Bad breath is embarrassing at social gatherings and causes distress. A healthy lifestyle can prevent it, as can a proper diet. Consulting the doctor does help.
Bad breath, also called halitosis, can be embarrassing and, in some cases, may even cause anxiety. Certain foods, health conditions, and habits are among the causes of bad breath. Consistent, proper dental hygiene helps. If simple self-care techniques do not solve the problem, meet up with the dentist or physician.
How to get rid of bad breath?
Foods like garlic, onions, and even egg yolks are high sulphur foods, which can contribute to bad breath and even foul-smelling sweat. Eliminating these foods from your diet can help you get rid of bad breath.
Causes
The causes include:
- Food breakdown around the teeth can multiply bacteria, leading to bad breath.
- Smoking tobacco.
- Poor dental hygiene.
- Dry mouth – in conditions such as xerostomia, there is decreased production of saliva, which helps to cleanse the mouth.
- Some medications also contribute to bad breath.
- Mouth infections can occur after oral surgery, tooth extraction, tooth decay, or gum disease.
- Infections of the nose, sinuses, or throat.
- Some disease conditions, such as cancer and metabolic disorders.
Symptoms
Bad breath odors vary, depending on the source or the underlying cause. Some people worry too much about their breath, even though they have little or no mouth odor, while others have bad breath and don’t know it. Because it’s difficult to assess how your own breath smells, ask a close friend or relative to confirm your bad-breath questions.
Causes of bad breath
1. Allergies
Allergies can lead to unpleasant symptoms like sneezing and itchy eyes and cause bad breath. For example, sinus congestion as well as post-nasal drip can indeed be major sources of halitosis. If congested, the person tends to breathe via one’s mouth instead of the nose, leading to dryness in one’s mouth. This dryness does tend to allow bacteria to accumulate, leading to bad breath.
Post-nasal drip does cause mucus to accumulate in the nose as well as the throat, thus leaving a film on the back of the tongue that can lead to a breeding ground for bacteria.
An over-the-counter nasal spray or visiting the doctor helps. less exposure to allergens such as pollen and dust mites. Also, consider getting allergy testing to pinpoint the exact source of the problem and create a treatment plan that works.
2. Dry Mouth
Dry mouth occurs when one’s salivary glands do not produce sufficient saliva, resulting in a dry sensation. This could be due to dehydration, medications, or even medical conditions. It can also be due to lifestyle habits like smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and breathing via the mouth.
Without enough saliva, bacteria can accumulate and also cause an unpleasant odor. Also, dry mouth can lead to a sticky film forming on the tongue and one’s teeth, where bacteria hides.
To combat a dry mouth, try drinking plenty of water or sucking on sugar-free candy to stimulate saliva production.
3. Medications
Medications do help feel better, but a few have unpleasant side effects, like bad breath. Several medicines do cause dry mouth. Few medications give the breath a pungent odor that lingers for hours.
In order to prevent these side effects, drink plenty of water, use an alcohol-free mouthwash, or perhaps chew on natural mints to stimulate saliva production.
4. Low-Carb Diet
Low-carb diets have rather become popular for weight loss and other health benefits, but they have an unpleasant side effect: bad breath.
Eating foods high in fiber and protein can indeed help reduce bad breath, as they help neutralize acids in the mouth. Avoiding sugary snacks and drinks can also help protect the teeth and gums from decay caused by bacteria.
5. Sinus Infection
Sinus infections, or sinusitis, can rather cause excess mucus to build up in the nose and also in the throat, thus allowing bacteria to grow and causing halitosis.
Conclusion
Bad breath occurs due to faulty dietary habits and even medicines.