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Halitosis – Bad breath overview
- Bad breath is a broad issue that can affect everybody at any age.
- About 25% of individuals have bad breath (also known as halitosis) on a long-term basis.
What causes your breath to smell?
- Bad breath can be triggered by several things, but it’s usually caused due to poor oral hygiene. If germs form in your mouth, it can cause your breath to have an unattractive stench.
- Any food trapped in your teeth will be broken down by bacteria, leading to halitosis.
- If you constantly experience bad breath this could also mean you may have a gum disease. Your dentist will be able to advise you on proper treatment options.
- Consuming very spicy foods, such as onions or garlic, can also result in bad breath, as well as smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol.
- At times, bad breath can occur after an infection or virus, or as a result of taking certain types of medication.
How to treat and prevent bad breath
Refining your oral hygiene is normally enough to treat halitosis and to avoid it occurring again. Your dentist can inform you about methods to increase your oral well-being and will possibly recommend the following:
- Cleaning your teeth and gums on a regular basis;
- Ensuring you floss between the gaps of your teeth; and
- Ensuring your tongue is clean.
Speak to your dentist
- If you have made alterations to your dental hygiene and you still experience bad breath, then speak to your dentist. There might be a medical reason that has to be examined.
- Don’t try to hide the bad smell prior to visiting your dentist, because it will make it harder for them to find out the real cause of the issue.
Recognizing the signs of bad breath
- It’s not always easy to notice if you are experiencing bad breath or not. Other individuals might smell it first, but could feel uncomfortable telling you.
- Lick the inside of your wrist and wait a few seconds till it dries. If your wrist has a foul smell, it’s likely your breath does too.
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