Bad breath, medically termed halitosis, is an intolerable or smelly odor from an individual’s mouth that affects numerous people. Bad breath can be embarrassing, and some people find it reluctant to discuss it with their dentist. However, you are not alone, as it is relatively common. Once the cause is identified through early assessment, you can eliminate the condition and improve oral health through appropriate self-care and bad breath treatment. Scroll down to know more!

Bad breath – An overview
Bad breath usually happens due to the accumulation of bacteria in the mouth from a lack of personal oral hygiene routine. The odor is caused due to the presence of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) in the mouth. In rare cases, bad breath could be a warning sign of a severe health condition. Therefore ensure to get it addressed by consulting with a dental professional.

What are the symptoms of bad breath?

• Bad taste in the mouth
• Frequent dry mouth
• Accumulation of excess plaque in, between, and around the teeth
• Thick saliva
• White coating on the tongue
• Anxiety and fatigue

What are the causes of bad breath?

• Poor oral hygiene – If you have poor hygiene practices like irregular brushing or flossing, food particles will remain in your mouth, releasing bad odor.
• Bacterial infection – Bad breath commonly happens due to bacteria in your mouth. When you consume any food item, these bacteria feed on them and emit a foul smell behind them.
• Dry mouth – When your mouth is not producing adequate saliva, it might induce bad breath. Saliva is essential for oral health as it washes your mouth after every meal. A dry mouth happens due to specific prescription plans and issues in the salivary glands by simply breathing through the mouth.
• Foods – Consuming certain items like garlic and onions can affect your breath. When these food particles enter your mouth, they break down to create a smelly odor. Even when they enter the bloodstream, they will reach the lungs and affect the breath.
• Other medical conditions – Mouth infections like tonsils can also induce bad breath in a person. In addition, certain medical conditions, sinus, gastric reflux diseases, diabetes, liver diseases, or kidney disease, can also result in halitosis.

What are the treatments for bad breath?
Based on the case and symptoms, one or a combination of the following bad breath treatment will be recommended by your dentist.

• Professional cleaning – Regular dental cleaning is highly suggested to remove the formation of plaque and tartar between teeth. It will also address gum disease, which might lead to bad breath.
• Surgery – If the bad breath is due to cancer or other chronic condition, surgery will be recommended to remove the affected area.

Home remedies for bad breath
If you sense bad breath, you can try some simple home remedies before you visit the healthcare professional. Below we have listed some practical tips.

• Rinse your mouth with warm salt water – Gargling with salt water is an easy and natural way to prevent bad breath. Mix ¼ or ½ of salt in 8 ounces of warm water. Take a swig of the water around your mouth for a few seconds and spit it out.
• Chew cloves – Cloves have the potential to instantly freshen up your breath and destroy bacteria that induce cavities. You can chew a few cloves 3 or 4 times daily.
• Gargle with fennel water – Fennel seeds are typically used to remove bad odor and prevent the growth of harmful microbes. You can boil fennel seeds and gargle using warm water for clean oral health.

How can you prevent bad breath?
Some people are unaware of their bad breath and hesitate to ask a professional about it. Here are some tips to keep bad breath at bay.

• Brushing – Brush your teeth regularly, especially after meals.
• Flossing – Though brushing can clean your teeth surface, flying rescues the accumulation of plaque/
• Stay hydrated – Drink plenty of water daily to stay hydrated. It will decrease the chance of dry mouth and increase your saliva production.
• Brush the tongue – Use a scraper to prevent the mouth from drying after meals. It will also reduce the chance of bacteria building up on your tongue.
• Regular dental checkups – Visiting your dental specialty regularly and examining your teeth once in three months is also advisable. In addition, it will help diagnose chronic conditions like gum disease or bad breath in the early stage.

Final words
Every individual has bad breath at least some point in life or occasionally, especially in the morning. The good news is that the condition is completely curable in the advanced medical world. Despite being a common dental problem, it can cause anxiety and embarrassment and might increase the severity of the underlying condition if left untreated. Therefore, follow the proper treatment approach and good hygiene practices to improve oral health.