Bad breath is a common problem experienced by people of all ages. Apart from disturbing self-confidence, this condition can also be an indication of certain conditions, ranging from oral problems to indigestion.
About 3 in 10 people can experience bad breath or halitosis. This condition often makes sufferers insecure and even disrupts 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 as a result of consuming certain drinks or foods, such as coffee, onions, petai, jengkol, spices, and other strong-smelling foods.
However, bad breath due to the consumption of foods or drinks that have a strong aroma usually goes away on its own, but sometimes it can persist for several days.
2. Oral hygiene is not maintained
Leftover food on the teeth, gums, or tongue can trigger the growth of bacteria and plaque in the mouth, causing bad breath
Regularly cleaning your teeth with a toothbrush and floss 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 doesn't produce enough saliva. In fact, saliva can clean the mouth from food debris that causes bad odors.
Dry mouth can naturally occur during sleep, especially sleeping with your mouth open. However, dry mouth can also be caused by other causes, such as side effects of certain medications or problems with the salivary glands.
5. Indigestion
Bad breath can be caused by diseases related to the stomach and intestines (gastrointestinal), such as infection H. pylori and acid reflux disease (GERD) .
6. Gum problems
Persistent bad breath can also be caused by gum problems. Gum disease is generally caused by plaque buildup on the teeth.
The bacteria on the plaque then cause toxins that cause inflammation of the gums. If left untreated, the condition will harm the gums, teeth and jawbone.
7. Oral infection
Bad breath can also be caused by cuts or infections after oral surgery or tooth extraction. In addition, oral infections can also be caused by tooth decay, gum disease, or canker sores.
Apart from 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 Prevent Bad breath
The good news is, bad breath can be anticipated and prevented in simple ways. Here are some ways to get rid of bad breath:
Clean teeth regularly
Brush your teeth at least 2 times a day for 2 minutes. Try to completely brush your teeth, tongue, roof of the mouth, and gums with toothpaste containing fluoride. Don't forget to change your toothbrush every 3 months.
After brushing your teeth, rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash and use dental floss to remove food debris that cannot be reached by the toothbrush.
Meets 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 a day and chewing sugar-free gum.
Staying hydrated by drinking water can keep your mouth moist, while chewing gum can stimulate saliva production so your mouth doesn't dry out.
Maintain food intake
Avoid consuming foods and drinks that trigger bad breath, such as garlic, onions, and sweet foods.
Quit smoking
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 a doctor for help to stop the bad habit.
Visits the dentist regularly
Regular dental checkups at the dentist at least 2 times a year to detect and prevent dental and gum diseases that can trigger bad breath.
If the methods above are not able to solve your bad breath, don't be embarrassed to see a dentist to find out the cause and solution for your bad breath.
Label : Health
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