifestyle.
- Quit smoking: It can hurt your mouth and gums, which can cause a bad smell.
- Take care of your stress: Stress can make your dry mouth worse, so do things to relax, like yoga or meditation.
- Do not breathe through your mouth: This can dry out your mouth and cause bad breath. As much as possible, try to breathe through your nose.
6. Some extra tips.
- Use mouthwash: A good mouthwash can kill germs and make your breath smell better.
- Chew sugar-free gum: Chewing sugar-free gum makes you salivate, which can briefly cover up bad breath.
- Professional cleaning: Getting your teeth cleaned by a dentist on a regular basis can help get rid of plaque and tartar buildup, which can make your breath smell bad.
If you know how bad breath works scientifically and use these tips, you can effectively deal with this common issue and enjoy better, more confident breath.
