Bad breath is no pleasure for anyone. Here are a few causes and some ideas for keeping your breath fresh. Sometimes bad breath is the result of a garlicky dinner or the morning coffee, but sometimes it is caused by a chronic condition called halitosis. If you have persistent bad breath that does not go away even after brushing and rinsing with mouthwash, or if it returns even when you avoid the foods known to cause it, you may have halitosis.
Many causes of bad breath
- Dry mouth. Saliva helps keep your tissue healthy and washes away stray food particles that would otherwise linger between the teeth. Without enough saliva, bacteria that cause bad breath thrive. Certain medicines, alcohol, mouth breathing and even smoking can cause a dry mouth.
- Food. Certain foods such as garlic, coffee, onions and fish contain odour-causing compounds that remain in the mouth and can lead to bad breath.
- Decay and periodontal disease. When bacteria get deep below the gum line or into the crevices of a cavity that you cannot reach with your brush, they can cause bad breath that only a visit to the dentist can put right.
- Sinus infections or allergies. If you have post-nasal drip because of an infection or allergy, bacteria feed on the mucus settling in your nose and throat and cause bad breath. Mucus trapped in your sinuses by a cold or sinusitis can also let bacteria multiply. If your sinuses are blocked you may also breathe through your mouth, which can cause dryness.
- Smoking. Smoking not only dries out your mouth but also irritates the gum tissue, which can lead to periodontal disease.
Keeping bad breath in check
Bad breath in itself can be treated relatively easily. Go to your dentist for an examination and professional cleaning at least twice a year, and brush twice a day for at least two minutes, including your tongue. Daily flossing removes food debris between the teeth and helps keep the periodontal pockets tight. If you wear a denture, clean it regularly to remove food residue. Make sure to drink enough water through the day to stay hydrated and keep the tissue of your mouth moist. If you are prone to allergies or sinusitis, a saline nasal rinse can flush out trapped mucus and help you breathe more easily. Mouthwashes, mints, sugar-free gum and sweets help stimulate the flow of saliva, which keeps your mouth moist and washes away odour-causing particles. If you stop smoking and using other tobacco products, you will not only have better breath but also improve your general quality of life and help prevent heart disease, cancer and other potentially fatal illnesses.
If you have taken all the precautions above and still notice persistent bad breath, make an appointment with your dentist. You may have decay, the beginnings of periodontal disease or something more serious. In some cases bad breath can be a sign of an underlying condition such as liver or kidney disease or diabetes. Together you and your practitioner can find the cause and work on getting your breath fresh again.
