Bad breath can be more than just socially awkward – it can be the end of a budding romance before it even begins. Unfortunately, bad breath, also known as halitosis or “fishy” breath, is almost universal. It’s so prevalent that we tend to dismiss it as a minor inconvenience rather than a genuine problem.
Read on to find out what causes bad breath and how to fix it with some simple home remedies, diet changes, and lifestyle tweaks.
Mouth Causes of Bad Breath
Bad breath can be caused by bacteria that grow inside the mouth. When left untreated, this can lead to a number of oral health issues, like cavities, gum disease, and tooth decay. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to prevent these health issues from happening to you:
- Brush your teeth regularly: A good brushing twice a day will help remove these bacteria and prevent them from causing damage.
- Floss your teeth once a day: This will help remove bacteria and food particles stuck in your teeth and gums.
- Visit your Leawood dentist regularly: This will allow your Leawood dentist to check your teeth and gums and repair any damage found.
- Drink plenty of water: This will help keep your mouth moist and healthy.
Food-Caused Bad Breath
Some foods, like garlic, onions, and green apples, emit strong scents that can linger in your mouth for several hours. If you eat these food items regularly, you might experience bad breath.
The smell can be removed, however, if you brush your teeth and tongue regularly. Eating healthy foods will also go a long way in giving your mouth and teeth the nutrients they need to stay healthy. Also, avoid tobacco products and drinks that cause bad breath. These include coffee, strong tea, and alcohol.
Bacterial Causes of Bad Breath
Bad breath caused by bacteria in the mouth is known as halitosis or bad breath. Most bacteria that cause this condition are found in the back of your tongue and on the soft surface of your palate (roof of your mouth).
These bacteria that cause bad breath need a moist, dark, and warm environment to survive. If they are not treated, they can cause damage to your teeth.
Some of the ways you can prevent bad breath include flossing, brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, and eating a healthy diet to reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth. You can also rinse your mouth with a mouthwash that contains alcohol or a homemade mouthwash that contains baking soda, or saltwater.
In Conclusion
With so many causes of bad breath, it can be difficult to pinpoint for certain what is causing your breath to smell. Make sure to keep an eye out for any of these signs of bad breath, and do what you can to combat it. If you’re going to meet people, or need to speak in public, it’s best to try and treat the problem before it gets out of hand. You can do this with the help of some of the methods we’ve listed above.
