Bad breath, also called halitosis, can be embarrassing and, in some cases, even cause anxiety. It’s no wonder that store shelves are overflowing with gum, mints, mouthwashes and other products designed to fight bad breath. But many of these products are only temporary measures because they don’t address the cause of the problem.
Certain foods, health conditions and habits are among the causes of bad breath. You can improve bad breath with consistent proper dental hygiene in many cases. If simple self-care techniques don’t solve the problem, see your dentist or physician to ensure a more serious condition isn’t causing your bad breath.
Key Takeaways:
- Bad breath is usually caused by the smelly gases released by the bacteria that coat your teeth, gums and tongue.
- Visit your dental team regularly, as often as they recommend. Clean in between your teeth with ‘interdental’ brushes or floss at least once a day.
- It is just as important to clean dentures to clean your natural teeth.
“Bad breath can also be caused by some medical problems. ‘Dry mouth’ (xerostomia) is a condition that means your mouth produces less saliva. This causes bacteria to build up in your mouth and this leads to bad breath.”
Read more: https://www.dentalhealth.org/bad-breath