Habits to avoid bad breath

Halitosis is a clinical sign characterized by bad breath or unpleasant odor, generally caused by bacteria.

Bad odor from the mouth, most of the time, is produced by bacterial decomposition through fermentation of food remains between the teeth, saliva, oral mucosa cells or blood.

It should be noted that two types of halitosis are distinguished:

• Genuine or transient: it usually occurs upon waking up, caused by the reduction of saliva during sleep and several hours without eating.
• Persistent: when it cannot be resolved with conventional hygiene methods and requires more specific treatment after diagnosis.

Likewise, it is important that we differentiate pseudohalitosis, in which there is no real halitosis but the patient believes that he has it due to his own perception, and halitophobia, which is an obsessive disorder in which the patient believes that he has halitosis even after  having been eliminated after treatment.

Therefore, if you think you suffer from halitosis, do not hesitate to go to Gross Dentistas in Malaga to properly diagnose your problem and help you treat it.

What is the importance of avoiding bad breath?

Halitosis is usually a frequent reason for consultation by patients, since it greatly affects their quality of life and their personal relationships, because it reduces self-esteem and can become a factor of social discrimination.

In addition, it is also usually diagnosed by professionals and can indicate a sign of illness, since many systemic diseases are associated with certain odors.

In recent years, interest in products that improve breath has greatly increased, due to social concern and high demand.

Main causes of bad breath

The main causes of bad breath are usually related to problems in the mouth.

Some of the most common causes include:

Bad oral higiene

The accumulation of  leftovers and bacterial plaque in the mouth can lead to bad breath. For this reason, improper brushing and flossing allows bacteria to multiply and release unpleasant odors.

Gum diseases

Gingivitis (gum infection) and periodontitis (more severe inflammation of the gums and bone damage) can cause bad breath due to inflammation and release of odorous substances.

Oral infections

On the other hand, infections in the mouth, such as dental abscesses or mouth ulcers, can be other causes of halitosis.

Dry mouth

Saliva helps keep your mouth clean by removing food particles and bacteria.

For this reason, chronic dry mouth, caused by medical problems or certain medications, can lead to bad breath.

Consume tobacco or alcohol

Smoking cigarettes and consuming alcohol can be another trigger for bad breath, due to the chemicals released and the sequence they cause.

Systemic diseases

Some medical conditions, such as diabetes, liver or kidney problems, and metabolic disorders, can be the cause of halitosis.

How to avoid bad breath? Follow these recommendations

Now that you know the main causes, it is time to learn our recommendations to avoid bad breath:

1. Brush your teeth: brush your teeth for two to three minutes 3 times a day to remove plaque and food debris.
2. Use of dental floss, irrigators or interproximal brushes: to remove food remains from between the teeth that you cannot reach with the toothbrush.
3. Brush the tongue: this is undoubtedly one of the most important aspects, since the tongue accumulates many bacteria and food remains, and thus we can eliminate any residue that may remain between the taste buds or folds of the tongue.
4. Use of mouthwashes.
5. Avoid tobacco, alcohol and coffee as they enhance halitosis.
6. Follow an appropriate diet, avoiding eating foods that have a strong smell (such as garlic or onion) and favoring the intake of those that promote increased saliva.
7. Drink plenty of water to promote saliva production and help achieve a fresher, better-smelling mouth.
8. Try not to breathe through your mouth.
9. Go to the dentist to explore the oral cavity and perform a tartrectomy to remove tartar and plaque.
10. Treat periodontal disease regularly to combat the bad odor it causes.

When it comes to pathological halitosis, avoiding it is not easy, so we recommend going to your dentist to diagnose the true cause of that bad smell and thus treat it in the best possible way.

Making halitosis disappear is possible! Do not hesitate to contact us if you want to never worry about it again.