How to get rid of bad breath - proven and effective methods. Causes of halitosis if a person is healthy

Ah, it's fresh breath! Top 10 tips: 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.

It is worth noting that all over the world, almost every second person has encountered such an unpleasant problem as bad breath or, by the medical name, halitosis. Why does such a phenomenon arise as an unpleasant smell from the oral cavity, which spoils the life of not only the person who has it, but also the people around him? Bad breath occurs only if the air exhaled by a person contains sulfurous substances or hydrogen sulfide in high concentrations. Such compounds are formed in the human oral cavity as a result of the vital activity of bacteria. If their number in the oral cavity is normal, then you will not be bothered by bad breath, but if a favorable environment is created that promotes their reproduction, then halitosis appears. The reproduction of aerobic bacteria occurs on the mucous membrane of the tongue, on the teeth and pharynx. The higher the number of microorganisms in the oral cavity, the stronger the odor becomes.

What are the causes of bad breath?

A problem with the oral cavity can arise for two reasons. First, a person simply does not observe oral hygiene, the presence of bad habits and malnutrition. The second reason is a disease of the teeth, gums, stomach or respiratory tract. Let's look at these reasons in more detail.

First reason: nutrition. All foods that a person eats are broken down in the oral cavity by the action of saliva. After that, in the process of digestion, they pass through the circulatory system and are removed with exhaled air. Foods such as garlic and onions have a very strong odor that is difficult to remove by brushing your teeth or rinsing your mouth with various fresheners. For them to be removed from the body, you have to wait a while.

The second reason: bad habits. Everyone knows that if hygiene in the oral cavity is not observed, then bacteria begin to multiply, which leads to the formation of halitosis. Smoking, drinking alcohol, chewing tobacco all these bad habits contribute to the development of bacteria, irritation of the gums. The taste sensations and color of the teeth begin to change.

Third reason: diseases. Of course, the cause of bad breath is probably due to various diseases. Inflammatory gum diseases, such as pulpitis, periodontitis, can occur, which are caused by plaque and multiple accumulation of microorganisms, as well as the action of their toxins. Halitosis can also be caused by a disease such as caries, if the denture is not installed correctly or there are diseases of the oral fungus.

Fourth reason: dry mouth. When saliva is not secreted and is not able to clean the oral cavity to wash away plaque and dead cells. For this reason, the cells that are on the gums remain on the inside of the cheeks and the tongue begin to decompose intensively, causing bad breath. Dry mouth can be caused by pathologies of the salivary glands, the use of various medications, or the intake of alcohol.

The development of more serious diseases can also contribute to the occurrence of gestosis. These include nasal infections, heartburn. Respiratory diseases. These include pneumonia and bronchitis. Diseases of diabetes mellitus, diseases of the kidneys and many other organs.

How to treat bad breath with folk remedies?

What advice can you give to a person who has such a problem as bad breath? It is very important and necessary to monitor oral hygiene. Thoroughly brush your teeth, using a brush or floss, to thoroughly remove food residue after eating so that plaque does not form. Mouthwashes may also be used. You need to brush your teeth every day or preferably after you have eaten, not forgetting about the tongue, because it also accumulates a lot of bacteria. You should change your toothbrush every three months and buy a toothpaste that contains fluoride. If you use dentures, you should clean them every morning and take them off at night.

Regular visits to the dentist at least twice a year are considered extremely important. This should be done not only when your teeth hurt, but also to prevent halitosis and more serious diseases of the teeth and gums.

If possible, you should give up bad habits and drink more fluids to avoid dry mouth. You need to use chewing gum, it promotes the production of saliva and eliminates plaque and dead cells.

You should not forget about proper nutrition. To determine which food is causing oral problems, you need to keep a food diary. It is necessary for me to show a dentist or gastroenterologist so that they determine the cause of bad breath.

Gargling, chewing gums, antiseptics for the oral cavity and special refreshing sprays help to temporarily eliminate bad breath.

How to treat bad breath with herbs?

Bad breath can be cured with the help of traditional medicine, such as infusions or decoctions of various herbs.

St. John's wort tincture is used for rinsing. You need to add 30 drops of this remedy to half a glass of water. For ingestion, an infusion of strawberries is used. We take a tablespoon of the plant and brew it in two glasses of boiling water and insist for several hours, and drink this infusion every day for half a glass.

You can also insist herb sour. You need to take three tablespoons of acid and pour 0.5 liters of boiling water and insist for 2 hours. Then the infusion should be filtered through gauze and rinse the mouth. You can also dilute the sour juice with water and rinse in the same way.

There is another recipe for rinsing the mouth - this is an infusion of bitter wormwood. Method of preparation: dilute 1 teaspoon in a glass of boiling water, brew for 20 minutes. It is recommended to use an infusion of sorrel leaves. You need to add a tablespoon of sorrel leaves to a glass of boiling water with a volume of 0.5 liters and let it boil for 15 minutes. Then remove from heat and leave for 2 hours to brew. After the infusion should be filtered and used up to four times a day a few minutes before meals. It is also useful to chew sorrel leaves.

You can also rinse with infusions of peppermint and alcohol tincture using celery. You need to take the plant to insist in a glass of alcohol for two weeks. Before the procedure, this solution must be diluted with cool boiled water. An infusion of alder leaves is also used to rinse the mouth. In half a liter of boiling water, brew about 20 g of alder leaves and rinse six times during the day. The same can be done with kombucha.

Collections of oak bark, chamomile, nettle and birch leaves are also used. All this is brewed like tea and mouth rinses can be carried out.

VIDEO - breath smell

Doctor Komarovsky about bad breath

Treating bad breath with oil and berries

Another way to get rid of bad breath is an old proven remedy. Every person at home must have vegetable oil. So for the procedure, any vegetable, olive or linseed oil is suitable. They should rinse their mouth for 10 minutes. The oil helps to clean the entire oral cavity and tongue along with the gums from plaque and dead cells.

You can eliminate bad breath with sea buckthorn oil. Berries also save from this disease. For this, infusions on water or alcohol from dry rose hips, cranberries and sea buckthorn are suitable.

For the preparation of the infusion, strawberries are suitable. You need to take 3 tablespoons of strawberries and insist 4 hours in 250 ml of water. Such an infusion should be taken several times a day, preferably before eating.

Folk tips and recipes on how to get rid of bad breath

1. If there is a need to urgently get rid of the strong smell of onions or garlic, then parsley or calamus root will help you with this. They are reliable odor maskers.
2. All the awkward situations associated with stale breath will help solve ordinary roasted seeds.
3. To keep your breath fresh for the whole day, eat a few anise seeds or nuts on an empty stomach.
4. It masks the smell of cloves very well. To do this, you need to dissolve the cap of cloves three times a day.
5. To overcome the smell from the oral cavity, you need to eat ordinary apples.
6. To ensure fresh breath, you need to drink sweet birch or maple juices daily.
7. You can get rid of problems with the oral cavity and prevent the development of dental diseases if you perform simple actions. It is necessary to perform the following procedure every morning: Cleanse the root of the tongue, as it accumulates plaque and toxins produced by bacteria. You need to dissolve a little salt in a glass of warm water and rinse your mouth.
8. It must be remembered that problems with the oral cavity arise due to improper lifestyle and nutrition. To do this, you need to give up addictions (smoking, drinking alcohol) and start eating only healthy food.

Causes of bad breath

Bad breath is called halitosis. Depending on the state of health, halitosis can be temporary or permanent.

The main cause of bad breath is a slowdown in saliva production, which leads to the appearance of dead cells on the tongue, which are in the process of decomposition, so almost all people (9 out of 10 people) experience halitosis in the morning. Also, bad breath can appear during long journeys when a person does not drink enough water.

In general, a bad smell often comes from the tongue, however, the process of decomposition of dead cells can also occur in other areas of the oral cavity, for example, in the teeth, between which food remains get stuck, which begin to decompose over time. If you do not brush your teeth for a long time, then bacteria accumulate on the teeth, which can also cause a very specific smell from the mouth.

Eating and smoking are also common causes of bad breath, and strict diets and fasting can lead to halitosis.

Oral infections such as caries, periodontitis or stomatitis also affect the freshness of breath.

There are also a number of medical reasons that cause bad breath: the use of certain types of drugs, liver and kidney disease, diabetes, gastro-intestinal reflux, etc.

The smell of acetone from the mouth

The reason for the smell of acetone from the mouth are the by-products of fat metabolism, which are produced in the body during starvation, lack of carbohydrates or diabetes.

Ketones can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis. In this case, you need to urgently seek help from a specialist.

How to check bad breath yourself

It is better to play it safe and independently check for the presence of an unpleasant odor. Language is its main source, so it must be checked first.

If the tongue is pink and without plaque, then this is a good sign, but white and with deposits is not very good. You need to scrape off a little plaque from the tongue with the tip of a spoon, let it dry completely, and then smell it.

There is another way to check the freshness of breath: you need to lick the back of your hand, let the saliva dry, and then smell the surface.

How to eliminate bad breath

Halitosis occurs for various reasons. Sometimes a timely visit to the doctor helps to solve this problem. Unfortunately, all methods to combat this problem are temporary, so the procedures must be constantly repeated in order to save yourself and others from bad breath.

Drink more water. If saliva is constantly produced in the mouth, then the chances of halitosis are significantly reduced.

When brushing your teeth, do not forget to use a special tongue scraper that removes plaque from it. If you carry out this procedure regularly, you can significantly reduce bad breath.

Use dental floss during hygiene procedures. This will help get rid of food debris that gets stuck between the teeth and, although the tongue is still the main source of bad breath, dental floss also plays a role.

If it is not possible to brush your teeth immediately after eating, then instead of chewing gum or mint candy, it is better to use a mouthwash. It is necessary to rinse your mouth for 30 seconds, and then do not eat or smoke anything for half an hour after rinsing.

How to get rid of bad breath with food

Green tea has strong antibacterial properties that help to temporarily reduce bad breath.

Cinnamon contains essential oils that kill many bacteria. You can add a cinnamon stick to your morning tea or porridge.

Certain fruits and crunchy vegetables also help freshen breath. With an unpleasant smell help to cope: apples, celery, carrots, berries, oranges and melons.

For a while, the seeds give freshness to the breath: anise, cardamom, fennel, dill and parsley.

How to get rid of the smell of onions and garlic

Onions and garlic are inevitable and very healthy ingredients that make the dish tastier and healthier. However, it is after eating onions and garlic that a specific smell from the mouth appears.

Apple, lemon juice, green tea and milk can help with bad breath.

How to eliminate the smell of alcohol and

Unfortunately, it is not so easy to get rid of the obsessive smell of alcohol, and no method is 100% effective. However, you can try brushing your teeth thoroughly, drinking a cup of black coffee or chewing coffee beans, chewing gum or activated charcoal 10-20 tablets (according to weight).

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 scrape it on 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 are 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 bacteria that they release 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, as 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 "aaaa" - 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)