Millions of people – an estimated 1 in 4 people globally – suffer from chronic bad breath/ halitosis. It can cause embarrassment and anxiety, but it’s relatively easy to remedy.
Another side effect of smoking is dry mouth, caused by bacteria in the mouth from tobacco. Dry mouth has a significant correlation to smoking, which is also a leading cause of halitosis. Dry mouth not only affects breath, but also affects gingivitis, making an even bigger case for the importance of regular dental checkups if you are a smoker.
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If you have oral appliances like braces, Invisalign aligners, or dentures, put some extra effort into making sure they’re sparkling clean. Ask your dentist or orthodontist for tips on keeping appliances clean if your having trouble, or are worried about bad breath.
Brushing your teeth and flossing after a meal will help to improve the scent of your breath. In the case of garlic, you can try to neutralize some of the sulfur and the odor by eating a raw apple, as Popular Science reported.
It is true that in a small percentage of cases bad breath is caused by a problem elsewhere in the body such as the ear, nose and throat, kidneys, lungs or intestines, but when this does happen it’s unusual for halitosis to be the only symptom.
Conclusion: Maintaining Fresh Breath for Optimal Health
Replacing these foods with probiotic-rich foods like yogurt and kefir and soft foods like potatoes, pasta, and soups can help your tonsils eliminate the bacteria from your throat.
Bad breath may also be caused by medications you are taking, including central nervous system agents, anti-Parkinson drugs, antihistamines/decongestants, anti-psychotics, anti-cholinergics, narcotics, anti-hypertensives, and anti-depressants.
Chewing sugar-free gum can help stimulate saliva production and promote fresher breath. Saliva plays a crucial role in washing away bacteria and food particles, so an increase in saliva can help reduce the likelihood of bad breath.
4. Hydrate! – Many people suffer from dry mouth, which aggravates bad breath. Whether the dry mouth is the result of a prescription medication side effect or simple dehydration, one important solution is drinking lots of water. Drinking water provides the necessary resources to your salivary glands for the production of saliva. It also helps to flush away dental plaque and food debris.
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Tonsil stone treatment is not always needed. Stones frequently either dissolve on their own or are coughed up.
Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.
Gum disease is caused by plaque - the sticky, often colorless, film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth. Dry mouth or xerostomia may also cause bad breath due to decreased salivary flow. Saliva cleans your mouth and removes particles that may cause odor. Tobacco products cause bad breath, stain teeth, reduce your ability to taste foods and irritate your gum tissues. Bad breath may also be a sign that you have a serious health problem, such as a respiratory tract infection, chronic sinusitis, postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, gastrointestinal disturbance, liver or kidney ailment.
Many people do brush and floss consistently, but their techniques are incorrect. This means that even though they are going through the motions, they are leaving plaque on the teeth. Others do not maintain a consistent routine of brushing and flossing every single day. Obviously, this also allows plaque to remain on the teeth.
The Stinky Truth: Why Your Breath Smells Like Poop and How to Fix It
If your bad breath is a short-term problem, it only requires a short-term solution! But even long-term halitosis sufferers can often find some measure of relief in these quick fixes, such as: