6 Reasons for Bad Breath and How to Get Rid of It

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Dental floss will help remove plaque and food debris from the interdental spaces inaccessible by a toothbrush. Dentists do not recommend abusing mouthwashes as many of them contain antibacterial components (triclosan, chlorhexidine) that can cause dysbiosis and alcohol which causes dry mouth.

Main Causes of Bad Breath

1. Dental diseases 

In untreated dental diseases, carious cavities may accumulate food debris, which creates a favorable environment for harmful bacteria. This gives not only an unpleasant odor but also exacerbates the carious process, which is fraught with the loss of a tooth. Gum disease and periodontal disease are also accompanied by an unpleasant odor. In order to prevent serious complications, you need to visit your family dentist so the doctor will prescribe treatment and check whether your tooth brushing technique is correct.

2. Dry mouth (xerostomia) 

Saliva cleanses, moisturizes, and maintains the health of the entire oral cavity. It neutralizes the acids that secrete plaque microorganisms and flushes dead epithelial cells from the tongue, gums, and cheeks. Dry mouth can have various causes: this is a side effect of certain medications, a sign of problems with the salivary glands, diseases of the upper respiratory tract and pharynx (sinusitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis). But most often the cause is you just aren’t getting the daily intake of water, which is 2–2.5 liters.

4. Nutrition 

Bad breath can be caused by both spicy foods and nutrition systems as intermittent fasting and low-carb diets. For example, onions and garlic, give a "flavor" that remains not only in your mouth but also in the stomach after digestion. Their decay products enter the lungs with blood and are excreted with breathing. 

With low-carb diets, fats become the main source of energy for the body and in the process of their splitting, substances with an unpleasant odor (ketones) are formed.

5. Smoking 

The main cause of bad breath when smoking is found to be the chemicals in cigarettes. These chemicals accumulate in the mouth. The tar and nicotine from your cigarettes are deposited in your mouth. Chemicals can stick to places such as teeth, gums, tongue, and sides of the cheeks. This causes the smoker's breath to form.

6. Diseases of the internal organs

Sour smell and taste in the mouth, which are accompanied by belching, heartburn, and abdominal pain are signs of stomach problems. Kidney diseases manifest themselves in bitter breath and the smell of acetone. 

Bad breath also indicates problems with the pancreas or the risk of diabetes. A sweet, rotten smell and a yellowish coating on the tongue indicate stagnation of bile and liver problems.

Ways to Get Rid of Bad Breath

• Thoroughly brush your teeth twice a day and rinse your mouth with water after each meal

• Visit your dentist regularly. Routine examinations should take place every six months. During these visits, the doctor will be able to carry out professional toothbrushing with special tools or timely to identify the problem and prescribe a treatment

• Drink 2–2.5 liters of water per day to avoid dry mouth

• Perhaps you should reconsider your eating habits: exclude spicy foods a few hours before you are going to leave the  house

• Quit smoking. Fresh breath is only a small part of the benefits that you receive when you quitting smoking

• If all of the above methods do not help, or in addition to the bad breath you experience other unpleasant sensations in the body, consult a physician. The doctor will prescribe tests and refer you to a specialist if necessary.