Don’t give bad breath a chance! Let us take you through the causes of bad breath and how to fight it to avoid embarrassing moments. Getting fresher breath is often easier than you think.
What causes bad breath?
Onions, garlic, horseradish, coffee, alcohol and cigarettes – we all know the causes of temporary bad breath. But if we’re talking about chronic bad breath (known as ‘halitosis’), which doesn’t disappear after brushing your teeth, then less obvious factors could be to blame.
The most common include:
- inadequate cleaning of teeth, interdental spaces and the tongue
- tooth decay or tartar and gum inflammation
- an imbalance in oral microflora
- a dry mouth caused by reduced saliva production (xerostomia) and insufficient fluid intake
- starvation and extreme dieting with a low saccharide intake
- various types of medication (e.g. for an allergy, blood pressure medication or antidepressants)
- a wide range of illnesses and health problems: diabetes, inflammation of the respiratory tract, impaired liver and kidney function, stomach ulcers and reflux disease
How can you deal with bad breath?
Eliminating the root causes – i.e. usually by improved oral hygiene! 90% of the time, the cause of bad breath lies in the oral cavity.In the first instance, head to the dentist – they will investigate to see if the cause of the bad breath is tooth decay, gum inflammation or some other kind of oral problem. The next stop is the dental hygienist, who will thoroughly cleanse your teeth of any build-up of plaque and tartar and advise you further on how to clean your teeth properly and how to use an interdental brush. But there’s also lots you can do to fight bad breath right now.
Where should you start?
1. Eliminate odour from interdental spaces
You’ve definitely heard that you’re supposed to clean your teeth at least twice a day and maybe you stick to that rigorously. But are you quite so diligent with the interdental spaces? It is there that bits of food get stuck, along with bacteria which release unpleasant odours as the residues are digested.
Clean your interdental spaces once per day using:
- interdental brushes: thanks to their small bristles they reach every little impurity. They come in various sizes, making them suitable for all interdental spaces
- dental floss: ideal for cleaning those narrow areas between teeth where even the smallest interdental brush cannot reach
- water flossers: they remove all impurities thoroughly using a stream of water without disturbing the surface of your teeth or gums. Moreover, they are also suitable for cleaning braces, implants and crowns.
Tip: Replace your interdental brush about once per week. Because of the risk of a build-up of bacteria, change your regular toothbrush once every three months.
2. Remove your tongue’s coating
The dents on the back of the tongue are ideal places for dead cells and bacteria to build up. Don’t let bacteria win and remove the coating with a tongue scraper. Just a couple of sweeping movements from the back part of the top towards the tip is enough to refresh it. You can also use a toothbrush, but be sure to proceed very gently and then rinse the brush thoroughly with water.
Tip: If you dislike brushing your teeth and tend to rush it, get yourself an electric toothbrush. Some even come with a tongue cleaning setting!
3. Freshen up your breath: whenever and wherever
After food, at work and before that important meeting – keep your breath under control. Make sure to pack pastilles and chewing gum in your bag, along with mouthwash and spray. They don’t just smell fresh, but also contain antimicrobial ingredients which eliminate the causes of bad breath. Use mouthwash as the final step in your oral hygiene routine, as well as after a spicy lunch or dinner, whereas mouth spray can be used any time during the day to freshen your breath – perhaps a couple of sprays during your commute.
Tip: Why not also try capsules and tablets which fight bad breath by neutralising the odours originating in the stomach?
4. Incorporate certain foods and drinks into your diet
Did you know that besides those foods and drinks which cause odour, there are also ones which help suppress it? For fresher breath we recommend drinking green tea and eating or chewing basil, mint or parsley – they contain chlorophyll, which neutralises unpleasant odours. For bad breath caused by a dry mouth , try carrots or fruit containing vitamin C, which support saliva production. And don’t forget to drink fresh water throughout the day – to hydrate your mouth and wash away any remnants of food.
Tip: Does your bad breath persist despite brushing your teeth and exemplary oral hygiene? Go and visit your doctor. They will determine the exact cause and the right steps for eliminating bad breath in your specific case.
