Bad breath is very common. In fact, about 45% of people have some form of bad breath, according to The Bad Breath Insitute. Medically known as halitosis or malodor, bad breath is not a painful condition but it can have severe outcomes.
What Causes Bad Breath?
According to most dentists, bad breath can be the result of plaque on your teeth or tongue, stomach problems, tooth decay, and several other conditions.
The best way to solve this problem is, of course, to visit a dentist, who will inspect your condition and find the cause. This is important because you can’t get rid of bad breath until you know the real reason for it.
Sometimes it’s only due to poor dental hygiene, like not brushing or flossing regularly. Food particles left in the mouth can begin to rot, which causes bad breath and can lead to other serious dental issues as well.
Causes of Bad Breath Include:
•Throat or mouth infections
•Cavities
•Gum disease
•Tonsils
•Throat or mouth cancers
•Sinus infections
•Nasal polyps
•Diabetes
•Digestive system disorders
•Lung problems
•Liver disease
According to Statistics from the Journal of Natural Science, Biology, and Medicine, about 90% of the people who have bad breath have it as a result of an oral source, mostly cavities or gum disease, tonsils, and cracked filling.
Eating certain foods, such as garlic or onion, can also cause you to have bad breath, but the outcome is usually temporary and nothing to worry about. Other habits, such as smoking and chewing tobacco, can also cause you to have bad breath. The results of those habits can be long-term and you’ll have to quit them to have good breath again.
Why You Should Worry about Bad Breath
Bad breath can be tough on the people around you. You can’t always be sure if your breath smells good or not because you are used to it. However, people around you can always smell it.
Moreover, it can also often be a sign of something more serious. Bad breath can be an indicator of gum issues and other dental problems including cavities. So it’s important that you visit a dentist and get yourself checked to make sure there are no underlying causes.
How Can I Tell if My Breath Stinks?
As mentioned earlier, you can’t always tell if you have a bad breath. Remember that it is normal to have bad breath in the morning. It usually disappears once you brush. However, if it continues throughout the day then it may be a sign of something serious.
If you do not know how your breath smells, but you want to find out, you can ask a trusted friend or your family members for help. It may sound a little disgusting but it’s the best way to know how your breath truly smells.
In case you don’t want to ask someone to smell your breath, you can also opt for a self-test. Lick your hand, and then take a whiff. What you smell is your true breath. Blowing air and smelling it will not give you true results.
How to Get Rid of Bad Breath?
If your breath smells bad, it can be very hard for you to find the cause of it. So, we recommended that you visit a dentist and ask for a professional opinion.
We can help you not only find the cause of bad breath but also fight it. We’ll analyze your condition and give you the right tips to help get rid of bad breath.
In most cases, improving dental hygiene, changing toothpaste, and using a decent mouthwash can do the trick. However, if your bad breath is due to something serious then another treatment may be recommended.