Why does my mouth stink? Bad breath causes and treatment in adults how to get rid of it

Bad breath, like an annoying piece of paper stuck to your shoe, usually harmless, but so inconvenient. And most importantly, no one will tell you about it. At the microbial level, bad breath occurs during the breakdown of food and from the presence of microorganisms in our mouths.

After any meal, small particles of food linger on the gums. Leftover food gets stuck between the teeth and settle on the tongue. Naturally they undergo decomposition. The process releases a bunch of stinking combinations and generates fetid dragon smell or, as it is more formally called, halitosis.

Good news: the phenomenon is usually temporary. Simply rinse your mouth and brush your teeth with toothpaste. Bad news? If the pungent odor is not caused by food or culinary preferences, then it most likely has a deeper cause. Let's look at several reasons why your breath is stale and your breath smells bad.

What Causes Bad Breath?

Certainly, bad breath makes it difficult to communicate with others. It is necessary to solve an unfavorable problem, or you will have to spend your life alone. Usually the reasons are banal dental caries or tobacco abuse.

It is easy to provoke a stench if you include foods with a pungent taste in your diet - onions, garlic, spices. Possibly, bad breath is generated due to a disease of the digestive tract. It is necessary to make an appointment with a doctor, establish an accurate diagnosis and begin treatment according to his recommendations.

It is almost impossible to detect hateful changes on your own. But if you smell something fishy, the prime suspect to charge is your diet. For example, onions and garlic (two of our favorite flavor enhancers) are notorious for causing persistent, bad breath. Fortunately, this problem is easily solved. If you identify foods that are causing problems, simply avoid them in your diet.

In contrast, there is chronic halitosis, the medical name for bad breath. The situation is always adjacent to an imbalance in the body. If the odor is not caused by strong-smelling foods, it is potentially a sign of brewing complications. Pathology of the intestinal tract is accompanied by the growth of anaerobic bacteria in the mouth, prone to fermentation of sugar, which provokes a very unpleasant odor.

Causes of bad breath

Infections that lead to bacterial overgrowth.
A dry mouth is a good reason for an unfortunate circumstance. Saliva is essential for neutralizing acids, removing dead cells, and maintaining a balanced microbial population.
Excessive growth of Helicobacter pylori H. pylori - a bacterium that produces gastritis and gastric ulcers.
Too many sulfur-containing bacteria.
Medicines with side effects that dry out the mouth.
Change your brush regularly.

Bad breath after waking up

Sounds familiar, right? Breathing in the morning is significantly different from during the day, but why does this happen? It's simple, plunging into the kingdom of Morpheus, all your life processes slow down. However, the bacteria remain awake.

As saliva production slows down, you swallow less, microorganisms are not “washed away” and are actively active. This is why morning breath takes on a bad character. Bad odor gets worse if people breathe through their mouth while sleeping

Just brush your teeth in the morning using toothpaste to avoid awkward situations. Not fresh morning breath is considered quite normal, from a medical point of view. It should not be taken too seriously.

Bad breath will haunt you if you breathe through your mouth.

Again, it's all about saliva. Breathing through the mouth leads to intense evaporation. Due to lack of fluid, a person swallows less and does not flush out food debris. In fitness clubs you can see people enthusiastic about working out with their mouths open. Most likely, such athletes have a stench. The more time people spend exercising, the more likely they are to have trouble keeping their breath fresh.

This presumably occurs because the reduced saliva flow during exercise does not have time to rinse the mouth of bacteria. Of course, this is not a reason to give up physical exercise, just monitor this point and avoid dehydration during exercise. Water is the source of life, replenish your supplies in a timely manner.

Saliva contains vital protective enzymes that help kill bad bacteria, so a dry mouth can contribute to a smelly situation. Drinking fluids stimulates the salivary glands and helps keep your mouth moist. If you consume the optimal 8 glasses of water per day, then the problem should go away.

Product with a strong odor

Herring with onions or smoked mackerel? Don't forget about the one that contains caustic and pungent oils, especially garlic, onion, and radish oils. Such things will certainly provoke a pronounced bad breath.

The situation is aggravated by garlic belching. Traditional methods of “seizing” the smell are unfortunately ineffective. We recommend trying an alternative approach:

1. Milk. Surprisingly, drinking a glass of milk can help keep the garlic smell under control. Milk effectively combats the concentration of odorous compounds. It should be noted that whole milk gets rid of smelly compounds more quickly than skim reconstituted milk.

2. Eat parsley. Parsley is a little known fix for dragon exhaust in an emergency. She has a cleansing effect.Fresh aroma of parsleyhides garlic amber from others.

No food during the day

It is enough to stop eating regularly and after a couple of weeks you will begin to exude bad breath. Lack of nutrition limits saliva production. Drooling again? Yes, clearing the mouth of food particles is important, but normal salivation plays a secondary role. Enzymes break down the residue, allowing it to slide down the throat without hindrance.

To avoid this, try to organize regular meals. Gaps should not exceed four hours. Under normal conditions, the salivary glands are capable of secreting one and a half to two liters of fluid per day. Saliva performs the most important functions: it disinfects the oral cavity and provides protection against caries.

Smoking tobacco causes bad breath

Just add “bad breath” to the kit with the most sophisticated brands of tobacco. There is no point in looking for another cause of the stench and fooling dentists and therapists. We know that smoking provokes the formation of cancer cells, the process is invisible. The stench of a smoker is much more pronounced. In addition , the addiction dries out, reducing the efficiency of the salivary glands.

Alcoholic drinks

The study provides clear evidence: drinking alcohol and maintaining a healthy balance of microbes in your mouth is a difficult task. Drinking alcohol, like smoking, leads to drastic changes in bacteria.

Alcohol consumption has been found to be associated with an increase in halitosis. Even if you brush your teeth in the morning. The authors of the study claim that drinking dries out a person's mouth, and the effect of alcohol metabolism is also triggered.

Alcohol contributes to the development of diseases related to the internal organs, including periodontal disease, throat cancer and cancer of the digestive tract.

The medicine also dries out the mouth

Many medications are associated with bad breath, usually because they dry out the mouth. The main dangers are: antihistamines and sedatives, amphetamines, antidepressants, diuretics, decongestants, anticholinergics and some antipsychotics.

Certain ones (especially in high doses) are also a cause. And it can reduce the amount of saliva that the salivary glands produce

The course of treatment should not be changed. Drink water. Try cleaning your tongue with a toothbrush or tongue scraper. Plaque harbors a large population of bacteria that causes smelly breath. Mechanical scraping of the surface inhibits the spread of bad breath, of course temporarily, but effectively.

Low carb diet

It is known that reducing carbohydrate intake leads to an increase in the level of halitosis. When comparing low-carb diets with low-fat diets, it was found that people in the first group developed bad breath compared to the second group. It should be noted that those “on a low-fat diet” admit that they began to come off more and release the “whisperer” from the butt.

Pay attention to hygiene

Has your mother already warned that plaque can destroy your teeth, leaving you without teeth? Poor oral hygiene certainly contributes to bad breath. But these “holes” from caries cause halitosis. Food that gets into the cavity is difficult to clean out, and the remains of the last meal linger longer than usual. As a result, rotting food leads to even more bad breath.

Brush your teeth at least twice a day. You should spend at least two minutes brushing. You need to make sure you reach even the hard to reach areas. Pay special attention to the areas where the tooth meets the gum.

It is better to take care of your teeth immediately after a meal. Basic care reduces the level of bacteria that cause tooth decay and bad breath. It should be remembered that there are drinks with high acidity, especially commercial soda or coffee. They soften the enamel and it is not advisable to brush your teeth immediately after eating, as you can damage the enamel. These circumstances must be taken into account; it is better to postpone cleaning for 30 minutes so that the enamel hardens.

Dentures and braces

We're not just talking about orthodontic braces, but also dentures and fixed bridges, which are also difficult to keep clean. Because they are “magnets” for food particles, it is important to schedule daily care. Research shows that dental appliances are excellent at trapping food debris—which is why a good cleaning regimen is so important.

Heartburn is the cause of bad breath

The predominant cause of halitosis is caused by bacteria in the mouth. But researchers suspect a rare digestive disorder is causing bad breath in people. , such as gastroesophageal reflux disease. This is when the contents of the stomach move in the opposite direction, reaching the esophagus.

One study found that bad breath was more common in people with GERD, a chronic, relapsing condition caused by spontaneous but recurring stomach acid leaking into the esophagus. Unlike other patients with digestive problems. This may be because the disease damages the tissue in a person's throat.

Streptococcal throat infection

The bacterial infection causes bad breath and foul odor. Not only acute or chronic inflammation of the throat is dangerous, but also other types of sinus infections. They can develop into bacterial organisms that produce a smelly, pus-like type of mucus. (Sorry for the visualization.) Additionally, some of these infections involve certain types of bacteria that cause a person's mouth to smell particularly bad.

Individual bacteria are different

It happens: your partner wakes up in the morning smelling like half a bottle of Listerine - a breath freshener. And you, you ate half an onion ring and are afraid to open your mouth for the next hour! In some cases, it may have nothing to do with how often you brush your teeth. Everyone has a different composition of saliva, different types and levels of bacteria in the oral cavity. They all affect how your breath smells in certain situations.

Blood sugar levels determine bad breath

You don't need to worry about this unless you have type 1 diabetes, which is a fairly rare condition. But if your breath produces an almost sweet aroma, it's a sign that you're experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious complication that occurs when there's not enough insulin.

Life Condition People with diabetes (usually type 1) may experience a heart attack or kidney failure. Other symptoms include frequent urination, nausea and muscle stiffness. This is often a sign that blood sugar levels are dangerously high and the person needs emergency medical attention.

Sjögren's syndrome

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an immune system disorder. It manifests itself in middle-aged women against the background of autoimmune conditions. Sjögren's syndrome can occur either on its own or with another autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. The salivary and lacrimal glands are the main targets of the syndrome. The syndrome results in decreased production of saliva and tears. This means a very dry mouth, which, you guessed it, increases your risk of developing halitosis.

Myths about bad breath

Poor breathing is usually caused by decreased saliva flow. Saliva plays an important role in digestion and helps remove unpleasant odors from the mouth. The good news is that bad breath can often be prevented with simple steps.

If bad breath is caused by bacteria, you just need to get rid of them. If you don't brush and floss your teeth, bacteria accumulates on food bits left in your mouth and between your teeth. The sulfur compounds produced by these bacteria cause a terrible odor.

There are many myths about bad odor. Here are three things you may have heard that are not true:

Myth No. 1: Oral rinsing will get rid of bad breath.

By rinsing your mouth, you only temporarily get rid of the unpleasant odor. If you use mouthwash, look for an antiseptic that kills germs. For example, Listerine dulls bad breath and reduces the rate of plaque formation.

Myth No. 2: Brushing your teeth will make bad breath go away.

The truth is that most people brush their teeth for 30-45 seconds, which is simply not acceptable. To sufficiently clean all surfaces of your teeth, you should brush for at least 2 minutes, twice a day.

Don't forget to clean your tongue too - bacteria love to hang out there. This is no less important than brushing your teeth. Scrape the white coating off your tongue, it sounds painful, but tolerable. This is done using a tongue scraper or soft toothbrush, once a day after brushing your teeth. Use electric toothbrushes, they are effective in removing plaque.

Myth No. 3: If you exhale into your hand, it is easy to detect bad breath.

Wrong! When you breathe, you don't use your throat. When you speak, you use your entire diaphragm and cause bad breath. In addition, we tend to get used to our own odors; it is difficult for a person to tell if he has bad breath.

If you are concerned about bad breath, make sure you are taking care of your health. Don't rely on gum or mints, which can only temporarily mask odors.

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. Bad breath is usually caused by diseases of the digestive organs (stomach, liver, intestines, teeth and oral cavity). In most cases, it occurs due to the accumulation in a person’s mouth - on the tongue, around the teeth and between the teeth - of a large number of anaerobic bacteria.

This condition is also known as “halitosis” or “halitosis”, “ozostomia”, “stomatodysody”. The problem of bad breath is by no means insoluble. Methods for 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 experience bad breath, and we ourselves can often find out about this only by the reaction of the people around us. Determining whether you have bad breath can often be difficult, primarily because the mouth, the source of all these odors, is connected to the nose through an opening at the back of the mouth, in the area of the soft palate. And since the nose “filters” odors that arise in the back of the mouth, it thus filters out this most unpleasant odor. That is, it is quite possible that you have this bad breath - but you yourself don’t know about it.

If even our own noses can't help us determine with certainty what our breath smells like, can we still know? One way is to get an opinion on this matter from one of your closest relatives. You can also make the same request to a close friend, or to your dentist during your 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 what your breath smells like?

Such methods are also known. For example, lick your wrist, let the saliva dry for about five seconds, and then smell the area. So how? That's pretty much what you smell like. 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 the farthest part of your tongue with it. (Don't be surprised if you start choking when you do this.) Look at the substance left on the spoon that you scraped off your tongue - it is usually thick and whitish. Now smell it. This is the smell of your breath (as opposed to the smell of the front of your tongue) that others are likely to smell.

The main cause of unpleasant odor

Now you know that in most cases, the source of bad breath is the white substance 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 unpleasant odor - bacteria that accumulate in other areas of the mouth.

What conditions or circumstances can cause or increase an unpleasant odor? Many of these factors are somehow related to:

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

Can food cause an unpleasant odor?

Some foods have a long-standing reputation for causing unpleasant odors, such as onions or garlic. When food is digested, the molecules that make it up are absorbed by our body and then removed from it through the bloodstream.

Some of these molecules, which have very characteristic and unpleasant odors, enter our lungs along with the bloodstream. They are removed from the lungs when you exhale - hence the unpleasant odor. Although this kind of unpleasant odor is a rather annoying problem, we will not discuss it in detail on these pages. The unpleasant odor caused by the consumption of certain foods usually disappears on its own after a day or two - as soon as the body eliminates all the “bad-smelling” molecules. And getting rid of such a smell is quite simple - you just need to exclude such foods from your diet or reduce their consumption to a minimum.

Does smoking cause bad odor?

You've probably met people who smoke heavily and whose breath has a specific smell. Although many factors influence the formation of the unpleasant odor associated with smoking, the main ones are nicotine, tar and other foul-smelling substances contained in tobacco smoke. These substances accumulate on the teeth and soft tissues of a smoker's mouth - gums, cheek tissue, tongue. And let's make a reservation again - we will not discuss this type of unpleasant odor in detail on these pages either. The only way to completely get rid of this odor is to quit smoking (although if you improve your oral hygiene, this odor can be reduced somewhat). 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 metabolic products. Dry mouth is discussed in more detail below. It is known that people who smoke are more likely to experience problems associated with periodontal disease (“gum disease”).

Periodontal diseases also occur due to bacterial activity. Gum disease and its connection to bad odor is discussed in more detail below.

Does xerostomia (dry mouth) contribute to bad breath?

Even if you don’t have any particular problems with unpleasant odor, 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 out” at night - because during sleep our body produces less saliva. The result of this drying out is “morning breath”. A similar “drying effect” is often noticed by, for example, teachers or lawyers who have to talk for several hours - this also causes their mouths to dry out. Some people suffer from chronic dry mouth, a condition called xerostomia. It is even more difficult for them to solve problems with fresh breath. Moisture in our mouths helps cleanse. We constantly swallow saliva - and with each swallow, millions of bacteria are washed out of our mouth, as well as the food particles that these bacteria feed on. In addition, saliva dissolves and washes away the waste products of bacteria living in the mouth.

Saliva is a special form of liquid that moisturizes the mouth, a kind of natural mouth cleanser. Any moisture can have a cleansing and dissolving effect; saliva, in addition, contains special components that kill bacteria and neutralize their waste products. When your mouth dries out, the beneficial effects of saliva are greatly reduced. Neutralization of bacteria slows down and conditions for their growth improve.

Chronic dry mouth - xerostomia - can also be a side effect of taking certain medications. Xerostomia can be caused by antihistamines (allergy and cold medications), antidepressants, medications that regulate blood pressure, diuretics, tranquilizers, and narcotics. Dry mouth can get worse as you 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 suffer from xerostomia for a long time are more likely to develop periodontal disease (gum disease). Gum disease can also cause bad breath.

Can periodontal disease cause bad odor?

Periodontal disease, commonly referred to simply as “gum disease,” can also cause 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.

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

They occur more often in people over 35 years of age - that is, the older a person is, 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 neglected, it can lead to serious damage to the bone into which our teeth are “inserted.” Often, as this disease progresses, gaps (dentists call them “periodontal pockets”) form between the teeth and gums, where large amounts of bacteria accumulate. These pockets can be so deep that they are difficult to clean properly; bacteria and their metabolic products that accumulate in them also cause an unpleasant odor.

Can a respiratory disease cause an unpleasant odor?

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 the opening in the soft palate. The accumulation of these secretions in the mouth can also cause an unpleasant odor.

People with sinus disease often have a stuffy nose, forcing them to breathe through their mouth. Breathing through the mouth causes it to dry out, which, as we already know, also causes an unpleasant odor. For sinus disease, antihistamines (anti-allergic) medications are often taken, which also contribute to dry mouth.

What dental diseases can cause an unpleasant odor?

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

Can other untreated diseases cause bad odor?

Some diseases of the internal organs can also cause an unpleasant odor. If the patient has tried all the usual methods for eliminating an unpleasant odor in such cases, but they have led nowhere, then a visit to a 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, and gastrointestinal diseases.

Can dentures cause bad odor?

Dentures (full, partial, removable, etc.) can have a significant impact on the freshness of your breath. If you wear any dentures, there is a simple test you can do to see if your dentures are causing bad odor:

Remove your dentures and place them in a closed container, such as a plastic lunch box. Close it tightly and leave it like that for five minutes. Then open it sharply and immediately smell it. This is roughly what the people you talk to smell like from your mouth.

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

What is actually the main cause of unpleasant odor?

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 living in it. Bacteria, like humans, consume food and excrete waste throughout their lives. The waste products of some types of bacteria are sulfur compounds, and they are the cause of the unpleasant odor. Remember what a rotten egg smells like? This smell is also caused by the formation of a sulfur compound in the egg - hydrogen sulfide. 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 are released by bacteria that live in our mouths. These substances are collectively called "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 create bad breath, bacteria. living in the oral cavity, they also secrete other products that have a very unpleasant aroma. Here are some of them:

Cadavrine is a substance that produces a characteristic cadaverous odor.
- Putrescine - forms a stench when meat rots.
- Skatole is the main component of the odor 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 so, and, unfortunately, there are no exceptions. Every person, to one degree or another, has these, so to speak, aromas in his breath. Fortunately, the human sense of smell does not detect these odors if their concentration in the breath is low. Only when it rises does that characteristic unpleasant odor form.

What types of bacteria cause bad odor?

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 produce products that create an unpleasant odor, and other bacteria that do not. The freshness of our breath is determined, strictly speaking, by the degree of balance in the presence of both bacteria. Accumulation 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 odor-producing bacteria. Imagine - a layer of plaque only one or two tenths of a millimeter thick (that is, approximately the thickness of a banknote) no longer contains oxygen at all - that is, there is no better place for bacteria. Therefore, as plaque accumulates, it is inhabited by more and more bacteria that create an unpleasant odor - which means that each of our exhalations contains more and more compounds released by these bacteria.

What do anaerobic bacteria that produce an unpleasant odor feed on?

Most of the foul-smelling substances that cause bad breath are released by bacteria after consuming protein. That is, when we eat foods such as meat or fish, the bacteria living in our mouth also receive their share of food. And what they secrete after eating are those same compounds. which cause an unpleasant odor. Anaerobic bacteria will find proteins - their favorite food - in anything, even the cheeseburger you eat. In addition, in our mouths there is always “natural” protein food for them - for example, dead skin cells, or numerous protein components contained in saliva. If you do not regularly use a toothbrush and floss, a real feast for bacteria will form in your mouth - leftover food from today's breakfast, yesterday's dinner, the day before yesterday's lunch...

Which foods contain the most protein?

Meat, fish and seafood, eggs, dairy products (milk, cheeses and yoghurts) - all these products contain a lot of protein. Most people get about two-thirds of their protein needs from them. Other sources of protein are cereals and products made from them, nuts, leguminous plants (peas, beans and lentils). The ingredients found in many of our favorite desserts (like cakes and pies) make these delicious foods protein pantries.

Where do the bacteria that cause bad odor 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 odor produced at the front of our tongue may not be the most pleasant, it is usually not the main source of breath freshness problems. The main “component” of the unpleasant odor is formed in the back of the tongue. Go to the mirror, stick out your tongue and look at it carefully. You will probably see a whitish coating on its surface. Closer to the back of the tongue, this coating becomes denser. The amount of bacteria that accumulates on the human tongue depends on the texture of its surface. People whose tongue surface has more folds, grooves and indentations will have more of this amount than people with a smoother tongue surface. In order to create a favorable environment for the life of bacteria in the white layer of the tongue - i.e. deprived of oxygen - this layer can have a thickness of only one or two tenths of a millimeter. This “oxygen-free” environment is also called “anaerobic”; This is where 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 there are, the fresher it is.

Periodontal sources

Bacteria that cause an unpleasant odor also feel quite comfortable in areas of the oral cavity other than the tongue. Perhaps you have noticed that while flossing your teeth, an unpleasant odor sometimes also appears. And perhaps this smell becomes more noticeable when you start brushing between your back teeth. In the spaces between the teeth, bacteria that create 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 - for example, 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 damages 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 usually very difficult or impossible to clean, and they become an ideal anaerobic environment in which odor-causing bacteria live and thrive.

How to get rid of an unpleasant odor?

Since the main source of bad breath is foul-smelling bacterial secretions (volatile sulfur compounds), the main way to get rid of them is to cleanse the oral cavity in such a way as to:

Deprive bacteria of nutrients.
- Reduce the amount of bacteria already accumulated in the mouth.
- Reduce the anaerobic environment in which bacteria live and multiply.
- Prevent the formation of new breeding grounds for bacteria.

You can also use cleaners 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 bacteria produce when digesting 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 proper 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 accumulate, causing an unpleasant odor, then, without properly cleaning your mouth after eating, you will thereby provide them with a sufficient amount of nutrients for a long time.

To get rid of unpleasant odor, you need to brush your teeth and gums. The bacteria that produce products that cause bad breath also live in the plaque that accumulates on the teeth and gum line. In order to reduce this plaque, prevent its further accumulation and remove food debris that “lingers” in the mouth and serves as food for bacteria, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the teeth and gums with a toothbrush and dental floss. Let us remind you about dental floss once again. If you do not thoroughly and daily clean the spaces between your teeth where a toothbrush cannot reach, you will be unlikely to get rid of bad breath.

Diagnosis of the causes of bad breath

Particular attention must be paid to diagnostic methods. First of all, you need to inform your doctor about the presence of chronic diseases. It has been established that the occurrence of bad breath is significantly influenced by nutritional and hygienic factors, therefore patients are advised to refrain from eating, drinking, rinsing the mouth and smoking for at least two hours before diagnostic measures.

The first is a hedonic research method, carried out by a doctor who evaluates the quality and strength of the unpleasant odor, and gives a rating 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 volatile sulfur compounds in the oral cavity, so measuring the concentration of these gases is the main way to determine the severity of halitosis.

The next stage is a microbiological study. The diagnostic stage is very important, since 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 bad breath does not disappear, call and make an appointment with your dentist, 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 option because:

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

2) Effective cleaning of teeth can be hindered by tartar built up on them. Your dentist will remove it.

3) If you have signs of periodontal disease (“gum disease”), your doctor will identify them and provide you with appropriate treatment. Periodontal disease can seriously damage your teeth and the surrounding bone. This creates deep “pockets” between the teeth and gums in which bacteria accumulate, 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 the unpleasant odor.

5) If your doctor seems unlikely that these diseases are the cause of the unpleasant odor, he will suggest that you make an appointment with a therapist and will provide appropriate explanations.

You need to clean your tongue thoroughly

Since most people tend to ignore this procedure, try making it part of your daily oral care routine. Very often, using this method alone - without additional measures - helps eliminate unpleasant odors. Think back again to 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 happens because the front area of the tongue constantly cleans itself - and therefore fewer anaerobic bacteria accumulate on it. As the tongue moves, 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 possible. Therefore, odor-causing bacteria accumulate mainly on the back of the tongue, which is why it is this area that needs periodic cleaning.

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

How to clean your tongue using a toothbrush or a special brush.

You can use a toothbrush or a special tongue brush to clean the surface of your tongue. Start brushing with the furthest areas you can reach, then gradually move the brush strokes (directed anteriorly) towards the front of the tongue. The 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 cleansers. You can learn more about this on the page dedicated to oral cleaners. Pastes that neutralize volatile sulfur compounds. Since VSCs are what cause bad odor, toothpastes containing neutralizing VSCs - 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 destroy anaerobic bacteria when cleaning your tongue.

Although brushing your tongue with a toothbrush can provide quite satisfactory results, many people prefer to use a special tongue scraping spoon, believing this method is 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 brush. In order to test your reaction to this method, you can conduct a simple experiment. Take a regular spoon from the kitchen (better a teaspoon than a table spoon), turn it over and try to scrape your tongue with it. To do this, touch the back of your tongue with a spoon, press it lightly and pull it forward. Do this carefully, but without effort. Don't scrub too hard as this may irritate the surface of your tongue. If scraping as a method is not objectionable to you, buy a special spoon designed for this purpose at the pharmacy. 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 mouth rinses, when used along with regular and effective tongue cleaning, brushing and flossing, can also help a lot in getting rid of bad odor. You should not just rely on rinse aids and neglect the other measures listed. The ability of a liquid mouthwash to effectively combat 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 emit volatile sulfur compounds, which in turn form bad breath, the fewer of these bacteria there are in the mouth, the better.

C) The ability to neutralize volatile sulfur compounds. Rinse aids contain 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 create an unpleasant odor. If a 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 mouthwashes sold in pharmacies.

A) Rinse aids containing chlorine dioxide or sodium chlorite (Antibacterial / Neutralizes volatile sulfur compounds)
Many dentists believe that rinses containing chlorine dioxide or its constituent sodium chlorite play a critical role in neutralizing bad breath. Research data suggests that chlorine dioxide has a dual effect:

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

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

B) Rinse aids containing zinc (Neutralizes volatile sulfur compounds)
Research has shown that rinse aids 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.

B) “Antiseptic” type rinses (Antibacterial)
"Antiseptic" cleaners (such as Listerine and its 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 claims are also due to the fact that “antiseptic” mouthwashes 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, dry mouth can be one of the causes of unpleasant odor.

D) Rinse aids containing cetylpyridone chloride (Antibacterial)
Cetylpyridinium chloride is a component that is sometimes included in liquid mouthwashes. Having an antibacterial effect, it helps reduce the number of anaerobic bacteria.

Do mint tablets, lozenges, drops, sprays and chewing gum help get rid of unpleasant odor?

So are 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 conjunction with careful and regular tongue cleaning, brushing and flossing, these products can have very positive effects - 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 get rid of unpleasant odor.

How to use liquid mouthwash to achieve the greatest effect?

Bacteria that create an unpleasant odor 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 depths of this plaque, and therefore, before using such a cleaner, it is better to remove as much plaque as possible using your usual methods - scraping the tongue, brushing and flossing. Rinsing your mouth with mouthwash after these procedures will help remove any remaining bacteria. You don’t just need to put the mouthwash in your mouth, but rinse it properly. Before rinsing, say “a-a-a” - this will allow you to stick out your tongue so that the rinse gets to the back of it, where bacteria accumulate. After rinsing, the rinse aid should be immediately spit out. This is why children should not be allowed to use mouthwash - they may accidentally swallow it.

How to clean dentures

If your dentist has installed dentures in your mouth, he or she must explain to you how to properly clean them. Because bacteria accumulates on your dentures just as it does on your natural teeth, tongue, and gums, your doctor will advise you to clean your dentures with a regular toothbrush or a special brush, both the outside and inside of them. After cleaning the dentures, they need to be placed in a container with an antiseptic liquid (your dentist will also advise you which one).

What measures can you take on your own to get rid of an unpleasant odor?

Drink more water
Oddly enough, drinking plenty of water throughout the day will also help you reduce bad odor. If there is a lack of water, your body will try to retain it, which will reduce the production of saliva, and it will be less effective at dissolving and washing away bacteria and their secretions, which create an unpleasant odor. Drinking enough water every day is especially important for those suffering from xerostomia (chronic dry mouth).

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

Stimulate saliva production
This will also help you reduce bad odor. You remember that saliva cleanses the mouth, dissolving and washing away bacteria and their secretions. The easiest way to stimulate saliva production is to chew something. When you chew—anything—your body thinks you're eating food, so it signals it to increase saliva production. (Saliva is a very important component in digesting food). You can, for example, chew clove seeds, dill, mint or parsley. Peppermint tablets, chewing gum and mint candies help salivation. But: if you prefer these products, make sure they do not contain sugar. Sugar promotes the growth of bacteria that can cause tooth decay.

Maintain your oral hygiene especially carefully after consuming protein foods.
Anaerobic bacteria produce volatile sulfur compounds - the cause of unpleasant odors - as a result of consuming proteins. After you eat meat, fish or any other protein-rich food, thoroughly clean your mouth so that the smallest particles of protein food do not serve as a breeding ground for anaerobic bacteria.

Treatment of helminthiases helps eliminate bad breath in children
Scientists note that parents often notice bad breath in children with intestinal helminthiases (especially enterobiasis), which goes away after the helminths are eradicated. Scientists suggest that the cause of the 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 have a detrimental effect on the freshness of your breath.

Treatment for bad breath

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

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

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 didn't find the name of a bad breath pill here, but smart people will realize that the treatment will vary depending on your personal cause of the bad breath. A whole range of drugs may be needed, including antibiotics, which, as is known, cannot be used without identifying the pathogenic microorganism, and this can only be done through medical tests.

Which doctors should you contact if you have bad breath:

Dentist
Gastroenterologist
Therapist (general practitioner)

You can run a clean teaspoon along the back third (root) of your tongue, and after 20-30 minutes, sniff the dried spoon. The smell emanating from it is approximately 2 times more intense than that coming from you when talking with your interlocutor.

Chronic bad breath, causes and treatment

Why does my breath smell?

As mentioned earlier, the causes of bad breath can be divided into general (systemic) and local (dental).

Common Causes of Halitosis

These may be diseases of the digestive system, namely: peptic ulcer of the stomach and small intestine, hepatosis of the liver, chronic inflammation of the pancreas.

Quite often, the cause of halitosis is diabetes mellitus, especially during periods of unstable blood glucose levels.

Strong odor from the mouth occurs as a result of diseases of the ENT organs, especially chronic tonsillitis and sinusitis. Frequent purulent tonsillitis and pharyngitis are also sources of ozostomia. Forced mouth breathing also contributes to dry mouth and bad breath.

Local (dental) causes of halitosis

In the oral cavity, the most common causes of bad odor are diseases of the teeth and gums. These are carious teeth, gangrenous or hypertrophic pulpitis, periodontitis, root cysts of teeth, tartar above and below the gums.

Another cause of halitosis is dentures, dental crowns, dental implants, acrylic dentures and clasps that are not regularly cleaned.

Insufficient saliva production over a long period of time leads to dry mouth (in other words, xerostomia), which also leads to bad oral odor.

Germs and bad breath

The process of “air spoilage” in the oral cavity is directly carried out by different types of microbes, which, in the process of fermenting carbohydrates, produce sulfur compounds (hydrogen sulfide and others), which determine the bad oral odor. Particularly successful in this are anaerobic microorganisms that are located on the root of the tongue and in the depths of periodontal pockets or in the area of the transitional epithelium of the periodontal groove. The number of “oxygen-free dirty tricks” increases with poor oral hygiene and the presence of carious teeth, especially against the background of periodontitis. Anaerobes can also live in the pores of acrylic and nylon removable dentures. Thus, one of the significant reasons why your breath smells bad is poor hygiene of removable dentures.

Accordingly, high-quality removal of dental plaque, including in the subgingival area, along with cleaning of removable and fixed dentures can significantly reduce or completely eliminate unpleasant aromas from the oral cavity.

How to get rid of bad breath

What to do if your breath smells? What and how to remove bad breath? What can you do to prevent bad breath? For those patients who suffer from halitosis, these questions are far from rhetorical.

Treatment for bad breath can take anywhere from a few days to several months. Effective removal of bad breath is possible in the vast majority of cases. To get rid of unpleasant odor in the mouth, a comprehensive solution to the problem is necessary, which consists of treating systemic diseases, if any, as well as eliminating local causes leading to unpleasant oral odors.

Based on this, the patient undergoes treatment of endocrinological and other systemic diseases from specialized specialists, but we will now discuss the treatment of dental causes of halitosis.

Adjusting the super-meat diet

Excessive amounts of meat products contribute to the accumulation of their residues in the oral cavity, and the decomposition of protein increases the amount of hydrogen sulfide, which leads to the creation of a “fragrant amber” from the mouth.

Improving oral hygiene

In addition to following all standard procedures for individual hygiene, it is necessary to use an oral irrigator every day, use a properly selected dental mouth rinse, and also clean the back of the tongue. All this together reduces the number of pathogenic oral microbes that produce odorous sulfur compounds.

Regular visits to the dentist will allow you to have professional removal of dental plaque using the Air-flow and ultrasound method in a timely manner, which again reduces the chances of bad breath. Regular examination of your mouth will allow you to recognize periodontitis and other “mouth sores” in the early stages.
Regular and proper cleaning of removable and fixed dentures significantly reduces the intensity of bad odors emanating from the oral cavity.
To eliminate bad breath as part of complex therapy to remove unpleasant odors, you can use traditional medicine methods, in particular, freshly brewed infusions of parsley, mint, strawberries, dill, and sorrel leaves.

Bad breath (halitosis) is a big problem for both the patient and others. Despite the obvious ease of detection, you may not be aware of the problem, since you yourself do not feel the smell, and your loved ones are embarrassed to tell you about it.

Well, let's say they said... What's next? It often takes years to identify the cause and eliminate it! And this already entails emotional suffering and social failures. The prevalence of this problem, which we will further call the medical term halitosis, is extremely high. I don’t have data for Russia, but in the USA, at one time or another in their lives, every fifth person suffered from halitosis.

How to detect your scent

As already mentioned, halitosis is not always obvious to the patient himself. The best diagnosis is a trusting relationship in the family, when a loved one tells you about the problem. But if a loved one has a chronic runny nose or would never want to upset you, what should you do? There are several simple techniques to verify the presence or absence of halitosis yourself:

if there is plaque on the tongue, the likelihood of halitosis is already high, the plaque should be brushed off with a brush without toothpaste and sniffed;
clean the spaces between teeth with dental floss or a toothpick and evaluate the smell from them;
In the morning on an empty stomach, exhale slowly into a glass and then smell it;
press on the tonsils with a spoon, evaluate the smell from them;
If you have a removable denture, put it in a plastic bag for a few minutes, and then evaluate the purity of the smell in it.

How to calculate the cause

In reputable foreign journals, most articles on halitosis are devoted to dental problems. In second place are inflammatory processes in the nose, sinuses and tonsils. The esophagus and stomach, and other organs are rarely mentioned as sources of halitosis. Is this really the case? I don’t think so, rather the point is that these articles were written by dentists, and the patient first of all comes to them with such a problem. This, of course, is correct - you should start your search from top to bottom and from simple to complex.

Dentists have studied in great detail the immediate cause of bad breath - the smell is created by anaerobic (oxygen-free) bacteria living in the folds of the tongue, especially its root, in the tongue plaque, in the gum pockets, and less often in the lacunae of the tonsils. The most important provocateur of halitosis is dentures. An independent source of halitosis can be chronic inflammation in the nose and sinuses (nasohalitosis). These causes account for 99% of cases of bad breath. The remaining percentage will go to rare, advanced forms of diabetes and liver failure these days (they are easily diagnosed by a blood test).

How to get rid of odor

The mechanism associated with the proliferation of bacteria in the mouth is not synonymous with specific diseases. The true causes of halitosis may lie far beyond the oral cavity. In order for an anaerobic bacterium to begin to multiply, it needs a nutrient medium without access to oxygen. Such conditions are created during periodontal disease, periodontitis, caries, pulpitis and other dental diseases.

Therefore, the first task in the fight against halitosis is sanitation of the oral cavity. And if the elimination of fetid cavities in the teeth is usually achieved in a short time, then the treatment of periodontal disease can take time. The teeth have been cured, there is no periodontal disease, but the smell remains. We begin to blame the liver or some mythical “trash”. But in vain! You need to remember what your dentist told you about oral hygiene.

Cleaning your tongue

Sanitation means not only healthy teeth and gums, but also clean, plaque-free throats, tonsils and tongue. Cleaning the tongue, especially its distant part, is a necessary condition for the fight against halitosis, regardless of its cause.

For this purpose, special scrapers and brushes are produced, but a regular toothbrush has proven itself to be excellent; it should be used to clean not only your teeth, but also your tongue every day - just like your teeth, with toothpaste! If this is not enough, your dentist may prescribe antiseptic solutions and gels with an antibacterial component, such as metronidazole. Finally, you have achieved ideal cleanliness in your mouth and the dentist is ready to attach a “exemplary mouth” sign to your teeth. But the smell is still there. What to do now?

Contact an ENT doctor

The dentist will look deeper into the mouth and find postnasal drip - mucus and possibly pus flowing down the wall of the throat from the nose. This is already a job for an otorhinolarygologist. The ENT will perform a rhinoscopy (examine the nasal cavity with a video camera), tomography of the sinuses, find the cause of the inflammation, carry out treatment, and may even require surgery. You have been cured. And the smell... That smell hasn't gone anywhere! No, some were lucky both at the first stage and at the second, but often the plot develops according to the most bizarre scenarios.

For example, a patient came to me who went through all the stages described above many years ago, and his dentist decided that the problem was in the gum pockets, microbes live there. This wealthy patient bought and installed dental equipment at home with a total cost of 30,000 euros. The doctor performed procedures on her once a week for 5 years. Meanwhile, the patient had complaints of belching and heartburn. Gastroscopy showed inflammation of the esophagus, and an ENT specialist invited on this occasion discovered pharyngitis associated with reflux (inflammation of the pharynx).

Contact a gastroenterologist

What is reflux disease? This is a condition when the contents of the stomach are thrown back into the esophagus and even the pharynx, stomach acid burns them, they respond with copious mucus formation, creating conditions for the development of halitosis. That is, with reflux, the source of the smell is also not in the stomach - in the inflamed pharynx, tonsils, and at the root of the tongue. But the cause of suffering is a violation of the relationship between the esophagus and stomach. It should be said that this patient had the classic clues typical of reflux disease: belching and heartburn. But this doesn't always happen. The only manifestation of reflux disease may be halitosis. Sometimes it is accompanied by signs of chronic inflammation of the pharynx and larynx - pain when swallowing, hoarseness, the need to cough up mucus accumulated in the throat. After treatment for reflux disease, the odor problem was resolved and our patient was able to rid his home of medical equipment. Fortunately, now more and more ENT doctors are able to diagnose reflux pharyngitis and laryngitis and refer such patients to a gastroenterologist.

We maintain hygiene

As we can see, the cause of odor is almost always anaerobic bacteria in the mouth and throat, but the conditions for them are created by diseases not only of the oral cavity, but also of the nose, sinuses, pharynx, esophagus and stomach.

However, the basis of the fight against halitosis, regardless of its origin, is oral hygiene. Clean your tongue and especially its root every day, carefully treat the interdental spaces with floss, keep your removable dentures clean - and you will be happy.

Foods with odors can cause bad breath. Halitosis is the medical term for bad breath. Treatment for halitosis will depend on what is causing the bad breath. Treatment for bad breath is very simple. If bad breath persists, you should consult a doctor to determine the causes of bad breath and treatment. And treatment is necessary if the bad breath is constant and if you cannot determine the cause of this bad breath, consult a doctor to identify the cause of the bad breath and treatment. Smell from the mouth. Methods of treatment with folk remedies. The causes of bad breath can be divided into two groups: those associated with diseases of the oral cavity or those associated with diseases of the internal organs. Let us consider below not only all the possible causes of bad breath, but also methods of treating it.

Bad breath - causes and treatment

Bad breath can destroy any image, even a well-formed one. With the help of advice from professional doctors, we will help you, at a minimum, not attract the attention of others with your breathing.
Halitosis- a medical term for unpleasant odor from the mouth.
Morning bad breath is a purely physiological phenomenon and can be eliminated with an ordinary toothbrush. Additionally, certain foods such as garlic, onions or cabbage can also cause bad breath. All these manifestations relate to physiological odor from the mouth (halitosis (bad breath)). Eat less of these smelly foods.
However, more than a quarter of the entire world's population suffers from pathological halitosis (bad breath) (bad breath). In this case, neither tons of chewing gum, nor mountains of mint candies, nor newfangled mouth sprays help - the smell still remains unpleasant.

Bad breath can also be caused by advanced caries. A large number of anaerobic bacteria and food debris accumulate in carious cavities. These cavities are difficult to clean using conventional hygiene products, which makes the disease highly resistant. The same applies to periodontitis - microbes actively multiply under the gums, causing a sulfurous odor. In this case, even the blood and purulent inflammatory exudate located in the gum pockets smell unpleasant.

Wearing dentures can also lead to halitosis - firstly, the smell will be absorbed by the polymer base of the denture, and secondly, pieces of food can remain under the dentures and decompose there, emitting “odors”.

Another cause of halitosis is decreased saliva secretion and dry mouth syndrome. When saliva is not released quickly enough and in small quantities, the natural cleaning of the oral cavity from food debris is disrupted, favorable conditions are created for the proliferation of microorganisms, and local immunity is reduced.

Common causes of halitosis include mainly chronic diseases associated with the gastrointestinal tract, ENT diseases, metabolic disorders, hormonal disorders, etc. For example, in women, bad breath may appear during the onset of the menstrual cycle, which associated with increased estrogen levels. These hormones promote increased desquamation of the epithelium, including on the oral mucosa, and this is a favorite breeding ground for anaerobic microorganisms.

In many cases, halitosis should make the patient check his health - the smell also signals a more serious illness. Thus, in approximately 8% of cases, the cause of halitosis is pathology of the ENT organs. Chronic sinusitis, rhinitis, tonsillitis, nasal polyps often make themselves felt with an unpleasant odor.

Many people know that a consequence of diabetes mellitus is often the smell of acetone released when breathing. Dysfunction of the liver and gall bladder is also accompanied by a “pungent” heavy odor, and kidney failure is accompanied by a putrid “fishy” odor. So, before you run to the pharmacy for a new toothbrush and advertised toothpaste that kills germs outright, go to the doctor.

Food is also of great importance. For example, garlic and raw onions contain substances that belong to the group of sulfur compounds. They are able to be absorbed into the blood and then released through the lungs during breathing.

Alcohol, nicotine, coffee and some medications (antibiotics and sulfonamides, antidepressants, antihistamines and anti-inflammatory drugs) cause dry mouth and, as a result, lead to an unpleasant odor.

Stress, nervous tension, or excessive dieting and fasting also lead to halitosis. During fasting, a deficiency in the intake of proteins and fats is created in the body, and the utilization of endogenous reserves begins, which can also cause an unpleasant odor. It appears during a stressful situation and disappears after the cessation of emotional stress. Among the causes are impaired salivation and dry mouth.

Nowadays medicine uses effective methods for diagnosing halitosis. You can evaluate the intensity of an unpleasant odor using a special device - a halimeter. It is not only useful for diagnosis, but also allows you to evaluate how well the treatment is progressing.

To identify bacteria that cause halitosis, some dentists use microbiological tests, for example, analyzing the composition of dental plaque. Using a mirror, the back of the tongue is examined - it should be the same color as the oral mucosa. White, cream or brown color indicates glossitis. The condition of the patient’s teeth is also assessed for the quality of hygiene.

A consultation with an ENT doctor (for the presence of sinusitis and polyps) and a gastroenterologist is also necessary - he must exclude systemic diseases such as diabetes, liver and kidney failure.

Treatment for halitosis will depend on what caused the disease. If these are advanced ENT diseases, then you will have to undergo treatment from an otolaryngologist. Other chronic diseases require consultation and treatment from appropriate specialists.

If the cause of the unpleasant odor lies in the oral cavity, then it is necessary to eliminate foci of infection, remove decayed teeth that cannot be restored, and undergo a course of professional oral hygiene with the removal of supragingival and subgingival dental plaque.

Any odor is a volatile compound. This problem is solved in different ways. People often try to mask the odor with mouthwash or chewing gum. But few people know that the effect of chewing gum is temporary and they have a detrimental effect on the gastrointestinal tract. As for rinses, they kill the natural flora of the oral cavity, and this can only increase the unpleasant odor. Today, CB12 anti-bad breath is the only product that completely neutralizes volatile compounds rather than masking them. With daily use of the product, fresh breath will become your constant companion. Unlike other rinses, it retains its effect for 12 hours, acts directly on the cause of the odor, without disturbing the normal flora in the mouth.

Compliance with hygiene rules is of great importance: teeth should be brushed using a toothbrush and floss (dental floss) to remove plaque and food debris from the teeth. And cleaning your tongue should become a mandatory daily procedure. This not only helps eliminate odor, but also reduces the total number of bacteria in the oral cavity, which has a beneficial effect on the health of periodontal tissue. If periodontitis has already been diagnosed, it is worth starting to use special oral irrigators to more effectively remove infected masses and food debris from the periodontal pockets. In addition, these irrigators will help get rid of dry mouth.

Don’t forget about proper nutrition: an excess of fast carbohydrates (sugar and processed foods) increases the amount of plaque on the teeth and leads to caries. Eat more fiber. Fresh greens, vegetables and fruits will help normalize intestinal function and reduce bad breath.

Checking your breathing

In order to determine the freshness of your breath, just bring your palm to your face in such a way as to simultaneously cover your mouth and nose. After this, exhale deeply through your mouth. Did you smell it? If you can’t clearly determine what and how much it smells, buy a disposable mask at the pharmacy and breathe into it for a minute. The smell under the mask will exactly match the smell that others smell from you during communication.

Today, specialized breath indicators are produced that can determine the level of freshness on a five-point scale. The manufacturers of this device claim that its use is a sign of good manners. In fact, it is easier to talk about the smell with your loved ones, ideally with your child, because children are less diplomatic in these matters and will tell the whole truth.

In medical institutions they use a more complex device - a gas analyzer. With its help, you can determine the chemical composition of the air that is exhaled and, based on the analysis, determine the causes of the bad odor.

Why is my breath bad?

The main causes of halitosis (bad breath) are:
- insufficient level of hygiene;
- diseases of teeth and gums;
- xerostomia - insufficient level of hydration of the oral mucosa;
- inflammatory processes in the oral cavity.

In these cases, the cause of the foul odor is bacteria accumulated in the mouth and residual food fragments. It is almost impossible to combat these phenomena at home. Such halitosis (bad breath) can only be cured in dental clinics.

But it is necessary to take into account that halitosis (bad breath) can be caused not only by diseases of the oral cavity.

In one case out of ten, the causes of odor are:
- ENT diseases: sore throats, sinusitis, runny nose;
- diseases of the intestines and stomach;
- lung diseases;
- endocrine system disorders;
- all kinds of diets;
- some medicines;
- smoking.

What does illness smell like?

The hydrogen sulfide smell is the smell of rotten eggs. The cause of the smell is the process of rotting protein substances. If the smell is accompanied by pain in the abdominal area after eating, belching and nausea, then it can be caused by gastritis with low acidity, peptic ulcer, diverticulosis of the stomach or esophagus, etc.

Very often, such an unpleasant odor can occur after a banal “holiday” overeating. In such cases, you can get rid of it with the help of absorbent substances (activated carbon, Smecta), as well as enzyme-based drugs (Festal, Pancreatin, Mezim, etc.).

A sour smell and taste in the mouth can be caused by: gastritis with high acidity, gastrointestinal ulcers, esophageal diseases.

The smell and taste of bitterness is a manifestation of diseases of the gallbladder and liver; this can also be indicated by a yellow coating on the tongue.

The smell of feces from the mouth can occur with dysbacteriosis, intestinal motor neuroses (dyskinesia) and intestinal obstruction.

The acetone smell with a sweet aftertaste can cause pancreatic diseases and diabetes.

The smell of urine from the mouth indicates kidney disease.

Treatment of bad breath (halitosis - bad breath)

First of all, try adding a tongue cleansing procedure to your daily twice-daily brushing of your teeth. It is better to do this in the evening using an ordinary teaspoon. Using light, gentle movements from root to tip, clean your tongue of daytime plaque. The procedure is not very pleasant, but effective.

Cleaning your tongue will rid you of bacteria, the population of which could increase significantly overnight in a favorable oral environment. Believe me, thanks to this evening procedure, your breath will be much fresher the next morning.

Clean the spaces between your teeth using a special floss. If you don’t have this tool at hand, use the old-fashioned method: tear off a strip of pure polyethylene, stretch it into a thread and remove food debris and plaque from the interdental space.
- After eating, be sure to rinse your mouth. You should not use tea for this purpose; it darkens tooth enamel.

Making your own mouth rinses

1. A tablespoon of mint, chamomile, sage or strawberry is poured into a glass of boiling water. After cooling, the broth is filtered. Use for rinsing after meals 3-4 times a day.
2. A tablespoon of oak bark is poured into 200 ml of boiling water and heated in a water bath for up to 30 minutes. Strain after cooling and rinse your mouth and throat. Oak bark has a strengthening effect on the gums and clears plaque from the tonsils, which can serve as sources of bad breath due to a large accumulation of infectious components.

An irrigator provides more effective cleaning of the oral cavity at home. This is a toothbrush-type tool that cleans the spaces between teeth using a strong jet of water, which massages the surface of the gums and activates blood circulation.

Choosing a toothpaste for bad breath
If you have halitosis (bad breath), you should choose a toothpaste that does not contain alcohol. Alcohol dries out the oral mucosa, which intensifies the odor.

In addition, pay attention to pastes that contain antibacterial agents based on chlorine compounds.

When choosing a rinse aid, the same principles are used as when choosing a toothpaste. In addition, modern mouthwashes may contain components (zinc- and choloro-containing) that reduce the activity of halitosis (bad breath) due to chemical reactions.

Quick effect of fresh breath
There are a large number of modern means of quickly getting rid of bad breath: aerosol fresheners, chewing gum, lollipops, etc. They are distinguished by both rapid efficiency and low stability due to their short duration of action.

What to do when they are not at hand at the right time?

First of all, try drinking a cup of strong tea, then rinse your mouth and throat with clean water.

Apples and carrots will help get rid of the smell. The aroma of onions or garlic can be neutralized with parsley or celery root.

Chewing coffee beans can reduce the unpleasant smell and taste in your mouth.

People who have to talk a lot during the day often have bad breath. This is due to drying of the oral mucosa due to a decrease in the amount of saliva.

Saliva is a natural means of cleaning the oral cavity. Saliva contains the antibacterial enzyme lysozyme, which ensures the destruction of bacterial cells. In addition, saliva ensures the dissolution of food debris and toxins released by bacteria. Lack of saliva is one of the main reasons for increased bad breath.

In such situations, you should simply drink more often. A small amount of liquid will protect your mouth from drying out, remove an unpleasant taste and freshen your breath.

Include oatmeal porridge in your morning diet; this product significantly activates saliva production.

If there is no toothbrush nearby, you can wipe your teeth, gums and tongue with your finger. Thus, you will not only get rid of the unpleasant odor, but also massage your gums.

Use walnut pulp to rub your gums. In this way, you can provide the oral cavity with the necessary vitamins and freshen your breath with a pleasant nutty taste.

You need to understand that bad breath is a problem that interferes with your normal life. Halitosis (bad breath) is a direct threat not only to personal self-esteem, but also to a person’s social status. Communication, attractiveness and sexuality can be ruined in an instant by repulsive bad breath.

Halitosis (bad breath) is a problem that requires mandatory solutions. At the same time, we should not go to extremes; traditional methods of hygiene procedures are familiar to us from childhood, and they should not be neglected.

If the odor remains, even after daily oral hygiene, you need to contact your dentist. Nine times out of ten, your problem will be resolved within a few visits. If your mouth and teeth turn out to be healthy, and the smell continues to bother you, then you will have to look for the reasons inside the body.

Start visiting doctors with an ENT specialist. Diseases of the nose, throat and ear most often provoke problems with fresh breath. If no complaints are found from these authorities, then it’s time to visit a therapist. It is possible that the cause of the unpleasant odor is an exacerbation of a disease that has become chronic and to which you have long been accustomed.