A number of things can contribute to you having a dry mouth, such as medications, smoking, and mouth breathing. When there is a lack of saliva in your mouth, bacteria won’t be rinsed out as well as they should be, which can lead to bad breath. Occasional dry mouth is normal, but bad breath could become chronic if you’re experiencing it regularly.
If you are noticing a bad smell underneath your own mask, do not worry! First of all, you’re not alone. One out of every four people experiences bad breath. Secondly, you are not stuck with your bad breath; in most cases, we can help you fix it.
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Bad breath wasn’t perceived as a medical condition until one company realized that it could help them sell mouthwash Walter Zerla/Blend Images/Corbis
Bad breath (halitosis) can be caused by a variety of things, including diet, medication, poor oral hygiene, and diseases or conditions such as diabetes, GERD, lactose intolerance, gum disease, and more. Treatment for bad breath depends on the cause.
1. Dietary Changes – When you identify the particular foods in your diet that create a bad smell, you can avoid them. Ask your loved ones to help you monitor times when your breath is worse than others. It may take some tracking to find which foods have the strongest effect. As you adjust your diet, you should experience an almost immediate improvement in your breath.
The most obvious symptom of halitosis is persistent bad breath that does not go away even after brushing or using mouthwash. Other symptoms may include a sour taste in the mouth or a white coating on the tongue.
Using mouthwash, gum, and mints will only cover up the problem. In most cases, following a proper dental hygiene routine will improve bad breath. If at-home care doesn't solve the problem, contact your dentist and schedule an appointment for a proper evaluation.
Unfortunately, even more people are unaware of strong bad breath. These may suffer rifts in personal relationships, avoidance by people at work or social occasions, or romantic rebuffs without understanding the underlying cause. People with chronic bad breath are less likely to advance within the workplace.
Controlling the intake of junk food and garlic-laden items can surely help in case halitosis is caused due to oral health issues. Patients are often urged to eat carbohydrate-rich foods rather than sugar-laden stuff.
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Scientists have found that the sense of smell is most accurate between the ages of 30 and 60 years. It begins to decline after age 60, and a large proportion of elderly persons lose their smelling ability. Women of all ages are generally more accurate than men in identifying odors.
In addition to poor oral hygiene and dietary factors, certain medical conditions can cause chronic bad breath. Dry mouth, or xerostomia, reduces saliva production, which leads to an increase in bacteria in the mouth. Sinus infections and respiratory conditions can also contribute to bad breath due to the presence of mucus and bacteria in the nasal passages.
If your breath still smells bad even after brushing your teeth it may be a sign of gum disease and/or cavities. The bacteria that cause bad breath can hide in cavities in your teeth. This makes it difficult to get rid of the bacteria when you're brushing your teeth because it's hidden in places that you can't reach. Similarly, these bacteria can hide in deep pockets caused by gum disease.
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Are you avoiding social meetings or hanging out with friends just because of your breath stink? Bad breath can be not only due to oral hygiene but also tonsil stones.
There are several over-the-counter products available that can help combat bad breath. Mouthwashes containing antibacterial agents like chlorhexidine or cetylpyridinium chloride can help kill bacteria and freshen breath. Breath mints or lozenges containing menthol or eucalyptus oil can also provide temporary relief from bad breath.
Saliva helps displace bacteria in the mouth that causes bad odors. When you have dry mouth, odor-causing bacteria is not washed away by saliva, resulting in bad breath. This is why most people have "morning breath;" your saliva production decreases when you are sleeping causing dry mouth and bad breath.