Main causes of bad breath and how to prevent it

If you have ever wondered, “Why do I have bad breath?”, you are in the right place. Halitosis, or bad breath, is a build-up of bacteria in the mouth that produces an unpleasant and bothersome smell.

Halitosis is usually diagnosed with a medical test called the “organoleptic test”, which assesses the breath exhaled through the mouth and nose. This test measures how strong the breath odour is and makes it possible to determine more precisely which type of halitosis the patient has: intraoral or extraoral.

• Extraoral halitosis, which accounts for 10% of cases, originates outside the mouth and is caused by systemic disorders of the respiratory tract or digestive system and/or liver or kidney disease.
• Intraoral halitosis is caused by oral health problems. These include:
  • poor oral hygiene
  • tooth decay
  • gingivitis
  • periodontitis
  • dry mouth
  • smoking

The main cause is an incomplete oral care routine, which leads to a build-up of dental plaque. For this type of halitosis, we recommend visiting your dentist, who can help you establish good oral hygiene habits. In addition, various oral hygiene techniques will reduce the microorganisms that cause the bad smell.

How to get rid of bad breath

Once you have found out what is causing your bad breath, you can follow these remedies or tips to reduce it and keep your breath fresher.

1. Hygiene habits: You will need to step up your oral hygiene with thorough daily brushing, not only of your teeth but also of your tongue, where bacteria also build up. For more information, we recommend clicking on the following article: 10 curious facts about dental hygiene that will shock you
2. Mouthwash: Use mouthwash to fight the germs that cause bad breath and the compounds responsible for the smell of some foods.
3. Dental floss: As well as brushing twice a day, you should start using dental floss. It will help remove any food particles that have become trapped and help prevent plaque from building up. Remember that your toothbrush does not reach every area of your mouth.
4. Diet: Keep an eye on what you eat, as some foods are more likely to cause bad breath. For example, a diet high in sugar will encourage bacteria to grow in your mouth, and this will cause a bad smell. So try to add more fruit and vegetables to your diet.
5. Drink water: Stay hydrated throughout the day and limit drinks containing alcohol or caffeine, as well as sugary or acidic juices.
6. Regular check-ups: You should see your dentist regularly to prevent and detect any possible problems.