Bad breath, or halitosis, in medical parlance is foul-smelling or unpleasant-smelling breath. It can be acute or chronic, depending on the cause. The Latin word for breath (halitosis) is combined with the Greek suffix “osis”, which means condition. Bad breath is caused by a whitish coating on the posterior portion of the tongue. Bad breath is caused by bacteria that thrives on the warm and moist tongue coating.
Bad Breath
What is the cause? Ever wonder what causes bad breath? Sinus infections, tonsillitis and lung diseases, as well as menstruation and cancer, can all cause halitosis. Morning bad breath is the most common type of bad breath. This is temporary and can be caused by factors like smoking, dry mouths, stress, hunger, or dry mouths.
Poor dental hygiene can cause food particles to become decayed inside the mouth. Transient bad breath can be caused by eating certain foods that have strong odours, such as garlic and tobacco. A specific type of bad breath can be caused by chronic liver disease. Sometimes, diabetes mellitus can cause a sweet, fruity-smelling odour in the breath.
Psychiatric Illness
Some people may feel bad breath but others don’t notice it. Bad breath may not be obvious to everyone. Bad breath is something that the nose’s odour-detecting cells eventually get used to. Others notice this and may react by restraining their speech. Bad breath can be caused by oral problems, which is common in most cases. A dentist can help you fix the problem. Periodontal gum disease can cause bad breath. This causes the gum tissues to pull away from your teeth and create pockets. A professional periodontal cleaning can remove bacteria and plaque. The dentist may recommend a special antimicrobial mouth rinse and brushing tongue to remove plaque if there is a lot of it.
Prevention
How can you prevent bad breath?
- Regularly brush and floss your teeth. Proper brushing involves brushing the roof of your mouth, cheeks, tongue, and roof of the mouth. This will remove bacteria and food particles.
- Dental problems can cause bad breath easily.
- Drinking plenty of water daily can also prevent bad breath. A rinse of your mouth with water can help loosen food particles.
- Regularly clean and replace your toothbrush.
- Avoid mouthwashes containing alcohol.
- Relax and avoid stress.
- Get enough exercise and sleep.
- Avoid spicy foods, strong odours, and foods that leave residues (alcohol and chocolates, cheeses, meats, sweets, etc.).
Natural Ingredients
Thymol, eukalyptol and eucalyptus oils are natural oils that help to kill bad breath bacteria. Fruit and vegetable juices help a great deal in getting rid of bad breath. You can also use breath-freshening gum, mint, or sugar-free chewing gum that dissolves on the tongue. Bad breath can be combated by drinking green tea, eating yogurt, and chewing sugarless cardamom gum.
Avoid alcohol-containing rinses as they dry out the mouth and can aggravate the problem. Removable dentures should be taken out at night. After brushing the dentures, soak them in a disinfecting solution overnight. Eat a raw, almost green guava. It is a great home remedy for bad breath or bleeding gums.
Make tea with fenugreek leaf leaves and enjoy it every day. Baking soda rinse can also be helpful in eliminating or reducing bad smells. Bad breath patients should eat a balanced diet that includes seeds, nuts, grains and vegetables. The emphasis should be on raw and cooked fruits.