Smoking is a bad habit any way you slice it, but one thing it’s fairly well known for is causing halitosis, or “smoker’s breath.” Smoke particles can linger in the throat and lungs for hours, giving your breath a stale scent. The chemicals in tobacco smoke also remain in the mouth, leading to a whole host of secondary causes of bad breath. As mentioned briefly above, tobacco can lead to chronic bad breath by drying out the tongue and gums, leaving a chemical-filmed environment where oral bacteria can run amok. Giving up smoking is good for your body in many ways. Forget better breath – you’ll have a better quality of life!
International Dental Health Foundation: "Frequently Asked Questions: Bad Breath."
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Yes, small tonsil stones can be removed at home using a cotton swab or the back of your toothbrush. However, if you have large tonsil stones or are experiencing severe symptoms, it's best to see a doctor.
Bad breath bacteria loves the back of your tongue, because it’s an area that’s often neglected, allowing the stinky stuff to multiply. Use a toothbrush or a tongue scraper to clear them all out during your morning and evening hygiene routine.
The science behind bad breath: Understanding the causes
The Importance of Oral Hygiene in Maintaining Fresh Breath
2. Antimicrobial agents: Toothpastes that contain antimicrobial agents like triclosan or essential oils can help kill bacteria that cause bad breath.
It is important to be aware of your own breath and take steps to maintain fresh breath and good oral hygiene.
The buildup of plaque and bacteria that causes infection and disease also causes the unpleasant odour that goes along with halitosis. Your dentist will check for early signs of gum disease at every exam and cleaning as beginning stages often go undetected.
Take the Dental Health Quiz to test your IQ of oral hygiene, cavities, and common tongue and gum diseases. This quiz covers healthy mouths and teeth from brushing to flossing and everything in between check-ups!
Lifestyle changes that can improve overall oral health and prevent bad breath
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Start by standing in front of the mirror and aim the irrigator towards the stones. Due to the pressure of the water flow, the stones can be freed and fall at the back of the throat. This is not a safe option for children as they can choke. Probiotics are a rich source of live bacteria. So when you eat probiotics rich yogurt it coats the mouth with probiotics which reduces bad bacteria thriving in the mouth. This also improves your breath. Essential oils such as tea tree, thieves or lemongrass are rich in anti-inflammatory as well as antibacterial properties that can reduce or remove the tonsil stones completely. It is not at all advisable to use essential oils directly. You need to first dilute it with a carrier oil such as coconut oil.
Tonsil stones (also called tonsilloliths) form when bacteria and mucus get trapped and calcify in your tonsils' nooks and crannies, leaving a hard piece of matter and a bad taste in your throat. See a picture of Tonsil Stones and learn more about the health topic.
Here are some of the causes of bad breath, so you can be more confident when you show your smile.
Bad breath is caused by various factors, including poor oral hygiene, certain foods and drinks, smoking, dry mouth, and underlying health conditions. The most common cause of bad breath is the buildup of bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria break down food particles and release foul-smelling gases as a byproduct.
If you’re using a cotton swab, gently put pressure on your tonsil around the stone, like you’re popping a pimple.