Bad breath (halitosis) can result from poor oral hygiene habits
and may be a sign of other oral health problems. Bad breath can
also be made worse by the types of foods you eat and other
unhealthy lifestyle habits.
How does what you eat affect breath?
All the food
you eat begins to be broken down in your mouth. As foods are
digested and absorbed into your bloodstream, they are eventually
carried to your lungs and given off in your breath. If you eat
foods with offensive odors (such as garlic or onions), your best
efforts at brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash will only cover
up the odor temporarily. The odor will not completely go away until
the food is eliminated from the body.
Why do poor habits cause bad breath?
If you don't
brush and floss your teeth daily, food particles can remain in your
mouth, which promotes bacteria growth between teeth, around the
gums, and on the tongue. This causes bad breath. In addition,
odor-causing bacteria and food particles can cause bad breath if
dentures are not properly cleaned daily.
Smoking or chewing tobacco-based products can also cause bad
breath, stain teeth, reduce your ability to taste foods, and
irritate gum tissues.
What health problems are associated with bad
breath?
Persistent bad breath or bad taste in your mouth
may be warning signs of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is
caused by the buildup of plaque on teeth. The bacteria cause toxins
or poisons to form in the mouth, which irritate the gums. Damage
can occur to the gum and jawbone as periodontal disease
progresses.
The medical condition dry mouth can also cause bad breath.
Saliva is necessary to moisten and cleanse the mouth by
neutralizing acids produced by plaque and washing away dead cells
that accumulate on the tongue, gums, and cheeks. If not removed,
these cells decompose and can cause bad breath. Dry mouth may be
caused by the side effects of various medications, salivary gland
problems, or continuous breathing through the mouth.
Other diseases and illnesses can also cause bad breath. Some of
these medical problems include: respiratory tract infections (for
example, infections involving the nose, throat, windpipe, lungs);
chronic sinusitis; postnasal drip; chronic bronchitis; diabetes;
gastrointestinal disturbances; or liver or kidney problems.
What can I do to prevent bad breath?
Bad breath can be reduced or prevented if you:
- Practice good oral hygiene. Brush at least twice a day
with fluoride toothpaste to remove food debris and plaque. Brush
your teeth after you eat (keep a toothbrush at work or school to
brush after lunch). Don't forget to brush your tongue, too.
Replace your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months. Use floss or an
interdental cleaner to remove food particles and plaque between
your teeth once a day. Dentures should be removed at night and
cleaned thoroughly before being placed in your mouth the next
morning.
- See your dentist regularly -- at least twice a year. He
or she will conduct an oral examination and professional teeth
cleaning and will be able detect and treat periodontal disease, dry
mouth, or other problems that may be the cause of bad mouth
odor.
- Stop smoking and chewing tobacco-based products. Ask
your dentist for tips on kicking the habit.
- Drink lots of water. This will keep your mouth moist.
Chewing gum (preferably sugarless) or sucking on candy (preferably
sugarless) also stimulates the production of saliva, which helps
wash away food particles and bacteria.
- Keep a log of the foods you eat. If you think the foods
that you eat may be causing your bad breath, record what you eat so
that you can determine which foods may be contributing to the
problem. Bring the log to your dentist to review. Also make a list
of the medications you take. Some medications may play a role in
creating mouth odors.