Bad breath, also known as halitosis, can be humiliating and even cause anxiety in certain people.
It's no surprise that store shelves are brimming with gum, mints, mouthwashes, and other breath-freshening items.
However, since they do not solve the root of the issue, all of these items are just temporary solutions.
Bad breath can be caused by a variety of foods, health conditions, and behaviors.
In certain cases, good dental hygiene will help you get rid of bad breath.
If basic self-care methods don't work, see your dentist or physician to make sure your bad breath isn't caused by anything more severe.
Symptoms
Bad breath odors differ, depending on the source or the underlying cause.
Some people are overly concerned about their breath, even if they have little or no mouth odor, while others are unaware that they have bad breath.
Since it's difficult to determine how your own breath smells, ask a close friend or relative to validate your bad-breath questions.
When do you see a doctor?
Refresh your breath if you have bad breath.
Food is a must.
Food particles breaking down in and around your teeth can lead to an increase in bacteria and a foul odor.
Poor breath can also be caused by such ingredients, such as onions, garlic, and spices.
These foods enter your bloodstream after digestion, travel to your lungs, and affect your breathing.
Tobacco-related goods
Smoking produces a foul odor in the mouth.
Gum disease, another cause of bad breath, is more common in smokers and oral tobacco users.
Dental hygiene is an issue.
Food particles linger in your mouth if you don't clean and floss on a regular basis, causing bad breath.
Plaque is a colorless, sticky bacteria film that develops on your teeth.
Plaque will irritate your gums and eventually form plaque-filled pockets between your teeth and gums if not brushed away (periodontitis).
Bacteria that contain odors may also be trapped on your tongue.
You have a dry mouth.
Saliva aids in the cleansing of the mouth by eliminating particles that cause odors.
Since saliva production is reduced, a condition known as xerostomia (zeer–o-STOE-me-uh) may lead to bad breath.
Dry mouth naturally happens during sleep, contributing to "morning breath," and it worsens if you sleep with your mouth open.
Chronic dry mouth can be caused by a problem with your salivary glands and certain diseases.
Medications are prescribed.
Some drugs can trigger bad breath indirectly by causing dry mouth.
Others can be broken down in the body, releasing toxins that can be inhaled.
You have an infection in your mouth.
Bad breath may result from surgical wounds following oral surgery, such as tooth removal, or from tooth decay, gum disease, or mouth sores.
Some problems with the mouth, nose, and throat.
Small stones that grow in the tonsils and are covered with bacteria that create odor can cause bad breath on occasion.
Poor breath may be caused by infections or persistent inflammation in the nose, sinuses, or mouth, which may lead to postnasal drip.
There are other reasons.
Chemicals produced by diseases, such as certain cancers, and conditions, such as metabolic disorders, can induce a distinct breath odor.
Bad breath is linked to chronic stomach acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD).
A foreign body stuck in a nostril, such as a piece of food, may trigger bad breath in young children.
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Everybody’s Mom
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