Ways to Get Rid of Bad Breath Permanently

Halitosis, commonly known as bad breath, is one of the most prevalent oral problems. Everyone has bad breath occasionally due to lifestyle habits or medical conditions. If you want to prevent bad breath from taking a toll on your confidence, there are ways to eliminate the problem permanently and achieve fresher breath.

Halitosis is caused by bacteria in your mouth breaking down various amino acids, resulting in foul-smelling volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs). It often accompanied by certain tells that indicate the source of the bad breath. There may be a build up of plaque around the teeth, a white coating on the front or back of the tongue, a recurring sour or bitter metallic taste in your mouth, or thick saliva accompanied by the constant need to clear the throat.

However, not everyone with halitosis will exhibit those symptoms. If you are not sure if you have bad breath or not, here are three ways to check:

1. Wipe a cotton gauze across your tongue. If there is a yellow stain or a smell in the gauze, you may have high levels of VSCs present on your tongue.
2. Lick the back of your hand, and then smell it after ten minutes. The smell indicates the presence of sulphur salts in your saliva. Smelling your dental floss after flossing your teeth works equally well.
3. A more scientific measure is the bad breath meter. This measures the amount of sulphides present in your breath.

If you have any or all of these symptoms, see a dentist right away. If they detect a serious underlying condition that is causing the bad breath, your dentist will refer you to a doctor so you can receive the proper diagnosis and treatment. In any case, your dentist will recommend some practical ways to eliminate the odour and help you keep your peace of mind.

Causes Of Bad Breath

Before exhausting all means to improve your breath, it is necessary to pinpoint the underlying cause and deeply understand how you develop this problem. Some have bad breath only on occasion, or it might reflect a chronic condition.

Here are some of the most common triggers of bad breath:

• Inadequate brushing and flossing – Failure to brush and floss thoroughly can lead to the accumulation of food particles in the mouth, which can cause odours. These particles also cling to the teeth and gums, resulting in tooth decay and gum problems.

• Foods – Eating foods abundant in spices like garlic, onions, and chillies can cause bad breath. These increase the amount of odour-causing bacteria in the mouth.

• Medications – Medicines like antihistamines (for allergies) and triamterene (for treating heart and liver diseases) can result in dry mouth, leading to increased bacterial growth.

• Dry mouth – This mostly happens during sleep, hence the occurrence of “morning breath.” Serious cases of dry mouth can be a result of a problem with the salivary glands.

• Oral infections – An infection resulting from oral surgery (like tooth extraction) is also one of the leading causes of bad breath. Other causes of oral infection are tooth decay, gum disease, and mouth sores.

• Mouth, nose, and throat infections – A foul-smelling breath can also be a result of bacterial infection or inflammation in the nose, sinuses, or throat. Consult with your doctor to get appropriate medication.

• Disease – Other probable causes of bad breath are some medical conditions, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The chemicals it produces can result in a distinctive mouth odour.

How To Prevent Bad Breath 

Once you have figured out the root cause of the problem, incorporate these solutions to your lifestyle to improve your breath moving forward:

• Brush and floss diligently – Avoid slacking off when it comes to keeping your mouth clean. Brush and floss after every meal to prevent the build up of plaque on your teeth. Plaque does not only cause odours; it damages the tooth structure as well, which leads to a lot of periodontal diseases.
• Use a mouth rinse – An alcohol-free mouth rinse can instantly freshen breath and kill germs in the mouth, eliminating the source of bad breath.
• Clean your tongue – Use a tongue scraper to clean your tongue and get rid of the white coating where the smelly bacteria love to lounge. Reach out to as far as the back of the tongue where most food debris, dead cells, and bacteria are often stuck.
• Ditch foods that cause bad breath – Breath offenders, including garlic and onions, cause strong odours in the mouth that thorough brushing cannot eliminate. This is because the sulphur contained in these spices can travel to the bloodstream and make their way into your lungs, which causes bad breath.

• Add more fruits and vegetables to your diet – Better breath is also about adding odour-fighting antioxidants to your diet. Eat fruits and vegetables, especially apples, carrots, pears, cucumbers, and lettuce, which contain antioxidants that clean the teeth and the body.
• Use natural herbs and teas – Try chewing fresh parsley to cleanse your palate and freshen your breath. Drink black or green tea. In addition to calming the nerves, tea contains polyphenols that help restrain the growth of bacteria by as much as 30 percent.

 

• Maintain moisture in the mouth – Greater moisture aids in flushing off food debris and bacteria from the mouth. Drink plenty of water during the day to keep your mouth from drying. Pump up your saliva production by chewing sugar-free gum. You need more fluids if you are on high blood pressure or allergy medications.

If the smell persists even after applying these methods, set an appointment with your dentist. Your dentist can help you keep your oral health in top shape, which will help fight bad breath. Have your teeth cleaned regularly to stop the build up of plaque, which leads to bad breath as well as a host of periodontal diseases. Regular checkups help prevent it from progressing into a more severe problem.

Keep these tips in mind if you plan to visit your dentist for a breath evaluation:

• Schedule your appointment in the morning. If you set your appointment later in the day, chances are the food you will eat within the day will hinder the results of the assessment.

• Avoid wearing scents (e.g. perfume, scented lotions) as such products could mask odours.

Let Springdale Dental Centre be your partner in keeping your mouth healthy. Our clinic in Brampton, Ontario offers a wide variety of dental services and professional care for patients of all ages. Schedule an appointment with our friendly staff today at (905) 458-1212.