Bad breath, or bad breath, is a condition that can affect people of all ages, and about a quarter of all individuals suffer from bad breath at some point in their lives. The word halitosis is derived from the Latin word “halitus” meaning breath. Besides causing embarrassment and low self-esteem, bad breath can be a sign of physical problems such as tooth decay, gum disease or other problems in the body.
Causes of Bad Breath
There are several causes of bad breath. Some of the most common causes are:
- Poor oral hygiene: Inadequate cleaning of the mouth, teeth, gums and tongue can cause bacteria to multiply in the mouth. These bacteria break down small pieces of food left in the mouth and release unpleasant-smelling gases, causing bad breath.
- Gum disease (gingivitis) and more severe gum infection called periodontitis.
- Some foods such as onions, garlic, spices, cabbage, cauliflower and radishes.
- Alcohol consumption, smoking and chewing tobacco.
- Use of certain drugs.
- Morning breath or bad breath when you wake up in the morning. This is usually short-term and doesn’t matter. Morning breath occurs when bacteria builds up while a person sleeps, reducing saliva flow, which helps wash away bacteria.
- Hunger.
- Certain diseases such as liver disease.
Treatment and prevention of bad breath
One of the best ways to treat and prevent bad breath is to improve oral hygiene. For this:
- Brushing the teeth and cleaning the gums at least twice a day and using a mouthwash after brushing
- Rinsing the mouth well after each meal to remove leftover food particles
- flossing at least once a day to clean areas between teeth where food can get stuck
- Cleaning the tongue with a soft bristle brush
- Consume less sugary and sticky foods that tend to stick to the inside of the teeth and mouth
- If bad breath occurs regularly, it should be evaluated by a dentist or dental hygienist.
You can make a free appointment from our dentists at Dent Art Port Oral and Dental Health Polyclinic and learn the details.
