Frequently Asked Questions about Breath Odor

What foods and medical conditions cause bad breath, and how to have fresh breath are common questions for many people.

Bad breath doesn't affect aesthetics, but it causes many people anxiety and self-consciousness when communicating. Below are answers to frequently asked questions about this condition.

How does food affect breath?

Garlic, onions, spicy foods, and sweets can leave a strong odor after eating. Coffee and alcohol also cause dry mouth, leading to bad breath. After consuming these foods, you can chew mints, brush your teeth, rinse your mouth, or drink water.

Why do bad habits cause bad breath?

Poor oral hygiene irritates the gums, causes inflammation, and creates a breeding ground for odor-causing bacteria. Brushing twice a day, rinsing your mouth, and flossing after every meal helps remove food particles and plaque.

Smoking causes bad breath by reducing saliva production, leading to dry mouth. Chemicals also stick to teeth, gums, and other soft tissues in the mouth, causing bad breath. The remedies include brushing, rinsing, chewing gum, and most importantly, quitting smoking.

People with bad breath often feel self-conscious when interacting with others. (Image: Freepik) — Bad breath can cause feelings of insecurity when interacting with others. (Image: *Freepik)*

What medical conditions cause bad breath?

Brushing your teeth prevents bacteria from food particles from getting stuck on your teeth and gums from growing. However, brushing doesn't always solve bad breath. This condition can be caused by various underlying medical issues.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD ): This digestive disorder causes stomach contents to reflux into the esophagus, resulting in bad breath. Patients often experience heartburn and a sour or bitter taste in their mouth.

Tooth decay : Bacteria that cause bad breath hide in cavities in teeth, making them difficult to eliminate.

Dry mouth : Salivary glands don't produce enough saliva, causing dry mouth. This allows bacteria to accumulate on teeth, leading to bad breath and increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease.

Liver disease: In some cases, people with liver disease notice a fruity smell in their breath. Other symptoms include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), kidney failure, loss of appetite, easy bruising, spider veins on the skin, fatigue, and weight loss.

Hyperglycemia: Accumulation of ketones in the blood can occur with hyperglycemia, leading to fruity-smelling breath. Very high blood sugar levels, dehydration, lethargy, and loss of consciousness are also symptoms of hyperglycemia.

How can I reduce bad breath?

Brushing your teeth : Brush your teeth twice a day after meals, using fluoride toothpaste, which has antibacterial properties to reduce bad breath.

Mouthwash : Maintain this habit regularly after brushing your teeth to clean deep crevices in the oral cavity and keep your breath fresh. Mouthwash also reduces pain and aids in the treatment of mouth ulcers.

Eat plenty of fruit : Pineapple, rich in vitamin C, helps reduce the risk of gingivitis. Eating cucumbers stimulates saliva production, cleaning the mouth and eliminating bad breath. Drink enough water to increase saliva production, keeping the mouth clean and preventing odor-causing bacteria.

Chewing gum : Stimulates saliva production, which can reduce plaque buildup that causes cavities and bad breath.

Le Nguyen (According to WebMD )

Readers can ask questions about respiratory illnesses here for doctors to answer.

Source link