If you suffer from bad breath, you’re not alone. Medically known as halitosis, bad breath affects 50% of adults at some point in their lives.¹ It’s a very common, yet treatable, condition.

Common causes:

Dental hygiene

Brushing twice a day and flossing daily ensure the removal of small food particles that can build up and cause odor-producing bacteria to grow. When those particles are not removed, a colorless, sticky film of bacteria, or plaque, forms to your teeth. And, it’s not just the bacteria on your teeth that cause bad breath. Your tongue can also trap bacteria and create an odor.

Gum disease

Bad breath can be an indicator of advanced gum disease, which is a buildup of sticky, cavity-causing plaque.

Dry mouth

Saliva is important, because it naturally cleanses your mouth, removing food particles that cause bad odors. If you don’t produce enough saliva, your mouth isn’t able to wash out the odor-causing bacteria.

Food

The list of breath-offending foods is long, including garlic, onions, coffee and certain spices. What you eat affects the air you exhale.

Tobacco

Tobacco products cause their own types of mouth odor. Additionally, they increase the chances of gum disease, which can also cause bad breath.

Prevention methods

While bad breath can be embarrassing, there are many simple solutions you can incorporate into your daily oral health routine.

• Brush your teeth and sides of your mouth at least twice a day and floss daily to help remove food debris. A tongue scraper can also be useful to gently remove any bacteria or food buildup.
• Snack on celery, carrots or apples to help cleanse your mouth while chewing.
• Drink plenty of water daily to avoid dry mouth. You can also chew sugarless gum to help stimulate saliva production.
• Adjust your diet, eating onions, garlic and spicy foods only in moderation, and reduce your coffee and alcohol consumption.
• Avoid smoking and other tobacco-based products.
• Change your toothbrush when it becomes frayed. This occurs about every 3 to 4 months.
• If you wear dentures, be sure to remove them before you go to bed, and thoroughly clean them between uses.
• Visit your dentist regularly – generally twice a year.

If your bad breath persists, see your dentist. Your dentist will be able to help you identify any potential oral health problems, provide you with a recommended treatment plan or refer you to another specialist

¹ https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/b/bad-breath”>https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/b/bad-breath