Bad breath, or halitosis, is a problem that affects many people, ranging from 502 to 85% of the world’s population, according to various sources.
As early as the 2nd century B.C., the ancient Roman philosopher Apuleius wrote that nothing is more inconsistent with the image of a noble man than “an unkempt mouth. And to this day, bad breath is often associated with poor oral hygiene. But is the cause of halitosis so clear cut? We’ll tell you what factors usually cause it and how to deal with it in this article.
Causes of bad breath
Bad breath occurs when certain chemicals — sulfur-containing (up to 90%) and non-sulfur compounds — enter the exhaled air from the oral cavity. Basically, volatile substances with a specific aroma are produced by anaerobic, i.e. capable of living without oxygen, bacteria. Their products are perceived as the smell of garlic, stale cheese, rotten eggs, cabbage, gasoline or hydrogen sulfide.
The freshness of your breath can be affected by natural factors:
- Time of day. Because there is less saliva production, the self-cleaning process of the mouth decreases at night, so your breath may not smell as good in the morning after waking up.
- Age. Saliva deficiency becomes permanent at a certain age. This creates a favorable background for the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria4, which release volatile compounds.
- Hormonal background. Women may notice that they have “bad breath days,” and periodic changes in hormone levels in the female body are to blame.
- Food. sometimes the unpleasant smell can be caused by the consumption of certain foods — spicy and strongly spicy food, alcohol, coffee, tobacco, garlic, onions, pickles, spices and curries.
Physiological halitosis is not accompanied by changes in the oral cavity and is easily eliminated.
It is not uncommon for halitosis to occur in those who:
- Do not properly follow oral hygiene, especially people who wear braces, trainers, or dentures;
- Are taking a variety of medications, such as antibiotics or glucocorticosteroids;
smokes; - Have psycho-emotional stress or are under constant stress.
- But bad breath can also be a “marker” (indicator) of certain diseases1. If you are constantly bothered by this problem, see your doctor.
Halitosis can be a symptom of inflamed gums (gingivitis), the peri-tooth tissue (periodontitis) and tooth decay (caries).
Periodontitis and gingivitis are considered not just a dental problem, but also a reaction of the body to the effects of bacterial infection present on the teeth and in the gingival space
When you have bad breath all the time, you need to see a dentist. The doctor will explain why the halitosis appeared and tell you how to get rid of it. In any case, it is important not to neglect hygienic procedures. Take good care of your mouth by brushing twice a day: in the morning after meals and in the evening before going to bed. Each session is at least 3 minutes.
Of the five surfaces of the tooth, the brush effectively cleans only three. Therefore, in addition to the main tools — brushes and pastes — it is recommended to use auxiliary means.
A wide range of customized products are now available to clean the surfaces of the teeth and tongue as effectively as possible.
- Toothpastes and gels, powders;
- brushes;
- interdental products that help to clean the interdental spaces (floss, tapes, scrapers, brushes);
- liquid products (rinses, elixirs);
- prophylactic and therapeutic chewing gums.
5 helpful tips for fresh breath
How do you quickly remove bad breath?
Use a toothpaste recommended by your dentist. You may need an anti-inflammatory, whitening toothpaste or a saliva-regulating formula.
Don’t forget to use an interdental cleaner (floss, brush).
Use a plastic or wooden toothpick if you need to further clean the interdental spaces after eating.
Clean the back of your tongue. Its uneven surface is ideal for bacteria to breed and is a place where food particles accumulate.
Don’t forget to use a tongue cleaner. Use it once or twice a day after each brushing.
Oral rinses are an excellent preventive mouthwash to supplement dental care, both during and between brushes. Mouthwashes are useful to clean the mouth and soften plaque before brushing. The natural enzymes contained in the rinses are excellent at removing soft plaque and keeping your breath fresh for a long time. It is recommended to use the rinses after brushing your teeth to treat hard-to-reach areas between the teeth.
Rinses contain antiseptic substances (menthol, thymol, methyl salicylate) that can destroy the cell wall of bacteria and inhibit their enzyme activity. Thus, rinses prevent the development of caries by reducing the area of dental plaques (biofilms).
People who use rinses after brushing their teeth have a longer-lasting antimicrobial effect.
Research shows that the use of mouthwashes is an effective complementary hygiene measure. Rinses have been proven to help reduce the number of opportunistic bacteria in the mouth.
Bad breath can be a significant problem that decreases a person’s quality of life, because it often forces him or her to limit social contacts. In many cases it can be solved with comprehensive oral hygiene. Not only using traditional tools (brushes and pastes), but also dental floss, scrapers and rinses can help keep your breath fresh for a long time.
An examination may be necessary to find out the exact cause of long-term halitosis. If bad breath is noted for a long time and persists despite proper hygiene and dietary adjustments, see your doctor.
The information in this article is for reference only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a qualified medical professional for diagnosis and treatment.
Dentolan is a multi-component bioactive supplement for those who have a problem with bad breath. The product soothes the throat and voice strings. In addition, it helps in the digestive processes, increases intestinal comfort and maintains the correct pH of the gastric juice.
Dentolan is effective regardless of the cause of bad breath. The product’s rich formula will work regardless of what caused the halitosis — bacteria, stimulants, digestive problems or certain foods.
