Wednesday, 28 September
26 Sep
Bad breath can be a nuisance, but for some people, chronic bad breath, also known as halitosis, can be a source of anxiety and impact their quality of life.
According to Medical News Today, bad breath affects an estimated 1 in 4 people globally.
While there are several possible causes of halitosis, the main culprit is usually poor oral hygiene or diet. We take a look at six possible reasons behind that breath odour.
1. Spicy, fragrant foods
Garlic, raw onions and spices are usually the common offenders of short-term bad breath.
Have you ever tried getting rid of ‘garlic breath’ by brushing your teeth but had no luck? That’s because your stomach absorbs oils from this food during digestion, which then pass into your bloodstream and travel to your lungs, explains Healthline.
As a result, this causes an odour that others can notice in your breath for up to 72 hours or three days.
READ MORE | Why you should avoid mouthwashes that kill 99% bacteria – plus 3 top tips for healthy teeth and gums
2. Smoking
Smoking tobacco increases the chances of having gum disease, another source of bad breath, notes the Mayo Clinic.
It also dries out your mouth, worsening halitosis. This is because saliva helps keep your mouth clean and reduces odour by washing away harmful oral bacteria and food particles. One study also found that long-term smoking negatively affects the quality of saliva.
3. Drinking coffee
Who knew your daily cuppa Joe could be the reason behind your bad breath? Because coffee beans are roasted to bring out the aroma and flavour, the process causes sulphur-containing aroma compounds to form, explains Washington Dental Associates.
Unfortunately, these sulfuric compounds and the acid in coffee can cause bad breath.
Additionally, like smoking, drinking coffee can also cause dry mouth, leading to bad breath.
4. Drinking alcohol
When you drink too much alcohol, your body goes into protective mode and treats the substance as a toxin, converting it to less harmful chemicals. About 90% of the alcohol you consume is converted to acetic acid, which can lead to bad breath following an alcohol binge, explains the Lake Pointe Dental Group. And the more often you drink, the longer halitosis will stick around, it adds.
5. Not brushing, flossing
If you neglect your oral health, including brushing your teeth (or brushing the correct way) and flossing regularly, harmful bacteria will invade your mouth and multiply out of control, says the Cleveland Clinic.
READ MORE | How to floss
As a result, this can lead to issues such as halitosis, cavities and gum disease. Brushing helps to remove plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that builds up on your teeth and causes odour. Flossing removes food particles and plaque in places your toothbrush can’t reach, such as between your teeth.
6. Problems with your teeth or gums
According to the National Health Service (NHS), problems with your teeth or gums, such as gum disease, holes in your teeth, or an infection, can all contribute to bad breath. This stresses the importance of visiting the dentist every few months for a dental cleaning.
In terms of incidence, gum disease (Gingivitis and Periodontitis) ranks second to the common cold in, and it is estimated that 90% of South Africans will experience this problem at some point.#MouthProud #OralHealthMonth pic.twitter.com/IYSs1CMWhY
Gum disease happens when you don’t remove plaque promptly from teeth, and over time, plaque hardens into tartar, Healthline explains. Tartar can’t be removed by brushing, and it may cause pockets, or small openings, to form in the area between your teeth and gums. This allows food, bacteria and dental plaque to collect in these pockets, causing a strong odour.
Other causes
Bad breath can also occur due to several health conditions, such as heartburn, diabetes or disease in another part of your body, says the Cleveland Clinic. Infections in your nose, throat or lungs can also cause strong breath odours.
Certain medicines can also be behind bad breath, especially when taken long-term, explains the Lake Pointe Dental Group. Some of these include antidepressants, antihistamines and migraine medications.
READ MORE | Is brushing your teeth for two minutes enough? Here’s what the evidence says
Here are some oral hygiene basics to help you banish bad breath:
Ultimately, treatment for halitosis will depend on the root cause of the issue. For example, a dental cleaning will likely solve the problem if your breath odour is due to poor oral health or plaque buildup.
If you are concerned about bad breath that doesn’t go away, it is best to schedule an appointment with your dentist.
September is national Oral Health Month. Oral diseases affect 3.5 billion people worldwide, most of which are largely preventable.
21 Sep
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