Nobody likes bad breath. We don’t like speaking with or being close to someone who has it, and we hope that we don’t have it. So why do people have it?
There are a number of causes. Knowing the reason will help prevent it and will permit treatment if it already exists. Bad breath can come from three parts of our body: the mouth, the lungs, and the stomach.
Problems arising from the lungs and the stomach are best managed in consultation with your physician although, often, it is entirely under your control. Our diet can cause bad breath. Garlic and spicy foods are a common cause. If they are, avoiding them can solve the problem. Eating yogurt in the morning can help as can eating frequent, small meals since sometimes, an empty stomach can be the culprit, especially if you have Reflux or GERD.
Certain metabolic conditions can cause bad breath like diabetes. The same is true for diets that severely restrict carbohydrates (like Atkins). Stomach ulcers are another common cause. Today ulcers are frequently managed with antibiotics.
As far as the lungs are concerned, cigarette smoking is a common cause. The best solution is clearly to stop smoking (but this can be challenging). If you are ready to quit, your dentist, as well as your physician, can help. There are other diseases of the lungs that can cause bad breath.
With all problems stemming from the stomach and the lungs, your physician should be consulted if other simple and obvious remedies don’t resolve the problem.
Finally, there is the mouth, which is probably the most common place where bad breath originates. Oral bacteria and food trapped between the teeth can work together to cause bad breath. Fortunately, the solution to this problem is relatively simple and low cost – no medications are necessary – but it does take a little time and effort. It means brushing and flossing all teeth slowly and carefully every day. Brushing alone is not enough because the toothbrush, even electric brushes, don’t reach all the way between the teeth. The only thing that does is floss or, if you have enough space, an interproximal brush. Also, professional cleanings, two to six times a year, will help to remove the plaque and tartar that builds up even with conscientious oral hygiene. The correct interval should be determined in consultation with your dentist.
To help prevent bad breath it is very important to clean the top of your tongue, either with a brush or a tongue scraper, since most of the bacteria that cause bad breath in the mouth live on the top of the tongue. Just as important is to brush the roof of the mouth since bacteria are transferred between the roof of the mouth and the top of the tongue every time you swallow. Most often, cleaning the mouth properly, treating existing gingivitis and periodontal disease, regular professional cleanings and watching your diet will prevent bad breath from developing.