Bad Breath – Unmasking the secrets behind it and ways to get rid of it

Bad breath, also known as Halitosis is a common problem worldwide. Almost 1 in 3 people have experienced bad breath. Nearly every one of us wonders, or has wondered sometimes if we have a bad breath too.  Halitosis or bad breath could be more than just a social embarrassment. It could be an indicator of a hidden disease or poor oral health. In order to understand the secret to get rid of bad breath, the first step is to understand what is causing it.

Causes of Bad Breath

• Poor Oral Hygiene

As per research about 85% of cases of smelly mouth are generally linked to oral causes. These might  include tooth decay, gum problems, oral infections, tonsil stones, ulcers in the mouth, food stuck between teeth, dry mouth, etc 

• Dietary Factors

Certain items such as garlic, onion, sugar, etc may contribute to halitosis. Drinks such as alcohol, coffee, etc may also cause it.

• Health Conditions

Medical conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, respiratory problems, and acidity may contribute to halitosis. 

• Lifestyle Choices

Smoking or consumption of tobacco products increases the chances of halitosis. Certain medicines may also contribute to it.

Signs Linked to Bad Breath

Bad breath itself may be a symptom indicating an underlying cause. A few signs linked to it are bad taste, coated tongue, dry mouth, decayed teeth, etc. 

How to know if you have bad breath?

Self-assessment techniques

1) Cotton swab test – Rub the back of your tongue with a clean cotton swab and smell it after a short interval. If it smells bad, you are likely to have it.

2) Wrist test: Lick the back of your wrist and let it air dry. After it dries, smell it. If it is smelly, then you have bad breath.

Professional evaluation by dentists 

There are multiple ways and special devices to examine halitosis. Organoleptic measurement, BANA test, Gas chromatography, Sulfide monitoring, and chemical sensors are a few of the commonly used methods. Dentists usually take your medical and diet history and evaluate it accordingly. 

Although self-assessment techniques may give you an idea about your breath, certain individuals may not have bad breath yet feel like they do. This is also called halitophobia.As a result, It is best to get it evaluated by a dentist.

How to get rid of this?

It is important to maintain good oral hygiene to eliminate this issue. Brushing twice a day, flossing correctly, use of tongue scrapper helps keep the mouth clean and avoid halitosis. If any food with a strong smell is consumed one should gargle or use a mouthwash to avoid the smell. 

Food or drinks that cause halitosis should be avoided. Drinking enough water is important. Sugar-free gums can also be used to maintain freshness and a hydrated mouth.

Mouth Odor due to certain medical conditions can be treated by taking appropriate treatment for that condition while maintaining oral hygiene.

Conclusion

Bad breath or Halitosis is an issue affecting many people. Most people with bad breath have a connection to some oral problem or poor oral hygiene. At times bad breath could be an indicator for some major health problem. There are ways to self-evaluate it and eliminate it by using basic techniques. If bad breath persists even after taking the required steps, a dentist should be consulted immediately, to eliminate any other issues that may be causing it.

References/ Further Reading

Causes and Management of Halitosis: A Narrative Review – PMC