Coconut oil is commonly used for oil pulling due to its antimicrobial properties. Swishing coconut oil in the mouth for 10-15 minutes can help kill bacteria and freshen breath. It is important to note that oil pulling should not replace regular oral hygiene practices but can be used as a supplement to maintain good oral health.
Gum disease threatens your teeth, but can also lead to deadly consequences in the form of heart disease, dementia, or cancer.
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The stomach ulcers caused by H. pylori bacteria, combined with other factors, result in the same. A physician can prescribe antibiotics to deal with the bacteria after checking the symptoms.
Sinus Infections and Allergies: How They Affect Your Breath
If the dentist determines that the cause of bad breath is not related to oral health, they may refer you to a doctor for further evaluation. The doctor can assess your overall health and determine if there are any underlying medical conditions that need to be addressed.
After you eat, let your food digest before performing physical activity or lying down. This can allow the contents in your stomach to digest while your LES stays closed.
Using a tongue scraper can be an effective way to remove bacteria from the surface of the tongue. This can help reduce bad breath and prevent the formation of tonsil stones.
Smoking is not only harmful to your overall health but also to your oral health. Smoking can cause bad breath, stained teeth, and gum disease. The chemicals in tobacco products can dry out the mouth and decrease saliva production, leading to an increase in bacteria growth and bad breath.
Certain habits can also cause bad smells in the mouth. In general, these habits include smoking of any kind, smokeless tobacco use and e-cigs/vaping. Smoking cigarettes causes the strongest, most noticeable alteration in your breath. Smoker’s breath has a very distinct odor that does not respond well to home treatments.
In most cases, halitosis can be treated and prevented through good oral hygiene practices and lifestyle changes. However, there are instances where bad breath may be a sign of a more serious underlying condition.
Cough: You might discover that you have a tonsil stone when you cough. Coughing with some energy may help in loosening the stone.
In addition to tongue scraping, other oral care practices can also help prevent bad breath. Using a water flosser can help remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and along the gumline. Chewing sugar-free gum can stimulate saliva production and help wash away bacteria.
People with ill-maintained oral hygiene are at a prime risk of halitosis. Older people or patients with neurological diseases with poor coordination of hand and wrist movements can develop halitosis since they cannot maintain their oral hygiene. Dehydration, diabetes, and other diseases that reduce the body’s water content can also be risk factors. Patients with gastric diseases such as H.pylori infection or gastro-esophageal reflux might also develop halitosis if their primary disease is not treated.
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.
- Sugary foods: Bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar and produce acids that can contribute to bad breath.
The Risks of Ignoring Tonsil Stones and Halitosis
Treatment for throat-related bad breath will depend on the underlying cause. For example, if GERD is the culprit, lifestyle changes and medication may be recommended. If sinusitis is causing bad breath, nasal irrigation and medication may be prescribed. Tonsil stones may require removal by a healthcare professional.