Bad breath is caused by odor-producing bacteria that grow in the mouth. When you don't brush and floss regularly, bacteria accumulate on the bits of food left in your mouth and between your teeth. The sulfur compounds released by these bacteria make your breath smell.
Mouth infections can cause bad breath. However, if your dentist has ruled out other causes and you brush and floss every day, your bad breath could be the result of another problem, such as a sinus condition, gastric reflux, diabetes, liver or kidney disease. In this case, see your healthcare provider.
Cavities can make it easier for bacteria to evade a toothbrush. Even with the most thorough brushing, you might not be able to reach bacteria lurking deep inside a cavity. These odor-causing bacteria can also hide in deep gum pockets, usually caused by gum disease, which afflicts over 47% of adults over 30.
Your digestive tract may be the cause of your foul breath if you frequently get heartburn or reflux after eating particular meals, such as dairy and spicy cuisine. These acids may smell sour, which causes gaseous odors to impact your breath.
So it's no surprise that most cases of halitosis are associated with poor oral hygiene, gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis, and dry mouth, a condition in which the salivary glands cannot make enough saliva to keep your mouth moist.
The rotten egg smell comes from the breakdown of microbes that live in your digestive system. It may be as simple as addressing acid reflux with an over the counter antacid or with a stronger medication if it is more persistent.
The research published in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene has shown that drinking or rinsing the mouth with a glass of water helped remove up to 60 per cent of the substances which contribute to bad breath1.
The genera Lactobacillus, Streptococcus and Weissella are among the most useful probiotics for the prevention or treatment of halitosis in the oral cavity.
Most people can get rid of chronic halitosis by treating the underlying condition. That could be as simple as improving your oral hygiene routine. If chronic bad breath is due to an underlying health condition, then there may be some trial and error to figure out what works for you.
Zinc supplements are available over the counter, or you can try to fill your diet with some zinc-filled foods like pumpkin or other squash seeds, dark chocolate or cocoa, or chickpeas in order to curb your bad breath naturally. Believe it or not, poor belly health can directly affect your breath!
Water: Simply having a glass of water after eating helps to rinse out your mouth and wash away bacteria. Chewing sugar-free gum: This not only serves to mask the odour of your breath with a pleasant, minty aroma, but it also stimulates the production of saliva.
Fight Bad Breath, Eat a Banana A banana can actually extract germs from the mouth making it an impressive home remedy for bad breath. Besides aiding in your journey to clean smelling breath, bananas are nutritional powerhouses. Add a banana to your daily lineup.
However, many people may be too embarrassed to ask a loved one if the problem needs to be addressed. Another possible reason is our natural inability to actually smell our own breath, caused by an opening in the back of the mouth behind the soft palate, called the pharynx, which connects it to the nose.
If you think you might have bad breath, there is a simple test that you can do. Just lick the inside of your wrist and sniff - if the smell is bad, you can be fairly sure that your breath is too.
Everyone also should be aware of other new symptoms, in addition to bad breath, that are possible signs of oral, oropharyngeal (throat) or laryngeal cancer.
Persistent bad breath is typically associated with chronic halitosis, a dental term that describes poor oral hygiene which causes bacteria build-up and gum disease. However, your bad breath could also indicate poor gut health and even a gastrointestinal disorder or condition.
When it comes to persistent bad breath, the types of probiotic bacteria found in fermented foods like yogurt, sourdough bread and miso soup may help ease the offending odor, a new study suggests.
Your dentist or periodontist may recommend an antimicrobial mouth rinse. Also, you may be told to brush your tongue gently each time you brush your teeth to help remove odor-causing bacteria. Diagnosis and treatment of an existing health condition may get rid of the bad breath.
Dehydration
Dehydration causes bad breath because when you're dehydrated your body doesn't produce enough saliva. Without saliva there to clean out debris, bacteria have the chance to grow and cause bad breath. If you aren't drinking enough water while working out, this might be the cause of your bad breath.
Use a fluoride toothpaste like the new Pepsodent Germicheck 8, which contains CPC technology to fight germs that can cause bad breath. The formula fights germs that are not just on your teeth, but also on the tongue, cheeks, and gums to give you 8 scientifically proven benefits, including 12 hours' fresh breath.