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.
Bad breath can also be caused by poor dental hygiene, as it enables the buildup of food particles in the mouth and creates an environment that fosters the growth of bacteria on the teeth and tongue, both of which can lead to bad breath.
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However, there is also the possibility, albeit less common, that it originates outside the oral cavity. It is essentially due to disorders of the respiratory tract, the digestive system, or kidney or liver pathologies.
To make a baking soda mouthwash, mix one teaspoon of baking soda with a cup of warm water. Stir until the baking soda is completely dissolved. Use this mixture as a mouthwash, swishing it around in your mouth for 30 seconds to one minute before spitting it out. Rinse your mouth with plain water afterward. Repeat this process once or twice a day for best results.
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Lifestyle changes for maintaining fresh breath
To manage diet-related bad breath, it is important to be mindful of what you eat and drink. Avoiding foods with strong odors or opting for mints or gum after consuming them can help mask the smell. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day can also help flush out bacteria and keep your mouth hydrated, reducing the risk of bad breath.
To floss effectively, use a piece of floss about 18 inches long. Wrap the ends of the floss around your middle fingers and hold it tightly between your thumbs and index fingers. Gently slide the floss between your teeth, using a back-and-forth motion. Curve the floss around each tooth in a C shape and slide it up and down to remove plaque and debris. Be sure to floss both sides of each tooth and along the gumline. Use a clean section of floss for each tooth.
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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
Medical Treatments for Tonsil Stones and Halitosis
While there is not scientific evidence to support an answer to the question, we believe the answer is yes. It makes sense to assume that the masks trap our exhaled air against the face, providing the opportunity to smell it. If that exhaled air contains the sulfurous gases of bad breath, we believe that our noses are more likely to detect them in that trapped environment.
These compounds are given off when food and bacteria accumulate in the furrows at the back of the tongue. The good news is that this can be temporary, as a result of eating garlic or raw onions, drinking coffee or smoking cigarettes. But in three quarters of cases some kind of dental problem is found alongside the halitosis. The patients might have gums which are swollen, sore or infected or be suffering from a coating on the tongue.
Problems with these senses have a big impact on our lives. Smell and taste contribute to our enjoyment of life by stimulating a desire to eat which not only nourishes our bodies, but also enhances our social activities. When smell and taste become impaired, we eat poorly, socialize less, and feel worse. Smell and taste warn us of dangers, such as fire, poisonous fumes, and spoiled food. Loss of the sense of smell may indicate sinus disease, growths in the nasal passages, or, at times, brain tumors.
Is it OK to fly when you've got sinusitis? How about going to work? WebMD helps you decide what's right and wrong when you're all stuffed up.
It's important to note that mouthwash should not be used as a substitute for brushing and flossing. It should be used as an adjunct to your regular oral hygiene routine. Mouthwash can help freshen your breath temporarily, but it does not address the underlying causes of bad breath.
Small tonsil stones can be removed at home using a cotton swab or the back of your toothbrush. Gently apply pressure to the tonsil to push the stone out of the crevice.