Bad breath (halitosis) can be an embarrassing issue, especially when you want to whisper a joke to your friend or have a serious conversation. Sometimes people are not aware of their bad breath. The only way to find out is when the opposite person tells you. But having someone tell you that you have bad breath is undoubtedly embarrassing. The best way to avoid getting embarrassed is to identify the cause of bad breath and work on them to stop having a stinking mouth. Some of the most common causes include:
1) Tobacco Products
Tobacco easily adds up to the bad breath. Smoking cigarettes and chewing tobacco leave a foul odour lingering in your mouth. Tobacco also dries up your mouth and irritates your gums. Smoking leads to gum diseases and decays – some other causes of bad breath.
2) Dry Mouth
Saliva is a natural deterrent to bad breath because it washes away the bacteria that causes bad breath. It helps to clean your mouth and flush away the food particles. Dry mouth is caused when the production of saliva is decreased causing the food particles and bacteria to stay in the mouth.
3) Tongue Bacteria
The grooves on your tongue make it a perfect place for odour-producing bacteria to grow and emit Volatile Sulfur Compounds (VSCs). Keep your tongue clean by using a tongue scraper to remove the bacteria on your tongue and add it in your regular dental cleaning routine.
4) Garlic and Onions
Vegetables that are a part of the Allium family like garlic and onions have a high concentration of stinky sulphur compounds. Once the strong compounds such as allicin, allyl methyl sulphide, and cysteine sulfoxide from these vegetables are absorbed in the mouth, they emit an awful odour.
5) Medical Conditions
Sometimes, certain medical conditions can be the cause of your bad breath. Gum disease, allergies, diabetes, lactose intolerance, respiratory infections, inflammation of the sinuses, and so many other conditions can cause bad breath. Even certain medications can indirectly produce bad breath by drying your mouth or releasing the chemicals that are carried away with your breath.
6) Poor Dental Hygiene
If you don’t brush and floss daily, food particles can be stuck in your mouth causing bad breath. If the food particles do not flush away from the interdental spaces, plaque can be built and irritate your gums. Plaque is a bacterial film that naturally forms on your teeth and gums in the absence of regular dental cleaning. The growth of bacteria increases your risk of gum disease and leads to the production of bad smell.
Now that you have identified the reason, you can combat the bad breath issue accordingly. But if you think your dental hygiene is the main issue for your bad breath, get dental cleaning done by your nearby dentist today.
