Certain foods and drinks can leave a lasting odor in your mouth, contributing to bad breath. Garlic and onions are notorious for causing bad breath due to their sulfur compounds. These compounds are absorbed into the bloodstream and then exhaled through the lungs, resulting in an unpleasant odor.
Experienced a little dehydration while under sunlight, enjoyed a spicy sandwich with additional garlic sauce, or had too many cups of coffee? Get ready to deal with halitosis! Several food items can cause bad breath (medically known as halitosis). However, chronic halitosis can be a sign of a severe medical condition as well.
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If your dentist has ruled out any oral problems that might cause a chronic bad breath, it is best to see you doctor for an evaluation too. This may indicate infection somewhere else in your body and can be a sign of a range of conditions like diabetes, strep throat, tonsilitis, respiratory tract infections, bronchitis, chronic sinusitis, HIV, digestive system ailments such as ref-lux or liver and kidney problems.
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.
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Chewing food increase saliva production, so when you are skipping meals or dieting, you can develop bad breath. A diet low in carbohydrates or any restrictive diet may increase your chances of bad breath. It is always good to drink plenty of water to keep you hydrated and to help maintain a good level of saliva in your mouth.
Maintaining good oral hygiene can prevent tonsil stones easily. Hence, it is important that you brush and rinse thoroughly every day. But if you have the problem of developing tonsil stones several times, it is best to get rid of them permanently. Visit an E.N.T specialist to know more surgeries such as tonsillectomy. Bad breath due to tonsil stones troubling every day? Visit our doctors today!
Dry Mouth: A Common Culprit of Chronic Bad Breath
2. Improves taste: A coated tongue can affect your sense of taste. By removing the coating with a tongue scraper, you can improve your ability to taste food and enjoy flavors more fully.
Foods and drinks that can cause bad breath:
Beyond Brushing and Flossing: Exploring the Lesser-Known Causes of Chronic Bad Breath
Laura Clark is a writer and editor based in Pittsburgh. She's a blogger with Smart News and a senior editor at Pitt magazine. Filed Under: Advertisements, Cool Finds, Health, Marketing Smart News History Science Innovation Arts & Culture Travel At The Smithsonian Podcast Photos Video Smithsonian Institution Smithsonian.com Smithsonian Store Smithsonian Journeys Smithsonian Channel Smithsonian Books Smithsonian Membership About Smithsonian Contact Us Advertising RSS Member Services Sustainability Terms of Use Privacy Statement Cookie Policy Advertising Notice © 2023 Smithsonian Magazine Privacy Statement Cookie Policy Terms of Use Advertising Notice Your Privacy Rights Cookie Settings
Saliva is a naturally occurring substance in our body that keeps the mouth, esophagus and digestive tract clean. Think of it as engine oil for your mouth and digestive system. Breaking your fast in the morning regenerates saliva so that the digestive system can continue to do its job. Skipping breakfast brings this entire process to a halt, introducing certain compounds in your mouth that not only lead to dryness but also bad breath.
It was also marketed to dentists as a way to kill germs in the mouth, but no one paid much attention until the 1920s. That's when, as Inglis-Arkell writes, the owner of the company, Jordan Wheat Lambert, and his son, Gerard, came up with a marketing plan that would forever change the dental aisle. The key was an old Latin phrase that had long dropped out of general usage and which, according to writers over at Cracked, meant “unpleasant breath.” A 1928 ad for Listerine reads in part: “No matter how charming you may be or how fond of you your friends are, you can not expect them to put up with halitosis (unpleasant breath) forever. They may be nice to you—but it is an effort.” Bettmann/CORBIS
Tonsil stones are formed when debris, such as food particles, dead cells, and mucus, become trapped in the crevices of the tonsils. Over time, these trapped materials harden and calcify, forming small stones. The exact cause of tonsil stones is not fully understood, but factors such as poor oral hygiene, chronic sinus issues, and large tonsils with deep crevices may contribute to their formation.
Breath mints and gum can also help alleviate bad breath from the throat. These products stimulate saliva production, which helps wash away bacteria and food particles. However, it is important to choose sugar-free options to avoid promoting tooth decay.
Many tonsil stones, especially those that don’t have symptoms, don’t need special treatment. It depends on their size and whether they might cause you trouble.