The role of oral hygiene in halitosis prevention
Remember to gargle with salt water and practice good oral hygiene to prevent tonsil stones from forming. Small tonsil stones can be removed at home, but if you have large tonsil stones or are experiencing severe symptoms, it's best to see a doctor for proper treatment.
.
Can cavities cause bad breath or halitosis? Tooth decay occurs when bacteria break down the tooth enamel and dentin, resulting in cavities. The bacteria responsible for cavities can cause bad breath and are, therefore, can be one of the causes of halitosis.
Even with all of these causes of bad breath, most bad breath is due to a simple problem: poor oral hygiene. If you keep your teeth and mouth clean, food particles can stay in your mouth and allow a sticky buildup of bacteria known as plaque to form on your teeth. The uneven surfaces on your tongue and tonsils are especially good at trapping food and bacteria that can cause bad breath.
Speaking of what causes bad breath, you might actually find some of them surprising.
Large cavities and progressive gum disease both provide perfect hiding spots for large collections of bacteria. As cavities worsen, bacteria accumulate in actual holes in the teeth. When gum disease progresses, deep pockets develop between the tooth’s roots and the surrounding gum and jawbone. The deep pockets are breeding grounds for bacteria that become more dangerous as the pocket deepens.
It is important to note that while natural remedies can be effective in freshening breath, they should not replace proper oral hygiene practices.
While eating any type of food can lead to bad breath, as the bits of food end up becoming a meal for the bacteria that call your mouth home, garlic tends to be the worst offender. In part, that’s because garlic contains sulfur compounds that get absorbed into the bloodstream and that take some time to break down.
To make herbal tea for fresh breath, steep a tea bag or a teaspoon of dried herbs in a cup of hot water for 5-10 minutes. Strain the tea and let it cool down to a comfortable temperature. Drink the tea slowly, swishing it around in your mouth before swallowing. Repeat this process several times a day for best results.
The problem with this method is that breathing into your hands doesn’t propel breath out from the back of your mouth in the same way that happens when you talk. So when you breathe into your hand you might miss out on the smells from the gases produced at the back of your tongue, the main place where bad breath originates.
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
Other dental causes of bad breath include poorly fitting dental appliances, yeast infections of the mouth, and cavities.
Most of the time, the most effective way to treat bad breath is by practicing good oral hygiene.
There are some things a person can do to eliminate or at least temporarily mask bad breath. Good oral hygiene, such as brushing the teeth and tongue and flossing, keeps the mouth healthy and can often get rid of bad breath, at least in the short term. Mouthwash may temporarily mask bad breath and can help with oral hygiene. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking on sugar-free mints may temporarily mask bad breath odor. For more serious cases of bad breath, dentists can prescribe special toothpaste and mouthwash that can improve the symptoms of bad breath.
Other medical conditions that can cause bad breath include gastrointestinal issues like acid reflux or liver disease. These conditions can cause stomach acids or toxins to be released into the mouth, resulting in an unpleasant odor.
Understanding the causes of bad breath can help you make the necessary decisions and changes to address the problem. There are quite a few potential causes of bad breath, and many people have more than just one. While it can be tough to discern exactly which of these problems are leading to the unpleasant smell, we have tools to address each one of them.
Severe mouth odor is typically caused by dental infections that require treatment by a qualified dental professional. Other common causes of bad breath include diets containing certain foods, smoking and other tobacco use, poor oral hygiene, some medications, and may even result from health conditions present throughout the body.