Bad breath can experienced byanyone. For many people interact with other people or frequently public speaking, this condition it will be very bother. But jDon't worry, bad breath can be overcome and dprevent.
Bad breath occurs because oral hygiene is not maintained properly, resulting in dental plaque or 'jigong', and bacteria that cause odor appear. Bad breath is a problem that patients often complain to dentists about, in addition to cavities and swollen gums. In medicine, bad breath is known as halitosis.
Causes of Bad Breath
Bad breath is caused by bacteria in the mouth that produce odorous chemicals. Bacterial growth in the mouth can be caused by problems with the teeth and mouth, including dental plaque, cavities, leftover tooth roots, food debris that accumulates between the teeth, dentures that are not kept clean, and inflammation or infection. in the oral cavity. In addition, a dirty tongue can also be the cause of bad breath. It all starts with poor oral and dental hygiene.
Apart from hygiene issues, there are other factors that put you at risk for bad breath. One of them is dry mouth. 'Jigong' or dental plaque can easily form when the oral cavity is dry. Your mouth will be dry if you don't drink enough or after sleeping for a few hours. This is normal. However, dry mouth can also be caused by stress or taking certain medications, such as cold medications and diuretics for high blood pressure.
In addition to problems in the mouth, the following things also have the potential to cause bad breath:
- Eating foods that contain garlic or onions, spicy foods, sweet foods, alcoholic beverages, or drinks that contain caffeine.
- Suffering from diabetes, gastric disease, sinusitis, tonsillitis, or kidney failure.
- Smoke.
How to Prevent and Overcome Bad Breath
The most important thing to do to prevent and treat bad breath is to keep your teeth and mouth clean. The following are ways to maintain dental and oral hygiene that you can do at home:
1. Brushing teeth twice a day
Brush your teeth in the morning and at night before going to bed, using a toothbrush with soft bristles and a toothpaste containing fluoride.
2. Clean the tongue
Not only teeth, the tongue also needs to be cleaned regularly. Clean the tongue with a special tongue brush or tongue scraper. If you want to use a toothbrush, choose a soft-bristled brush. Perform tongue cleaning gently and do not need to press too hard, because it can cause tongue injury.
3. Clean between the teeth with dental floss (dental floss)
After eating, sometimes there are food residues that are stuck between the teeth and are difficult to clean just by brushing your teeth. This can be overcome by dental floss. Cleaning between the teeth is not only done when there is food that is tucked in, but needs to be done regularly after brushing your teeth. This method can significantly reduce the risk of bad breath.
4. Gargle with mouthwash
Mouthwash or mouthwash can help prevent the formation of dental plaque which can cause bad breath. The thing you need to pay attention to when choosing a mouthwash is its content. It's best not to use mouthwash that contains alcohol too often. In general, excessive use of mouthwash can actually trigger a yeast infection.
Another thing you also need to pay attention to is the right time to use mouthwash. Do not use mouthwash immediately after brushing your teeth, because it can rinse the good content of toothpaste that sticks to the tooth surface, such as fluoride. Use mouthwash at different times of brushing your teeth, such as after lunch, or as directed by your dentist.
5. Chewing gum
To prevent dry mouth which can cause bad breath, chew gum that does not contain sugar. Chewing gum can stimulate the production of saliva.
6. Mempdrink lots of water
Dry mouth will trigger bad breath. So it is necessary to drink more water. You can see the color of your urine to assess the adequacy of the water you consume. Pale yellow and clear urine color indicates you are drinking enough water.
7. Routine check teeth to the dentist
By regularly checking your teeth and mouth to the dentist, which is every 6 months, problems in the oral cavity that can cause bad breath can be detected early and immediately addressed.
Bad breath can make self-confidence decrease, especially when talking to a partner, friend, or coworker. To prevent and overcome it, do the ways above. However, if bad breath does not go away, you should consult a dentist.
Written by:
drg. Robbykha Rosalien, M.Sc
(Dentist Specialist)