How to get rid of bad breath - the best ways to get rid of bad breath. How to get rid of bad breath

If you tell a person that he has bad breath, you can put him in an awkward position and confuse him completely in any situation. This psychological technique is often used by "black manipulators", even if in reality the interlocutor does not have any bad breath. Meanwhile, tens and hundreds of thousands of people suffer from this delicate problem.

How to determine if you have bad breath? Cover the lower part of your face with your palm so that both your nose and mouth are under it, and take a deep breath. Better yet, buy a hygienic mask at the pharmacy, fasten it tightly on your face and breathe into it: then you yourself will be able to smell the smell that those who communicate closely with you usually feel.

Such a phenomenon as persistent bad breath, in medicine is called "halitosis". And even those people who are accustomed to regularly visiting the dentist face it. By the way, these same dentists say that removing bad breath is quite simple: you only need to brush your teeth after each meal, rinse your mouth, or at least use chewing gum. If you do this regularly, then halitosis, in the end, will completely stop bothering you. And for those who think this advice is not enough, here are 10 ways to get rid of bad breath.
Method #1: Get rid of bad breath with salt water

This is the simplest and for someone quite effective folk remedy for halitosis. It is necessary to prepare a solution of half a liter of drinking water and one tablespoon of ordinary table salt. The entire solution (that is, in the amount of 0.5 liters) should be drunk in the morning on an empty stomach, and 10-15 minutes after that, have breakfast with porridge in milk or some other dairy products, because the saline solution irritates the digestive system, and milk neutralizes it action. The course of treatment with salt water is from five to seven days, depending on the degree of halitosis.

Method #2: Get rid of bad breath with oatmeal

In some people, bad breath is associated with a special structure of the gastrointestinal tract. For example, the small intestine has a length greater than the standard, and then toxins and overcooked food “stagnate” in numerous folds. In this case, simple and cheap oatmeal helps: you can start the day with a bowl of oatmeal without sugar, boiled in water and seasoned with vegetable oil. Already after 2-3 weeks of treating halitosis with oatmeal, bad breath disappears forever.
Method #3: Get rid of bad breath with coffee

Coffee lovers, who are used to drinking a cup of freshly brewed coffee in the morning, rarely suffer from halitosis. The main thing is that the coffee is natural, ground from whole grains and brewed in a Turk according to all the rules. Instant instant drinks usually do not have this effect. And in order to get rid of bad breath for a few hours, you can chew a coffee bean.
Method #4: Get rid of bad breath with tonsil ablation

Often, halitosis is directly related to inflammation of the tonsils, in which purulent plugs form, and any infection starts. If in this case you turn to a doctor, then, most likely, he will prescribe washing the tonsils, and maybe several. But such washings, as a rule, do not give a lasting result, and after 2-3 months, purulent discharge and bad breath again make themselves felt. There is a way out: you need to carry out the so-called ablation of the tonsils, that is, cauterization under local anesthesia. Then you will definitely get rid of halitosis - if not forever, then at least for a long time.
Method #5: Get rid of bad breath by drinking plenty of water

Sometimes bad breath occurs because the salivary glands do not work well, and the oral cavity, figuratively speaking, is not washed well enough. Try to drink as much clean drinking water as possible, mineral water without gas, and you can also drink black and green tea without sugar several times a day, which in themselves have a good deodorizing effect. Remember that it is advisable for an adult to drink at least two liters of water a day - this will help not only get rid of halitosis, but also prevent many other health problems: for example, prevent early skin aging.
Method number 6: Remove bad breath with chlorophyll

More recently, scientists have discovered that chlorophyll, a green pigment found in plants, is an excellent oral deodorant. It has a pronounced antibacterial effect that can save a person from both a common cold and chronic halitosis. It is recommended to eat as many dishes made with Brussels sprouts, chard, broccoli and spinach as possible, since these crops have a very high concentration of chlorophyll. In addition, some brands produce special toothpastes with chlorophyll - for example, Longa Vita or Radonta.
Method #7: Get rid of bad breath with hydrogen peroxide

The most common 3% hydrogen peroxide, which is sold in every pharmacy and is quite inexpensive, will also help get rid of halitosis. Bad breath will stop bothering you if you regularly rinse your mouth with a solution prepared from this peroxide. A glass of clean water requires 3-4 teaspoons of the finished product. Rinse your mouth with hydrogen peroxide two or three times a day. The whole secret is that this chemical compound kills bacteria, the presence of which turns into bad breath.
Method number 8: Remove bad breath with herbal infusions

In some cases, halitosis can be cured by rinsing the mouth with an infusion of medicinal herbs such as wormwood, strawberries or chamomile. You can take them separately, but a mixture of all three components will prove to be much more effective. The infusion is prepared in a thermos at the rate of 1 tablespoon of dry herbs per 1 cup of boiling water, it is recommended to keep it for about 8 hours. You can brew herbs overnight and use the infusion the next day.

Method number 9: Remove bad breath with parsley, dill and sorrel

The greens of sorrel, parsley and dill contain a lot of chlorophyll, which was mentioned above, thanks to which they also proved to be quite effective means of combating halitosis. Make your own fresh dill tea by steeping 1 tablespoon of finely chopped herbs in a cup of boiling water. If you drink it every time after eating, halitosis will gradually disappear.

1 tablespoon of chopped sorrel is boiled in 2 cups of water for 10-15 minutes, and then infused for at least two hours. Means take ¼ cup before each meal. A decoction of parsley can be prepared in a similar way, but it is better to just chew it with whole branches several times a day.
Method #10: Get rid of bad breath with apples and carrots

And this method is the simplest, and our ancestors used it in ancient times. Fresh apples or carrots counteract halitosis - though not for long: at most for an hour or two. Nevertheless, this tool should not be neglected, especially if you have to fight with bad breath somewhere in "marching conditions".

P.S.: Have you ever encountered such a problem as bad breath and how did you try to solve it? What helped you? Please add your comment.

One of the common problems in today's medicine is bad breath. A similar problem of a person causes a number of unpleasant emotions in others, in particular, a persistent disgust for this person. What causes bad breath and how to deal with it?

Causes of bad breath.
It should be noted that bad breath is a pathology that occurs as the body matures and develops. In modern medicine, this condition is known as halitosis. This problem is, in principle, solvable. Usually the treatment process is very simple and effective, it is only necessary to accurately identify the main source of bad breath. Basically, this is an accumulation in the human mouth (on the back of the tongue, around and between the teeth) of white matter, in which a large number of anaerobic bacteria are concentrated (gram-negative anaerobes that live and multiply in an oxygen-free environment). These bacteria secrete chemical compounds (hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, cadavrine, putrescine, skatole) that are the source of halitosis. Basically, bacteria begin to release foul-smelling substances after human consumption of proteins - meat, fish, seafood, eggs, milk, cheese, yogurt, cheeseburgers, cereals, nuts, legumes, as well as any desserts based on them. In addition, dead cells of the oral cavity serve as food for bacteria.

In addition to the accumulation of bacteria in the mouth, the causes of bad breath can be:

• Diseases of the digestive system (gastritis, ulcers). In this case, this problem is caused by the pathology of non-closure of the esophageal sphincter, when odors from the stomach penetrate directly through the esophagus into the oral cavity.
• Intestinal pathology (enteritis and colitis). As a result of inflammatory processes in the intestines, toxic substances enter the bloodstream, which the body removes, including through the lungs, as a result of which bad breath appears.
• Diseases of the liver and pancreas. The process of the appearance of bad breath is similar to the previous version.
• Diseases of the ear, throat and nose (tonsillitis, chronic tonsillitis, chronic sinusitis). A bad smell occurs against the background of inflammatory processes of a purulent nature.
• Lung diseases (tuberculosis, pneumonia, abscess). Inflammatory processes in the lungs proceed with the collapse of the lung tissue, namely the purulent process, which leads to the appearance of this problem.
• Diseases of the oral cavity (caries). A carious lesion of the teeth or an abscess of the tooth proceeds with the release of purulent bad breath.
• Violation of oral hygiene. Putrefactive microbes, their active reproduction and activity in the remains of food, poorly eliminated as a result of brushing the teeth and oral cavity, contribute to the production of fetid gases.

Excessive smoking or drinking alcohol is also a cause of bad breath. Basically, the process of its formation is based on nicotine, tar and other substances contained in tobacco smoke. They accumulate on the teeth and soft tissues of a heavy smoker. In this case, the only way to get rid of the problem is by giving up cigarettes. Perfect oral hygiene will help to reduce the smell somewhat, but will not completely eliminate it. In addition, smoking leads to dehydration of the tissues of the mouth, as a result of which saliva somewhat loses its moisturizing and disinfecting effect. From here, dry mouth or xerostomia appears, which also leads to the appearance of an unpleasant odor. Decreased saliva production leads to dry mouth. This is especially noticeable in the morning. As a result, our breath becomes less fresh. By constantly swallowing saliva, we cleanse the mouth of the waste products of the bacteria inhabiting it and of the bacteria themselves. Drying out the mouth significantly reduces the positive effect of saliva, resulting in favorable conditions for the growth of bacteria. Chronic xerostomia can occur as a side effect while taking certain medications (antihistamines, drugs that normalize blood pressure, antidepressants, diuretics, tranquilizers, narcotic substances). Over the years, this problem can worsen as the effectiveness of the salivary glands decreases and the composition of saliva changes, resulting in a weakening of the cleansing effect of saliva. Chronic dry mouth or xerostomia contributes to the development of periodontal disease (gum disease).

Periodontal disease can also lead to bad breath. Usually this disease occurs in people over 35 years of age and is a bacterial infection of the soft tissues that surround the teeth. In its advanced form, the disease can give a complication in the form of serious damage to the bone on which the tooth is located. In the active form of the disease, gaps form between the teeth and gums, the so-called "periodontal pockets", where an excessive amount of bacteria is concentrated. These gaps are sometimes very deep, making hygienic cleaning difficult, resulting in accumulated bacteria and their waste products causing bad breath.

Diseases of the upper respiratory tract can cause bad breath. This is due to the fact that the mucous secretions accompanying the disease enter the oral cavity from the nasal cavity, and their accumulation leads to the appearance of this problem.

People suffering from sinusitis are forced to breathe through their mouth due to nasal congestion, which in turn leads to dry mouth and, as a result, bad breath. In the process of treating sinusitis, antihistamines are usually prescribed, which also contribute to the drying of the mouth.

It should be noted that the presence of dentures can also adversely affect the freshness of your breath. Whether a bad smell comes from prostheses or not is very easy to find out. You just need to remove them and place them in a closed container for a day. After the specified time, open the container and immediately smell it. Approximately such aroma comes from you during communication with people. In addition, bacteria can also accumulate on the surface of the denture, resulting in bad breath. Therefore, it is very important to thoroughly and daily clean them both from the inside and from the outside. Usually, when installing them, the dentist talks about the features of the hygiene of dentures. After cleaning, the dentures should be placed in a container with an antiseptic liquid (whichever doctor recommends).

How to get rid of an unpleasant smell?
When solving the problem of bad breath, most people mask it with chewing gums or mouthwashes, unaware that it is represented by volatile compounds. They also do not know that chewing gum negatively affects the gastrointestinal tract, and the effect of them is only short-lived. Mouthwashes often lead to disruption of the natural flora in the mouth, which only exacerbates bad breath. There are many other remedies, but doctors most often prescribe CB12, because, unlike others, it does not mask, but neutralizes those very volatile compounds, eliminating an unpleasant odor for a period of at least 12 hours. At the same time, it does not violate the normal flora of the oral cavity, it can be used even by pregnant and lactating women. CB12 is actively used by users of braces and prostheses. For persistent fresh breath, it is recommended to use rinse aid every day.

To deprive the bacteria of nutrients, you should include more fresh vegetables and fruits in your diet (especially apples and oranges) and limit the consumption of meat. It has been proven that vegetarians have practically no problems with fresh breath. Also of great importance is the correct and timely cleaning of the oral cavity, especially after eating protein dishes. If you do not thoroughly clean the spaces between your teeth every day, where food remains get stuck, you will not be able to cope with an unpleasant odor. Therefore, if you have a problem with fresh breath, it is recommended to brush your teeth, gums and tongue after each meal, rinse your mouth thoroughly and use dental floss. All this will help to keep the oral cavity clean and prevent the appearance of plaque, in which bacteria live that produce unpleasant "aromas".

If you keep your mouth perfectly clean, but the smell from your mouth does not disappear, you should visit a dentist who, if necessary, will teach you how to properly brush your teeth with a toothbrush and help with flossing. Unfortunately, even today a large number of people do not properly use these attributes of hygiene. If you have tartar on your teeth, your doctor will quickly and effectively remove it. If periodontal disease is detected, the dentist will prescribe the necessary treatment. In addition, if any other untreated diseases are found that may be the source of bad breath. If, after examining, the dentist does not find anything that could be the source of the problem, he may refer you to a general practitioner for an examination.

To get rid of this problem, it is important, in addition to teeth and gums, to thoroughly clean the surface of the tongue every day. Unfortunately, most of us ignore this procedure, but in vain. After all, it is this procedure that often helps to get rid of this problem without the use of any additional methods. It should be noted that it is necessary to clean the back of the tongue, since the front, in the process of constant movement of the tongue, touches the hard palate and thus cleans itself. Therefore, bacteria that produce malodorous compounds are mainly concentrated on the back of the tongue, which needs to be thoroughly cleaned.

To eliminate unpleasant odors, it is best to use toothpaste, which includes antibacterial substances (chlorine dioxide or cetylpyridone chloride). Such a paste not only cleanses well, but also has a detrimental effect on anaerobic bacteria.

Additional use of liquid mouthwash will help to cope with bad breath. Its composition has antibacterial properties and the ability to neutralize volatile sulfur compounds.

Rinsers can be of several types:

• containing chlorine dioxide or sodium chlorite (kill bacteria and neutralize their secretions);
• with zinc content (neutralize volatile sulfur compounds);
• antiseptic (kill bacteria, but do not eliminate odor);
• with the content of cetylpyridone chloride (reduces the number of anaerobic bacteria).

As an additional means of getting rid of an unpleasant odor, you can use various mints, lozenges, drops, sprays, chewing gums, etc. It is good if these products contain substances such as chlorine dioxide, sodium chlorite and zinc, which neutralize volatile sulfur compounds. In addition, mints, lozenges and chewing gum stimulate the production of saliva, which, thanks to its cleansing properties, eliminates bacteria and their waste products from the oral cavity, which means it eliminates bad breath.

Additional measures to eliminate unpleasant odors.
Drink more liquid throughout the day. This will reduce the bad odor. Not drinking enough water throughout the day will cause the body to retain water by reducing saliva production. And this will negatively affect the natural cleansing of the oral cavity from bacteria and their secretions. It is especially important to consume plenty of fluids for people suffering from chronic dry mouth (xerostomia).

Rinse your mouth with water several times a day. This will reduce halitosis somewhat by dissolving and washing away the waste products of bacteria.

Constantly stimulate the process of salivation, which will reduce the unpleasant odor. The easiest way is to chew something (mints, propolis, chewing gum, mint, cloves, dill, parsley, etc.). If you prefer chewing gum or mints, you should make sure that they do not contain sugar, as it stimulates the growth of bacteria that cause cavities.

Folk remedies for getting rid of bad breath.
Add three to four teaspoons of 3% hydrogen peroxide to a glass of water. Rinse your mouth with the resulting liquid two to three times during the day. Under the influence of active oxygen, formed due to hydrogen peroxide, putrefactive bacteria, which are the cause of an unpleasant odor, die.

For the same purpose, you can use hydroperite (hydrogen peroxide in the form of tablets).

Fresh Siberian cedar needles will help get rid of diseases of the oral cavity and gums (you can use pine or fir henna). It is necessary to chew the needles before the formation of water. In the process of chewing, due to coniferous phytoncides, the oral cavity is disinfected and cleaned of food debris. Two weeks of daily performance of the procedure will eliminate the unpleasant odor forever.

With reduced salivation and severe dryness of the mouth, it is recommended to chew a slice of lemon. This will get rid of the repulsive smell from the mouth for an hour and a half.

Rinsing the mouth with decoctions of infusions of bitter herbs (wormwood, yarrow, tansy) also eliminates unpleasant odors. This is due to the fact that herbs increase the secretion of saliva, which suppresses the pathological microflora, which is the source of an unpleasant odor. To prepare the infusion, it is necessary to pour dried and chopped grass (a tablespoon) with a glass of boiling water and insist for fifteen minutes. Rinse your mouth with this infusion two to three times a day.

An infusion of chamomile and calendula has an anti-inflammatory effect, reduces inflammation of the tonsils, the back of the pharynx and the root of the tongue, reducing the intensity of bad breath. The preparation of the infusion is similar to the previous recipe.

Tea from lemon and peppermint leaves, rose hips, cumin seeds, thyme herbs give freshness to the breath. Brew grass instead of tea and drink with honey.

Eating walnuts or fennel in the morning will also reduce bad breath.

Rinse the mouth with tincture of St. John's wort (twenty to thirty drops in half a glass of water).

Use an infusion of strawberry leaves: pour two cups of boiling water over a tablespoon of raw materials and put on fire, cook for twenty minutes, then strain. Drink half a glass daily.

Infuse cranberries in water and consume daily.

Juice, water and alcohol infusion, alcohol tincture, syrup and sea buckthorn oil, taken orally, will help get rid of an unpleasant odor.

The use of infusion of sorrel leaves also solves this unpleasant problem. Pour a tablespoon of fresh leaves with two glasses of water, put on fire and cook from the moment of boiling for fifteen minutes. Then insist the broth for two hours and strain. Drink 50 ml four times a day fifteen minutes before meals.

A decoction of oak bark helps with chronic tonsillitis, stomatitis, pharyngitis, and bad breath. Rinse your mouth with it two or three times a day for ten minutes.

Very often there are people who during the conversation cover their mouths with their palms. Such gestures are due to the presence of an unpleasant odor. We will try to understand the main causes and methods of treating bad breath in adults.

Types of odors from the mouth

Halitosis (the medical name for the problem) occurs in the vast majority of the population. It can appear immediately after sleep, during the whole day, after eating, etc.

There is a certain classification:

• true halitosis (felt by both the carrier and people from his environment);
• pseudohalitosis (felt only during direct communication with other people);
• halitophobia (the patient inspires himself with a disease).

There are also physiological and pathological types. The first appears after the absorption of certain products, nicotine, etc. It is divided into oral (caused by problems in the oral cavity) and extraoral (develops with internal disorders).

Chronic bad breath causes psychological discomfort to its wearer. A person becomes withdrawn, avoids close communication, collective events, personal life collapses. Therefore, it is imperative to identify and effectively eliminate the problem.

Causes of bad breath

The main reason for the occurrence of bad breath in an adult is an unreasonable cleaning of the oral cavity. As a result, microbes begin to multiply, as a result of their vital activity, a heavy putrefactive aroma is felt.

People who wear dentures are more likely to stink from their mouths than others. This means poor-quality cleaning of the prosthesis, which is why pathogens also accumulate on its walls.

Physiological causes

1. Taking a certain group of drugs.
2. Plaque on teeth or tongue.
3. Great dryness in the mouth.
4. Smoking.
5. Eating foods that cause an unpleasant odor (onions, garlic, etc.).
6. Wrong nutrition.

If a person often snores in his sleep, then with a high probability he will sting from his mouth in the morning. This is due to the strong drying of the mucosa, as a result of which bacteria actively multiply.

Physiological causes also include stress and nervous tension, hormonal imbalance, weak immunity.

Pathological causes

1. Carious lesions of the teeth, stomatitis, periodontal disease, etc.
2. Ulcers in the mouth or throat (strong rotten smell).
3. Pathologies of the digestive system (it smells of hydrogen sulfide).
4. Diseases of the pancreas, diabetes (acetone amber).
5. Pathology of the liver and kidneys.
6. The presence of malignant tumors, tuberculosis, pneumonia (putrid or purulent smell).

Very often, patients are diagnosed with halitophobia (fear of the presence of bad breath). This condition is absent when the main symptoms are manifested.

Features of diagnostics

To understand that the disease led to the appearance of bad breath, pay attention to the accompanying symptoms:

• bleeding from the gums;
• pain sensations;
• violation of the stool (frequent constipation or diarrhea);
• white coating on the tongue;
• dry or wet cough;
• nasal congestion;
• nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness;
• BP jumps.

To determine the presence of halitosis on your own, it is enough to breathe into a closed palm or a paper napkin. If you smell a stink, then you need to visit a medical specialist. You may need to consult a dentist, gastroenterologist, surgeon, urologist.

Be sure to refer the patient to the delivery of laboratory tests of blood, urine, feces. If necessary, the problem will be identified with the help of ultrasound, X-ray diagnostics and other types of instrumental studies.

Ways to treat bad breath

As a rule, in the presence of physiological reasons, deliverance is quick and effective. Consider the main points of treatment in adults.

Oral hygiene

If bad breath was the result of poor cleaning of the teeth, remember that this procedure should be carried out at least twice a day. At the same time, certain rules are observed:

1. Dentists recommend using special rinses daily. They remove food debris and eliminate pathogenic bacteria.
2. After eating or smoking, use hygiene products such as refreshing mouth spray, lozenges, or chewing gum.
3. It is imperative that during cleaning it is necessary to carefully treat the tongue from plaque, which eventually causes halitosis.
4. To clean the interdental spaces, you can use special dental floss.
5. Correctly selected toothbrushes and pastes will also help get rid of halitosis.

If the cause of the stench is caries, stomatitis or other dental diseases, then it is necessary to treat them.

Pharmacy funds

For the treatment of halitosis, rinses are used that have antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects.

In the fight against bad odor will help:

• "Listerine";
• "Chlorhexidine";
• "Remodent";
• "Camphomen".

A suitable drug will be selected by the attending physician, based on the cause of the problem.

Folk methods

What to do when you need to eliminate the smell urgently, but there is no way to contact a pharmacist? Take advantage of traditional medicine.

Masking bad breath are:

• carnation;
• propolis;
• mint;
• chamomile.

A short-term effect is given by teas and decoctions based on them. To quickly get rid of the stink, you can chew a few grains of cloves.

Medical therapy

A specialized specialist can cure a terrible breath associated with pathological causes. For example, a dentist is engaged in the treatment of caries, periodontal disease.

For the treatment of pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract and other organs, the following drugs are used:

• "Almagel" (for gastritis or ulcers);
• "Festal", "Creon" (to restore the pancreas and improve intestinal motility);
• antibiotics (in the presence of pathogenic bacterial microflora).

Independent decisions in this case will aggravate the situation. Only a specialist can cure the disease. Based on the results of a comprehensive examination, he will select the drug, its dosage and duration of the course.

Apples, carrots, spinach help to get rid of the terrible smell from the mouth. It is recommended to exclude from the diet dishes that can lead to the appearance of stench, which we have listed above. Doctors may also prescribe certain dietary foods as needed.

Video: Five reasons why there is bad breath, and their elimination.

The problem of bad breath is quite common and reaches 80-90% of the adult population, but only in 25% of cases bad breath is persistent and its cause is the presence of a chronic pathological process in the human body. Halitosis is caused, as a rule, by a disease of the digestive organs (stomach, liver, intestines, teeth and oral cavity). In most cases, it occurs due to the accumulation in the human mouth - on the tongue, around the teeth and between the teeth - a large number of anaerobic bacteria.

This condition is also known as "halitosis" or "halitosis", "ozostomy", "stomatodisody". The problem of bad breath is by no means intractable. The methods of its treatment are usually very simple and effective - you just need to correctly recognize the main cause of the unpleasant odor.

Do you have bad breath?

Of course, under certain circumstances, each of us may develop bad breath - and we ourselves will often be able to find out about this only by the reaction of the people around us. Determining if you have bad breath is often difficult, primarily because the mouth, the source of all these odors, is connected to the nose through an opening located at the back of the mouth, in the soft palate. And since the nose "filters" the odors that arise in the back of the mouth, it also filters this most unpleasant odor. That is, you, quite possibly, have this smell from your mouth - but you yourself do not know about it.

If even our own noses can't tell us with certainty what our breath smells like, can we still know? One way is to get the opinion of one of your closest relatives on this matter. You can also make the same request to a close friend, or to your dentist at the next visit to him. If this question seems too personal to you and you are afraid to "entrust" it to adults, do not be embarrassed and ask your children about it. As we well know, it is through their mouths that the truth often speaks.

Is it possible to independently determine how your breath smells?

Such methods are also known. For example, lick your wrist, let the saliva dry for about five seconds, and then smell the area. Well, how? This is exactly how you smell. Or, to be precise, this is what the front of your tongue smells like.

Now try to figure out what the back of your tongue smells like. Take a spoon, turn it over, and use it to scrape the furthest part of your tongue. (Don't be surprised if you choke on this.) Look at the stuff you've scraped off your tongue on the spoon - it's usually thick and whitish. Now sniff it. This is the smell of your breath (as opposed to the smell of the front of the tongue) that others are most likely to smell.

The main cause of bad breath

Now you know that in most cases, the source of bad breath is the white matter that covers the back of the tongue. Or, to be more precise, the bacteria that live in this white substance.

There is another, also very common cause of bad breath - these are bacteria that accumulate in other areas of the mouth.

What conditions or circumstances can cause or exacerbate bad breath? Many of these factors are somehow related to:

Oral bacteria.
- Conditions that stimulate the growth of these bacteria.
- Poor cleaning of those areas where bacteria accumulate.

Can food cause bad breath?

Certain foods have a long history of causing bad breath, such as onions and garlic. When food is digested, its constituent molecules are absorbed by our body and then removed from it by the blood stream.

Some of these molecules, which have very characteristic and unpleasant odors, enter our lungs with the blood stream. They are excreted from the lungs during exhalation - hence the unpleasant odor. Although this kind of bad smell is a rather annoying problem, we will not discuss it in detail in these pages. The unpleasant smell caused by the use of certain foods usually disappears by itself in a day or two - as soon as the body removes all the "bad-smelling" molecules. And getting rid of such a smell is quite simple - you just need to exclude such products from your diet or reduce their use to a minimum.

Does smoking contribute to bad breath?

You probably had to meet people who smoke heavily, whose breath has a specific smell. Although many factors contribute to the formation of bad breath associated with smoking, the main ones are nicotine, tar and other foul-smelling substances found in tobacco smoke. These substances accumulate on the teeth and soft tissues of the smoker's mouth - gums, buccal tissue, tongue. And again, we will make a reservation - we will not discuss this type of unpleasant smell in detail on these pages either. The only way to completely get rid of this smell is to stop smoking (although with perfect oral hygiene, this smell can be somewhat reduced). Note also that smoking itself dehydrates the tissues of the mouth. This weakens the moisturizing and disinfecting effect of saliva, which washes away bacteria and their waste products. Dry mouth is discussed in more detail below. It is known that people who smoke are more likely to have problems associated with periodontal disease ("gum disease").

Periodontal disease is also caused by bacterial activity. Gum disease and its association with bad breath is discussed in more detail below.

Does xerostomia (dry mouth) contribute to bad breath?

Even if you don't have any particular odor problems, you've probably noticed that in the morning, when you just woke up, your breath is much less fresh. This happens because our mouth "dries up" at night - because during sleep our body produces less saliva. The result of this drying is "morning breath". A similar "drying out effect" is often noticed in themselves, for example, by teachers or lawyers who have to talk for several hours - this also dries up the mouth. Some people suffer from chronic dry mouth - this condition is called xerostomia. It is even more difficult for them to solve problems with fresh breath. The moisture in our mouths aids in cleansing. We constantly swallow saliva - and with each sip, millions of bacteria are washed out of our mouths, as well as food particles that these bacteria feed on. In addition, saliva dissolves and washes away the waste products of bacteria that live in the mouth.

Saliva is a special form of moisturizing mouth fluid, a kind of natural mouth cleaner. Any moisture can have a cleansing and dissolving effect; saliva, in addition, contains special components that kill bacteria and neutralize their waste products. When the mouth dries out, the beneficial effect of saliva is greatly reduced. The neutralization of bacteria slows down and the conditions for their growth improve.

Chronic drying of the mouth - xerostomia - can also be a side effect of taking certain medications. Xerostomia can be caused by antihistamines (allergy and cold medicines), antidepressants, blood pressure medications, diuretics, tranquilizers, and narcotics. Dry mouth can get worse with age. Over time, our salivary glands stop working with the same efficiency, and the composition of saliva also changes. This leads to the fact that the cleansing properties of saliva weaken. People who have had xerostomia for a long time are more likely to develop periodontal disease (gum disease). Gum disease can also be the cause of bad breath.

Can periodontal disease cause bad breath?

Periodontal disease, commonly referred to simply as "gum disease," can also be a cause of bad breath. Ask any dentist - the smell of gum disease is very specific, and an experienced doctor can determine the presence of such a disease even before examining the patient.

Diseases of the oral cavity are the second most common cause of bad breath (the first, as you remember, is the accumulation of bacteria).

More often they occur in people over 35 years old - that is, the older the person, the more likely it is that problems with fresh breath are caused by the condition of his gums. Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection of the soft tissues surrounding the teeth. If such a disease is started, it can lead to serious damage to the bone into which our teeth are “inserted”. Often, as the disease progresses, gaps (called "periodontal pockets" by dentists) form between the teeth and gums, in which large numbers of bacteria accumulate. These pockets are so deep that they are difficult to clean properly; bacteria and their waste products that accumulate in them also cause an unpleasant odor.

Can a respiratory disease cause bad breath?

Of course it can. Diseases of the upper respiratory tract, allergies - all these diseases lead to the fact that mucous secretions begin to flow from the nasal cavity into the oral cavity, through an opening in the soft palate. The accumulation of these secretions in the mouth can also cause bad breath.

People with sinus disease often have a stuffy nose, forcing them to breathe through their mouths. Breathing through the mouth causes it to dry out, which, as we already know, also causes bad breath. People with sinus disease often take antihistamine (anti-allergic) drugs, which also dry out the mouth.

What dental diseases can cause bad breath?

In most cases, the occurrence of an unpleasant odor in the mouth is associated with various diseases of the oral cavity itself. Any active infection in the mouth, such as a tooth abscess or a partially erupted wisdom tooth, can cause bad breath. Extensive untreated cavities in the teeth can accumulate a large amount of bacteria and food debris, which also cause bad breath. If you have such diseases, during the examination, your dentist will definitely identify them and suggest effective methods of treatment.

Can other untreated diseases cause bad breath?

Some diseases of the internal organs can also cause an unpleasant odor. If the patient has tried all the usual ways to eliminate an unpleasant odor in such cases, but they have not led to anything, then a visit to the therapist will not hurt. Your doctor, of course, knows which diseases are most likely in your case; but, for general information, bad breath can occur with diseases of the respiratory tract, liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal diseases.

Can dentures cause bad breath?

Dentures (full, partial, removable, etc.) can have a significant impact on the freshness of your breath. If you wear any type of denture, a simple test can be done to see if your denture is causing bad breath:

Remove your dentures and place them in a covered container, such as a plastic lunch box. Close it tightly and leave it like that for five minutes. Then sharply open it and immediately smell it. About the same smell from your mouth and feel the people with whom you speak.

Although in most cases bad breath is caused by bacteria accumulating on the tongue, on or around the teeth (periodontal disease), bacteria can also accumulate on the surface of dentures and this can also cause bad breath.

What is actually the main cause of bad breath?

In most cases, the occurrence of bad breath is associated with the condition of the oral cavity. Namely - an unpleasant odor is usually caused by bacteria that live in it. Bacteria, like humans, consume food and excrete its waste throughout their lives. The waste products of certain types of bacteria are sulfur compounds, and they are the cause of an unpleasant odor. Remember how a rotten egg smells? This odor is also caused by the formation of a sulfur compound, hydrogen sulfide, in the egg. The characteristic smell of compost heaps or barnyards also owes its "fragrance" to the presence of a sulfur compound - methyl mercaptan. And both of these compounds secrete bacteria that live in our mouths. These substances are collectively referred to as "volatile sulfur compounds" (VSCs). The term "volatile" means that these substances evaporate quickly, even at normal temperatures. The "volatility" of these compounds explains their ability to quickly penetrate, so to speak, into the noses of the people around us. Although these substances mainly form bad breath, bacteria. living in the oral cavity, emit other products that have a very unpleasant odor. Here is some of them:

Kadavrin is a substance that forms a characteristic putrid odor.
- Putrescine - forming a stench when meat rots.
- Skatol is the main component of the smell of human feces.

You will probably be quite surprised to learn that in an ordinary human mouth there can be such a "bouquet" of unpleasant odors - but this is true, and, unfortunately, there are no exceptions. Each person, to one degree or another, has these, so to speak, aromas in his breath. Fortunately, the human sense of smell does not pick up these odors if their concentration in the breath is low. Only when it rises does the same characteristic unpleasant odor form.

What types of bacteria cause bad breath?

Most of the chemical compounds that cause an unpleasant odor (hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, cadavrine, putrescine, skatole) are secreted by anaerobic bacteria (their more accurate name is gram-negative anaerobes). The term "anaerobic" means that they live and reproduce best in places where there is no oxygen. In our mouths, there is a constant struggle for living space between bacteria that secrete products that form an unpleasant smell, and other bacteria that do not. The freshness of our breath is determined, in fact, by the degree of balance in the presence of both bacteria. A buildup of plaque (the white film that forms on the tongue and teeth - at the gum line and below) can tip this balance in favor of bad breath bacteria. Imagine - a layer of plaque only one or two tenths of a millimeter thick (that is, about a banknote thick) already contains no oxygen at all - that is, there is no better place for bacteria to be found. Therefore, as plaque builds up, more and more odor-forming bacteria colonize it - which means that each of our exhalations contains more and more compounds secreted by these bacteria.

What do anaerobic bacteria feed on that produce bad breath?

Most of the foul-smelling substances that cause bad breath are excreted by bacteria after the consumption of proteins. That is, when we eat foods such as meat or fish, the bacteria living in our mouth get their share of food. And what they secrete after eating, and there are those same compounds. which cause an unpleasant odour. Anaerobic bacteria will find proteins - their favorite food - in anything, even the cheeseburger you ate. In addition, in our mouths there will always be "natural" protein food for them - for example, dead skin cells, or numerous protein components contained in saliva. If you use your toothbrush and floss irregularly, a real feast for bacteria forms in your mouth - food leftovers from today's breakfast, yesterday's dinner, the day before yesterday's lunch ...

What foods contain the most protein?

Meat, fish and seafood, eggs, dairy products (milk, cheeses and yogurts) - there is a lot of protein in all these products. Most people get about two-thirds of the proteins they need from them. Other sources of protein are cereals and products from them, nuts, leguminous plants (peas, beans and lentils). The ingredients found in many of our favorite desserts (like cakes and pies) turn these delicious meals into true protein pantries.

Where do the bacteria that cause bad breath live?

In most cases, these bacteria accumulate on the tongue, but they have many other "habitats".

Language

Remember the "experiment" we recommended you do at the beginning of this section. Although the smell produced in the anterior region of our tongue may not be the most pleasant, it is usually not the main source of problems with freshness of breath. The main "component" of an unpleasant odor is formed in the back of the tongue. Go to the mirror, stick out your tongue and examine it carefully. You will surely see a whitish coating on its surface. Closer to the back of the tongue, this plaque becomes more dense. The number of bacteria that accumulate on the human tongue depends on the texture of its surface. In people whose tongue surface has more folds, grooves and indentations, this number will be greater than in people with a smoother surface of the tongue. In order to create a favorable environment for the life of bacteria in the white layer on the tongue - i.e. devoid of oxygen - this layer can be only one to two tenths of a millimeter thick. Such an "oxygen-free" environment is also called "anaerobic"; It is in it that bacteria live and multiply best. Studies have shown that the number of bacteria on the human tongue directly depends on the thickness of the white layer covering it. And as you can guess, the freshness of your breath depends on the number of bacteria: the fewer of them, the fresher it is.

Periodontal sources

Bad breath bacteria thrive in other areas of the mouth besides the tongue. You may have noticed that flossing also sometimes causes an unpleasant odor. And perhaps this smell becomes more noticeable when you start brushing between the back teeth. In the gaps between the teeth, bacteria that form an unpleasant odor also find refuge. Dentists call these areas "periodontal" ("paro" means "about" and "dont" means "tooth"). Even in a more or less healthy mouth, bacteria can find an oxygen-deprived (anaerobic) environment, such as under the gum line, around and between teeth. And in people suffering from periodontal disease ("gum disease"), the number of such anaerobic "corners" increases many times over. Periodontal disease often results in damage to the bone that surrounds the teeth. This, in turn, leads to the formation of depressions between the teeth and gums (dentists call them "periodontal pockets"). These pockets are generally very difficult or impossible to clean and make an ideal anaerobic environment for odor-causing bacteria to live and multiply.

How to get rid of an unpleasant smell?

Since the main source of bad breath is the foul-smelling secretions of bacteria (volatile sulfur compounds), the main way to get rid of them is to clean the mouth so that:

Deprive bacteria of nutrients.
- Reduce the number of bacteria already accumulated in the mouth.
- Weaken the anaerobic environment in which bacteria live and multiply.
- Do not allow the formation of new foci of reproduction of bacteria.

In addition, cleaners can be used that reduce the activity of odor-causing volatile sulfur compounds.

How to deprive bacteria of nutrients?

As you remember, the main source of bad breath is the foul-smelling waste products of the vital activity of bacteria, which they secrete during the digestion of proteins. Therefore, people who eat a vegetarian diet (consisting mainly of fruits and vegetables) are less likely to have problems with fresh breath than those who consume a lot of protein foods, such as meat. In addition, it is very important to clean the oral cavity in a timely and correct manner - especially after consuming protein-rich foods. After finishing breakfast, lunch or dinner, tiny particles of food remain in our mouths, which get stuck between the teeth, and also settle in a white coating on the back of the tongue. And since it is in these places that anaerobic bacteria that cause an unpleasant odor accumulate, not cleaning your mouth properly after eating will provide them with enough nutrients for a long time.

To get rid of bad breath, brush your teeth and gums. The bacteria that produce the products that cause bad breath also live in the plaque that builds up on the teeth and at the gum line. In order to reduce this plaque, prevent its further accumulation and remove food debris that "lingered" in the mouth and serve as food for bacteria, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the teeth and gums with a toothbrush and dental floss. Let me remind you once again about dental floss. If you do not clean carefully and daily the gaps between the teeth, where the toothbrush cannot penetrate, it is unlikely that you will be able to part with bad breath.

Diagnosis of the causes of bad breath

Particular attention should be paid to diagnostic methods. First of all, it is necessary to inform the attending physician about the presence of chronic diseases. It has been established that the appearance of bad breath is largely influenced by nutritional and hygienic factors, so patients are advised to refrain from eating, drinking, rinsing the mouth and smoking at least two hours before carrying out diagnostic measures.

The first is a hedonic research method, conducted by a doctor who evaluates the quality and strength of an unpleasant odor, and gives a score on the Rosenberg scale from 0 to 5 points. The main drawback of the method is subjectivity.

The next step is to measure the amount of sulfur compounds in the exhaled air using a special sulfide monitoring device "Halimeter". Hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, and dimethyl sulfide account for 90% of all oral volatile sulfur compounds, so determining the concentration of these gases is the main way to determine the severity of halitosis.

The next step is a microbiological study. The diagnostic stage is very important, because depending on the source of the unpleasant odor and the reasons that caused it, the treatment tactics will depend.

Visit Your Dentist

If, after all the measures taken, the smell from the mouth does not disappear, call and make an appointment with your dentist for an appointment, where you can not only discuss the problem in detail, but also carry out the necessary procedures to clean your mouth. This may be the best solution because:

1) Not all people know how to most effectively use dental floss and a tooth cheek. After examining your mouth, the doctor will teach you the necessary techniques.

2) Effective cleaning of the teeth can be hindered by tartar that has grown on them. Your dentist will remove it.

3) If you have signs of periodontal disease ("gum disease"), the doctor will identify them and offer you appropriate treatment. Periodontal disease can seriously damage your teeth and the surrounding bone. This creates deep "pockets" between the teeth and gums where bacteria can accumulate - and they are so deep that they are difficult or even impossible to clean.

4) During the examination, your doctor will identify - if any - other untreated diseases that may increase bad breath.

5) If your doctor finds it unlikely that these diseases are the cause of the bad breath, he will suggest that you make an appointment with a therapist and give appropriate explanations.

It is necessary to thoroughly clean the tongue

Since most people tend to ignore this procedure, try making it part of your daily oral care routine. Very often, the use of this method alone - without additional measures - helps to eliminate an unpleasant odor. Recall again the "experiment" we recommended you do at the beginning of this section. Then we found that the front of the tongue has a less unpleasant odor than the back. This is because the anterior region of the tongue is constantly self-cleaning - and therefore less anaerobic bacteria accumulate on it. In the process of moving the tongue, its front part constantly rubs against the hard palate - this is how cleansing occurs. preventing the accumulation of bacteria. Unlike the front, the back of the tongue during its movement comes into contact only with the soft palate. In this case, effective cleaning is not obtained. Therefore, bacteria that cause bad breath accumulate mainly on the back of the tongue, and therefore this area needs periodic cleaning.

How to properly clean the tongue? In order to clean the back of the tongue, there are several ways, but they all have the same goal - to remove bacteria and food debris that accumulate in this area. When cleaning the tongue - no matter what method you use - you need to try to penetrate as far as possible in order to clean as much of its surface area as possible. If you start to choke, don't be surprised. This is a natural reaction, but over time this reflex should weaken.

How to clean the tongue with a toothbrush or a special brush.

To clean the surface of the tongue, you can use a toothbrush or a special tongue brush. Start brushing as far back as you can reach, then gradually move the brush strokes (directed forward) towards the front of the tongue. Movements should be made with some pressure on the surface of the tongue - but, of course, not too strong, so as not to cause irritation. To clean your tongue more effectively, you can use toothpaste, since it contains the same ingredients as mouth-cleansing liquids. You can learn more about this on the oral cleaners page. Pastes neutralizing volatile sulfur compounds. Because it is LSS that causes bad breath, toothpastes containing neutralizing LSS, such as chlorine dioxide or zinc, improve the freshness of your breath.

Pastes with antibacterial properties

If the toothpaste you use contains antibacterial agents - such as chlorine dioxide or cetylpyridone chloride - you can both expel and kill anaerobic bacteria when cleaning your tongue.

Although cleaning the tongue with a toothbrush can be quite satisfactory, many people prefer to use a special tongue scraper, believing this method to be more effective. Some patients claim that they choke less when scraping their tongue with a spoon than when cleaning it with a toothbrush or special brushes. In order to test your reaction to this method, you can conduct a simple experiment. Take an ordinary spoon in the kitchen (better than a teaspoon), turn it over and try to scrape her tongue. To do this, touch the back of the tongue with a spoon, press it lightly and pull it forward. Do it carefully, but without effort. Do not scrub too hard - this may irritate the surface of the tongue. If scraping as a method is not objectionable to you, buy a special spoon from the drugstore designed for this purpose. It is quite possible that it will clean the tongue more effectively than a teaspoon.

What types of liquid mouth cleaners can help get rid of bad breath?

Liquid mouthwashes, when used along with regular and effective tongue cleaning, brushing and flossing, can also help a lot in getting rid of bad breath. You should not just rely only on rinse aids and neglect the rest of the measures listed. The ability of liquid mouthwash to effectively fight bad breath is associated with some of its properties, namely:

A) antibacterial properties. If the mouthwash has the ability to kill bacteria, it can help reduce the amount of anaerobic bacteria in your mouth. Since it is these bacteria that secrete volatile sulfur compounds, which in turn form bad breath, the less of these bacteria in the mouth, the better.

C) The ability to neutralize volatile sulfur compounds. The composition of rinse aids includes components that have the ability to neutralize volatile sulfur compounds and the substances that form them. As you remember, volatile sulfur compounds are foul-smelling substances that form an unpleasant odor. If the purifier is able to reduce their content in your breath, then it will naturally be fresher.

Listed below are some substances that have the ability to effectively neutralize unpleasant odors. These substances are usually included in rinse aids sold in pharmacies.

A) Mouthwashes containing chlorine dioxide or sodium chlorite (Antibacterial / Neutralize volatile sulfur compounds)
Many dentists believe that mouthwashes containing chlorine dioxide or sodium chlorite, which produces chlorine dioxide, play a critical role in eliminating bad breath. Research data suggests that chlorine dioxide has a dual effect:

Chlorine dioxide is an oxidizing substance (meaning that it releases oxygen). Since most odor-causing bacteria are anaerobic (meaning they prefer to live in places where there is no oxygen), exposure to an oxidizing agent helps to reduce their numbers, which consequently reduces odor.

Chlorine dioxide also affects the level of volatile sulfur compounds in the mouth. It neutralizes those compounds that the bacteria have already isolated, and at the same time destroys those substances from which these compounds are subsequently formed. The result - the concentration of volatile sulfur compounds in the mouth is sharply reduced, and breathing, of course, becomes cleaner.

B) Zinc rinses (Neutralize volatile sulfur compounds)
Studies have shown that rinses containing zinc ions can also reduce the concentration of volatile sulfur compounds. It is believed that this is due to the ability of zinc ions to destroy those substances from which bacteria "make" sulfur compounds.

C) "Antiseptic" type rinses (Antibacterial)
"Antiseptic" cleaners (eg "Listerine" and equivalents) are also considered suitable odor neutralizers. The effectiveness of these products is related to their ability to kill bacteria that produce volatile sulfur compounds. However, "antiseptic" rinses themselves cannot destroy these compounds. Many dentists believe that "antiseptic" rinses are not the best choice. These statements are also caused by the fact that "antiseptic" rinses have a high alcohol content (often around 25 percent). Alcohol is a strong desiccant (dehydrating agent) and therefore dries out the soft tissues of the mouth. And if you remember our section on xerostomia, it is dry mouth that can be one of the causes of bad breath.

D) Rinses containing cetylpyridone chloride (antibacterial)
Cetylpyridinium chloride (cetylpyridinium chloride) is a component that is sometimes included in liquid rinses. With antibacterial action, it helps to reduce the number of anaerobic bacteria.

Do mints, lozenges, drops, sprays, and chewing gum help get rid of bad breath?

As well as liquid rinses, mints, lozenges, drops, sprays, chewing gum, etc. By themselves, they are not the most effective means of eliminating unpleasant odors. However, when used in combination with thorough and regular tongue cleaning, brushing, and flossing, these products can be very beneficial—especially if they contain substances (such as chlorine dioxide, sodium chlorite, and zinc) that can neutralize volatile sulfur compounds. In addition, mints, lozenges, and chewing gum stimulate saliva production. And we already know that saliva cleanses the oral cavity of bacteria and their secretions, which means it helps to get rid of an unpleasant odor.

How to use liquid rinse to achieve the greatest effect?

Bad breath bacteria live both on the surface and in the depths of the white plaque that accumulates on and around the teeth, gums, tongue. An antibacterial rinse by itself cannot penetrate into the depth of this plaque, and therefore, before using such a cleaner, it is better to remove as much plaque as possible in your usual ways - by scraping your tongue, brushing your teeth and flossing. By rinsing your mouth with mouthwash after these procedures, you can remove the remaining bacteria. Rinse aid should not just be typed into the mouth, but should be rinsed thoroughly. Before rinsing, say "ah-ah-ah" - this will allow you to stick out your tongue, so that the rinse aid gets on its back area, where bacteria accumulate. After rinsing, the rinse aid should be spit out immediately. That is why children should not be allowed to use mouthwash - they may accidentally swallow it.

How to clean dentures

If your dentist has placed dentures in your mouth, they should definitely explain to you how to properly clean them. Because bacteria build up on your dentures just like on your natural teeth, on your tongue and gums, your doctor will advise you to clean both the outside and the inside of your dentures with a regular toothbrush or special brush. After cleaning the dentures, they must be placed in a container with an antiseptic liquid (which one - your dentist will also advise you).

What steps can you take to get rid of bad breath?

Drink more water
Oddly enough, drinking plenty of water throughout the day will also help you reduce bad breath. With a lack of water, your body will try to retain it, which will reduce the production of saliva, and it will be less effective in dissolving and washing away bacteria and their secretions that form an unpleasant smell. Daily water intake in sufficient quantities is especially important for those suffering from xerostomia (chronic dryness of the mouth).

Rinse your mouth with water
Rinsing your mouth with plain water will also help you reduce bad breath for a short period of time. Rinsing also dissolves and washes away bacteria secretions that harm the freshness of your breath.

Stimulate salivation
It will also help you reduce bad breath. You remember that saliva cleanses the mouth, dissolves and washes away bacteria and their secretions. The easiest way to stimulate salivation is to chew something. When chewing - anything - your body thinks that you are eating, and therefore it gives a signal to increase the production of saliva. (Saliva is a very important component in the digestion of food). You can, for example, chew clove seeds, dill, mint or parsley. Peppermints, chewing gum, and mints can help salivate. But: if you prefer these foods, make sure they are sugar-free. Sugar promotes the growth of those bacteria that can cause cavities.

Watch your oral hygiene especially carefully after eating protein foods.
Anaerobic bacteria release volatile sulfur compounds - the cause of bad breath - as a result of the consumption of proteins. After you have eaten meat, fish, or any other protein-rich food, clean your mouth thoroughly so that the smallest particles of protein food do not serve as a breeding ground for anaerobic bacteria.

Treatment of helminthiases helps to eliminate bad breath in children
Scientists note that parents often notice bad breath in children with intestinal helminthiasis (especially with enterobiasis), which disappears after the eradication of helminths. Scientists suggest that the cause of an unpleasant odor may be stagnation of intestinal contents due to the presence of worms.

What diseases cause bad breath?

• Diseases of the teeth and gums (caries) Pathology of the respiratory system (any infectious and inflammatory diseases, tumors)
• Trimethylaminuria and lactase deficiency

Taking many medications can also adversely affect the freshness of breath.

Treatment for bad breath

First of all, for diagnosis and treatment, you need to contact your dentist. The doctor will identify whether there is caries or gum disease, will sanitize (disinfect) the oral cavity, remove tartar if present. As a rule, after this, the smell ceases to bother most patients.

If the dentist concludes that the smell does not originate in the oral cavity, but in deeper structures of the body, he will refer you to a general practitioner.

The therapist will prescribe an examination to determine the cause of your concerns and will treat the disease that he identifies. Many will be disappointed that they did not find the name of the pill for bad breath here, but smart people will realize that this treatment will be different depending on your personal cause of smell. A whole range of drugs may be needed, including antibiotics, which, as you know, cannot be used without determining the pathogen, and this can only be done through medical tests.

Which doctor should I contact if bad breath occurs:

• Dentist
• Gastroenterologist
• Therapist (general practitioner)

According to statistics, almost half of the world's population is tormented by the question of how to get rid of bad breath at home. This topic causes embarrassment and few people talk about it out loud. Often, education does not allow you to tell the interlocutor that he has bad breath. Many live like this, not knowing about their problem, and do not understand why people keep their distance during a conversation.

Bad surprise: terrible breath

The term halitosis means painful breathing. To evoke only pleasant sensations in others, it is recommended to check the oral cavity for freshness. This will not take much time, but it will help solve the problem, if any.

How do you know if you have bad breath?

1. Breathe into your palm and then sniff.
2. Floss your teeth. What it smells like - so it is in the oral cavity.
3. Breathe into the back of a teaspoon or into your wrist. If this smell is multiplied several times, it will be clear what it is in the mouth.
4. Ask a loved one.
5. Look at the reaction of interlocutors in close contact.

If you still find bad breath, you can eliminate it with improvised means. Just rinse with water or use chewing gum. And be sure to think about a global solution to the problem. To do this, it is recommended to start by determining the causes of bad breath, because the method and result of the struggle depends on this.

Causes of bad breath:

Dental diseases (caries, gum disease, oral mucosa, problems with prostheses).

Oral hygiene is either poor or non-existent. As a result, bacteria accumulate or food remains spoil.

Dry mouth. Not enough saliva is produced to kill the bacteria, so they multiply and give off a stench. This may be due to the use of medications, such as antidepressants or tranquilizers.

Diseases that provoke halitosis: oncology, kidney failure, diabetes mellitus, gastrointestinal diseases, diseases of the upper respiratory tract, pharynx (polyps, tonsillitis), chronic lung diseases.

Eating a lot of protein foods. Its decay products have the smell of a rotten egg.

Starvation. People who use fasting to improve the body note the occurrence of severe halitosis during the entire procedure. Some attribute this to the release of slags, others to the smell of waste during the processing of fat - acetone. Similar processes are observed in the diet.

Stress. When the body is under stress, saliva production slows down. Many are familiar with the situation when, even with excitement, the mouth dries up. There is a favorable environment for the reproduction of bacteria.

Smoking and alcohol cause dryness of the oral mucosa. Saliva does not cope with its disinfecting duties, and multiplying bacteria are actively working, releasing unpleasant waste products.

Garlic and onion are known for their pungent odor. This is due to the fact that the human body removes substances that it cannot absorb with exhaled air, as well as with stool or urine.

Smell from the mouth, what to do?

If the dentist throws up his hands and prescribes various refreshing pastes and rinses, then it is better to be diagnosed for other diseases. If nothing is found, then you need to carefully monitor nutrition and oral hygiene.

How to eliminate bad breath:

Use chewing gum without sugar, which will increase saliva production and neutralize halitosis. It is not recommended to abuse its use - it is harmful to the stomach.

The smell in the mouth perfectly neutralizes the coffee bean or dried cloves, they need to be chewed slowly.

Brush and floss your teeth in the morning and evening, and preferably after every meal. It is good to clean the base of the tongue, it is there that a large number of microbes accumulate.

Visit the dentist if the smell is persistent. To diagnose and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Examined for the presence or absence of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, ENT, lungs.

If the cause of the smell is a long break in eating, then you need to eat or drink water. The smell of digested food rises up the empty esophagus, causing trouble.

How to remove bad breath using modern means? The range of such devices is very wide: rinses, sprays, dragees, lozenges, toothpastes, powders, electric and ultrasonic toothbrushes.

Rinse your mouth. Plain water or strong tea cleanses the mouth of food debris. The composition of black and green tea includes substances that neutralize sulfur compounds. They are the ones that emit the bad odor.

Any vegetable oil (sunflower, linseed, rapeseed, olive) 10 minutes after thoroughly rinsing your mouth with it will restore fresh breath. After that it becomes almost white, because it cleans the oral cavity.

A special mouthwash, like a foot odor remedy, is sold at a pharmacy or home improvement store. The mouthwash will freshen your breath and disinfect your mouth. But it is recommended to use it as directed by a doctor - there may be contraindications.

Such funds are different in their composition. May include: antibacterial substances, painkillers, astringents, enamel strengthening, gum bleeding stops, nutrients and substances that prevent the formation of stones on the teeth.

ethnoscience

How to treat bad breath with folk remedies, people have known for decades. Herbal rinses are the most effective because they have no contraindications and, if swallowed, are not harmful, but even beneficial.

• Chamomile, wormwood, strawberries to choose from: 1 tablespoon pour a glass of boiling water. Strain after half an hour. Rinse 3 times a day.
• Oak bark: Pour boiling water over 1 tablespoon and boil in a water bath for about half an hour. Strain, rinse your mouth 3 times a day.
• Mint: 1 tablespoon pour a glass of boiling water. After half an hour, strain and rinse 3 times a day for 3 weeks.

Eat foods such as:

• Parsley, mint, coriander, wormwood, cardamom, rosemary, eucalyptus neutralize halitosis and improve digestion. These herbs are recommended to be chewed as long as possible or consumed as a tea.
• Yogurt without sugar and preservatives, according to the conclusions of scientists, lowers the level of hydrogen sulfide in the oral cavity.
• Foods rich in fiber: apples, celery and carrots cause profuse salivation. This is their secret to fighting bad breath.
• Foods rich in vitamin C: citrus fruits, berries. Favorably affect the condition of the gums and form an environment in which bacteria cannot multiply.

It is interesting:

A special small device was invented - the Kiss-o-Meter odor detector. On a five-point scale, he determines the possibility of a kiss, depending on the freshness of breath.

What causes a peculiar smell in the mouth? Under certain conditions, the number of bacteria in the mouth increases dramatically. They actively break down proteins, resulting in an increase in the amount of waste products in the form of volatile sulfur compounds.

In addition to the sulfurous smell in the mouth, others can occur: the smell of a corpse (cadaverine), the smell of feet (isovaleric acid), the smell of excrement (methyl mercaptan), the smell of spoiling meat (putrescine), and the smell of decaying fish (trimethylamine). Here is the kit!

Products that increase halitosis: cakes, cookies, sweets, milk and its derivatives, meat, fish due to the high content of carbohydrates and proteins.

The bad smell in the mouth is especially strong in the morning. This is due to the fact that during sleep the production of saliva practically stops, there is no access of oxygen to the oral cavity. So bacteria multiply in such excellent conditions, leaving their owner or hostess with a morning surprise in the form of waste products of their vital activity.

In older people, halitosis worsens due to a decrease in the amount of saliva secreted with age. And in babies, on the contrary, salivation is intense, so bad breath is a rarity.