Bad breath is a common problem experienced by many people of all ages. In addition to disturbing self-confidence, this condition can also be an indication of certain conditions, ranging from oral problems to digestive disorders.
About 3 in 10 people experience bad breath or halitosis. This condition often makes sufferers feel insecure and even interferes with their social relationships and quality of life.
Various Causes of Bad Breath
Bad breath is generally caused by the following things and conditions:
1. Certain foods or drinks
Bad breath can occur due to consumption of certain drinks or foods, such as coffee, onions, petai, jengkol, spices, and other pungent-scented foods.
However, bad breath due to consumption of strong-scented food or drink usually goes away on its own, but sometimes it can persist for the next few days.
2. Oral hygiene is not maintained
Food residue on the teeth, gums, or tongue can trigger the growth of bacteria and plaque in the mouth, causing bad breath.
Cleaning your teeth with a toothbrush and floss regularly can remove food debris trapped in your teeth before they rot and trigger bad breath.
3. Cigarettes
Smoking habits can also cause bad breath. Not only that, active smokers are also more at risk of developing gum disease and dry mouth which can make bad breath worse.
4. Dry mouth
dry mouth (xerostomia) occurs when the mouth does not produce enough saliva. In fact, saliva can clean the mouth of food residue that causes bad odor.
Dry mouth can naturally occur during sleep, especially sleeping with your mouth open. However, dry mouth can also be due to other causes, such as side effects of certain medications or problems with the salivary glands .
5. Digestive disorders
Bad breath can be caused by diseases related to the stomach and intestines (gastrointestinal), such as infections H. pylori and acid reflux disease (GERD).
6. Gum problems
Bad breath that lasts continuously can also be caused by gum problems. Gum disease is generally caused by the buildup of plaque on the teeth.
Bacteria in plaque then cause toxins that cause inflammation of the gums. If left untreated, this condition will harm the gums, teeth, and jawbone.
7. Mouth infection
Bad breath can also be caused by an injury or infection after oral surgery or tooth extraction. In addition, oral infections can also be caused by tooth decay, gum disease, or thrush.
In addition to the various conditions above, bad breath can also be caused by the following other diseases:
- Infections in the ear, nose and throat, such as sinusitis
- Respiratory tract infections, eg chronic bronchitis
- tonsil stones
- Diseases or disorders of the liver or kidneys
- Diabetes
- sleep apnea
How to PreventBad Breath
The good news, bad breath can be anticipated and prevented in simple ways. Here are some ways to get rid of bad breath:
Clean your teeth regularly
Brush your teeth at least 2 times a day for 2 minutes. Try to brush all teeth, tongue, roof of the mouth, and gums with a toothpaste containing fluoride. Don't forget to change your toothbrush every 3 months.
After brushing your teeth, rinse your mouth with mouthwash with antibacterial content and use dental floss (dental floss) to remove food debris that the toothbrush cannot reach.
Meet the needs of body fluids
One of the causes of bad breath is dry mouth. This condition can be avoided by drinking at least 8 glasses of water every day and chewing sugar-free gum.
Meeting the body's fluid needs by drinking water can keep the mouth moist, while chewing gum can stimulate the production of saliva so that the mouth does not dry out.
Maintain food intake
Avoid consuming foods and drinks that trigger bad breath, such as garlic, onions, and sweet foods.
Stop smoking habit
Quitting smoking can also be a solution to get rid of bad breath. However, if you find it difficult to quit smoking, you can ask your doctor for help to stop the bad habit.
Visit the dentist regularly
Check your teeth regularly to the dentist at least 2 times a year to detect and prevent dental and gum diseases that can trigger bad breath.
If the various methods above are not able to overcome the bad breath you are experiencing, don't be shy to see a dentist to find out the cause and solution for the bad breath you are experiencing.