Do you struggle with bad breath?

Supermarket and pharmacy shelves are full of mints, gums, breath freshener sprays, and mouthwashes – and for good reason! More than one in four people worldwide experience bad breath on an ongoing basis – which is embarrassing for them and unpleasant for the people around them.

The medical term for bad breath is “halitosis”. This common problem can be as simple as waking up after a night of eating smelly foods like garlic to a sign of a medical issue deep within the body. While some cases can be alleviated by brushing the teeth, chewing gums, or using mints, others need more than a one-off “cover-up” solution. As such, it's important to understand what causes halitosis to best solve the problem.

What Causes Bad Breath?

There are many potential causes of bad breath, and some of them are simple to fix; others not so much. Some of these include:

  • Foods, including garlic, onions, cabbage, dairy products, some fermented foods, and meat
  • Drinking coffee
  • Smoking and vaping
  • Dry mouth or issues with saliva
  • Poor dental hygiene – including inadequate or improper brushing and flossing
  • Failure to maintain regular dentist visits
  • Some medicines
  • Illicit drug use
  • Inflammation and/or infection (especially in the mouth/nasal cavities/throat)
  • Respiratory infections
  • Snoring and/or sleeping with the mouth open
  • Medical issues, including but not limited to allergies, sore throat, gastric reflux, and lung disease

How Does Halitosis Occur?

The mouth is home to millions of bacteria, some of which are essential to the body and others that are potentially harmful. Most bad breath is caused by these bacteria, which release sulphur-based compounds that smell.

If the healthy bacteria become unbalanced, or if you fail to maintain optimal oral hygiene, the bacteria can thrive and grow on the tongue, gums, teeth, and other tissues in the mouth. Furthermore, food particles stuck in or between the teeth can break down and smell, and gum inflammation can also cause bad breath.

Medical Causes of Halitosis

Up to 10% of cases of bad breath are not caused by an issue in the mouth at all – and this can be a warning sign of a bigger medical issue. For example, tonsillitis may cause a rotten egg odour on the breath, while a ketogenic diet or uncontrolled diabetes may result in a fruity smell. Sinus infection or disease may lead to a cheesy smell, and lung conditions (including asthma) can cause an acidic odour. A fishy or ammonia-like odour can result if a person has kidney disease, while bowel obstruction, liver disease, and lung cancer each have their own distinct odour on the breath.

Some medicines can also lead to bad breath.

Strategies to Overcome Bad Breath

  1. Oral Hygiene: Treating and preventing halitosis are not difficult. Maintain a high level of oral hygiene, and use quality toothbrushes, floss, tubes of toothpaste, and mouthwashes from reputable sources of dental supplies in Melbourne or near you. Brush your teeth (including gums) at least twice every day and floss every night before bed. Brushing your tongue is also a good idea. You should replace your toothbrush at least every three months. Use an alcohol-free mouthwash and clean dentures, retainers, dental bridges, etc properly every day.
  2. Diet: Snack on apples and drink plenty of fresh, plain water. Avoid sodas and fruit juices, as these are full of sugar which contributes to tooth decay. Chew sugar-free gum to promote saliva production, which helps keep the mouth clean. Be aware of foods that lead to bad breath – coffee, garlic, canned fish, deli meats, and dairy products (especially cheese).  Garlic, for example, is absorbed via the bloodstream and releases odour through the tongue. Some foods (like cabbage) create a lot of gas in the gut and this can also be released via the mouth.
  3. Health: See your doctor for help managing allergies, sinus issues, sore throats, indigestion, or gastric reflux. Take steps to prevent snoring and seek help for dry mouth if this is an issue for you. Moderate alcohol consumption and quit smoking. Consider taking a high-quality probiotic daily.
  4. Avoid Oral Piercings – especially of the tongue – the mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria and infection is more likely here than almost anywhere else on the body.

Conclusion

Bad breath or halitosis can be very detrimental to a person's confidence and interpersonal relationships, and it can impact how one performs both socially and in the workplace. It can also signify a medical issue needing attention.  By visiting your dentist twice a year and your GP when needed, you can resolve the issue. You should also maintain the highest level of dental hygiene as a daily aspect of your personal grooming and care.