bad breath velika.jpeg

Bad breath

Bad breath (medical term halitosis) can be very unpleasant and affects about 30% of the world’s population. It is therefore no wonder that shop shelves are full of chewing gums, menthol candies, different kinds of mouthwash, and other products for bad breath. Nevertheless, all these products are only a temporary solution, as they do not affect the very cause of the problem. Bad breath is a health condition that shatters your self-confidence and affects your daily life and personal relationships. And it is possible that you will not realise that you have this problem unless your family and colleagues do not point that out to you. The easiest way to test whether you have bad breath is to see if you have nasal discharge, bitter metal taste in your mouth, white layers on your tongue and thick saliva. Many symptoms of bad breath depend on the cause. One of the best ways to check if you have bad breath is to lick the inside side of your wrist, wait for a couple of seconds and then smell. 

Some kinds of food, a person’s health condition and bad habits are among the main causes of bad breath. In many cases, the problem of bad breath can be mitigated by persistent and proper oral hygiene. If that does not solve the problem, you should visit your dentist to make sure that there is not some other much more serious cause. 

How does food affect bad breath? Food is first of all chopped in the mouth. Then it is digested, absorbed into our bloodstream, after which it reaches the lungs. Thus, the food we eat can be felt in our breath. If you eat food with intense smell, such as garlic or onion, asparagus, curry, cumin and alcohol, tooth brushing and flossing will only temporarily hide the smell. It will not disappear completely until the food passes through our entire body. 

Why do bad habits cause bad breath? If oral hygiene is not regular, i.e. if we do not brush and floss our teeth, food remnants remain in the mouth, causing bacteria between teeth, around the gums and on the tongue. That causes bad breath. A mouthwash can also assist in reducing bacteria. Smoking or nicotine gums may be responsible for bad breath and tooth spots, irritated gums or reduced sense of taste. 

What health issues are connected with bad breath? Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth may be a warning sign of periodontal diseases (gum diseases). They are caused by accumulated plaque on the teeth and bacteria that produce toxins irritating the gums. If the condition is not treated in a timely fashion, the gums and the jaw can be permanently damaged. Problems with bad breath may also be caused by badly placed dental restorations, such as crowns and bridges, or by caries. Dry mouth (xerostomia) can also cause bad breath. Saliva is necessary to moisten the mouth, neutralise the acids producing plaque, and wash away dead cells accumulating on the tongue, the gums and the mucous membrane. If they are not removed, these cells will decompose and cause bad breath. Dry mouth may be a side effect of certain medicines, problems with salivary glands or constant mouth breathing. People with the problem of dry mouth may have difficulties speaking, swallowing and may have a burning feeling in their mouth, as well as dry eyes. Furthermore, there are other diseases related to bad breath. 

It is therefore necessary to consult your dentist about this problem should it persists. Proper teeth care and regular check-ups at least twice a year are the easiest way to avoid bad breath problems.