Understanding the Causes of Bad Breath
Halitosis vs. normal bad breath: What's the difference?
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If your dentist determines that your mouth is healthy and the odor is not of oral origin, you may be referred to your family doctor or to a specialist to determine the odor source and treatment plan. You can go over a list of your medications with them to see if any of them could be adding to the problem. Work with them to keep diabetes, allergies, and other conditions under control.
They are made of a material called biofilm. Hence, they are not contagious. Biofilm is a combination of bacteria and fungi present in your mouth interacting with the mouth’s chemistry. The mixture thus formed attaches itself to a moist and wet surface.
People with larger tonsils are more prone to developing tonsil stones. The larger tonsils have more crevices and crypts, which can trap debris and lead to tonsil stone formation.
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 to control the levels of bacteria in your mouth. When your body doesn’t produce enough saliva, odor-causing bacteria can thrive.
Staying hydrated is essential for maintaining fresh breath. When we don't drink enough water, our mouths can become dry, leading to a condition known as dry mouth or xerostomia. Dry mouth reduces saliva production, which is crucial for washing away bacteria and food particles.
It's wise to brush those gnashers regularly to avoid whiffy breath, even if you're a hippo at London Zoo (Credit: Getty Images)
On the other hand, there are foods that can actually help freshen breath. Fruits and vegetables, such as apples, carrots, and celery, can help stimulate saliva production and wash away bacteria and food particles that can cause bad breath. Additionally, drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help prevent dry mouth, which is another common cause of bad breath.
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These keep the gums and teeth clean as well as the beta carotene in carrots can boost up oral hygiene. You can also remove a tonsil stone with the back of the toothbrush. With the non-bristle part of the toothbrush, gently free the tonsil stones from the throat. This also helps to remove the bacteria as well as prevent further stones from developing. Due to its acidic properties, apple cider vinegar works by breaking the stones into smaller pieces and finally rinsing them off completely. But first, remember to dilute with it water before gargling. Taking it raw can cause a burning sensation in the mouth and throat.
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Tonsil stones form when the food particles, bacteria and mucus gets trapped in the pockets of the tonsils. When you don’t maintain healthy oral hygiene, the particles and bacteria can get trapped. This trapped debris is the hub of bacteria to infest. This can lead to infections and cause symptoms such as soreness, swelling, and even bad breath.
Sometimes, tonsil stones can cause infection, and the infection can spread to the rest of your tonsil. Usually, symptoms of tonsil infection include ear pain, large tonsil stones, pain in your throat or tonsils, and difficulty breathing.
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.
Along with bad breath, other symptoms of tonsilloliths are ear pain, swollen tonsils, an accumulation of white-colored debris, as well as trouble swallowing.