Bad breath is definitely one of those few things that can be an instant cause of irritation and turn off. You yourself do not feel good and confident enough when you know that your breath is foul-smelling. Almost 25 to 30 percent of the world’s population suffers from bad breath.

This condition wherein a foul or a bad odor comes out of your mouth is known as Halitosis. Common irresponsible behaviour medical problems like poor dental hygiene, dental cavities, gum diseases, etc. can lead to bad breath. Throat infections, or ulcers, and even malnutrition or uncontrolled diabetes can be the reason behind your bad breath. Intake of some food items like garlic, coffee, onions, alcohol, etc. can also cause bad breath, but temporarily. 

Causes of Bad Breath

We have already told you in short what all can cause bad breath, let us now discuss it in a little detail. Given below are some common conditions or things that can cause bad breath in most people.

Food

As we already told you, some food particles tend to get stuck between your teeth, inviting bacteria, thus leading to bad breath. Food products like onion and garlic, after digestion, breakdown products carried to the lungs via blood. This can also cause bad breath.

Tobacco

Tobacco products have an unusual odor of their own. Additionally, they also increase the risk of contracting gum diseases which can cause bad breath.

Diseases

Some medical conditions and diseases like liver failure, cancer, gastroesophageal reflux, etc. can also be the reason behind bad breath in some people.

Dental hygiene

Not maintaining proper dental hygiene is the leading cause of bad breath in people. Most of us, being in a hurry always, fail to give our mouth the proper cleansing the time it needs. Brushing the entire mouth properly, along with flossing and cleaning the tongue are must-to-do habits that you must adopt.

Foreign body

Any type of foreign body present in your nasal cavity can also be one reason for bad breath. This is quite common in children.

How to Get Rid of Bad Breath?

We are here to give you out some ways to deal with this problem. So, let’s see some easy ways with how you can fight bad breath. Have a look.

1. Brush and floss regularly

You eat and drink so many things in a day. Some of them are sticky enough that their shreds get caught between your teeth. These are very prone to invite bacteria on your teeth, which can lead to bad breath. Brushing your teeth twice, and flossing them at least once a day must be a part of your routine.

However, do not brush your teeth very harshly. This can make them wear down, and hence, more vulnerable to decay. 

2. Scrape your tongue

Eating a lot of food items might develop a layer or a coating on your tongue, and this can also very well attract a lot of bacteria. To get rid of this layer, you can use your regular toothbrush or even a tongue scraper. A tongue scraper is a better option since it is made specifically for that purpose. It will help remove any leftover food items or bacteria from the surface of your tongue and prevent bad breath.

3. Don’t let your mouth remain dry for long

When your mouth is dry for a long time, that can also cause bad breath. For this, begin with drinking an adequate amount of water. Items like tobacco and alcohol also dehydrate your mouth, so refrain from their heavy intake as well. A piece of sugarless chewing gum or sugar-free candy can also help keep your mouth from drying out. 

4. Mouthwash

Using mouthwash to deal with bad breath seems to be a good idea since it kills the bacteria in your mouth which helps get rid of bad breath. However, it must be noted that it does not treat the underlying cause of it in your body. 

5. Regular dental checkups and cleanings

So many things go into our mouths daily. We never know which of them might cause a problem inside our mouth, which makes it necessary to have regular dental checkups and cleanings. Especially, if you feel like there’s some problem with your teeth or gum, you must definitely visit your dentist.

Some DIY Remedies for Bad Breath

Listed below are a few remedies that you can try yourself at your home, which will help you get rid of bad breath. So, have a look. Trust us, they are easily available and quite effective in a lot of cases.

1. Saltwater rinse

If you have a grandparent or some elder in your home, there are good chances they would have told you to rinse your mouth with saltwater whenever you had any dental issue. Well, it works. All you need to do is add some amount of salt to some warm water, mix it, and rinse your mouth with the solution. 

2. Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar works as a natural mouthwash and keeps you away from bad odor. Add some vinegar to a glass of water, swish it for some time around your mouth and rinse. Do not believe us? Try it out yourself.

3. Cloves

Cloves help to fight cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth, and hence, get rid of bad breath. You just have to suck a few cloves every day. However, do not use clove oil or powdered cloves since they can be too strong to be taken directly. 

This is all about bad breath aka Halitosis. We hope this small guide helps to understand the causes and tips for its prevention. Find out what’s the reason behind your bad breath, and begin working on it. with the right steps for hygiene, we are sure you wouldn’t have to suffer from bad breath unless there’s some medical problem involved. And if there is, you need to visit your dentist as soon as possible. Do not ignore if the problem persists even after following proper dental hygiene and doing all things right by you.

We hope this helps you understand and treat your problem well. 

Also Read: How To Treat Bad Breath At Home