What is bad breath?

Bad breath is an oral health problem where the main symptom is foul-smelling breath. In most cases, finding the cause of bad breath is the first step in treating this preventable condition.

What causes bad breath?

Just as there are many sources of bacteria in the mouth, there are also many causes of bad breath. Bad breath can be caused by the following:

• Certain foods What you eat is linked to your oral health, including your breath. Foods such as garlic and onions or any food enter the bloodstream. That food has the potential to affect your breath until it is eliminated from the body.
• Poor oral health care: Without proper and regular brushing, flossing and routine dental examinations, food stays in the mouth. This is a breeding ground for bacteria. Food that accumulates on the teeth, gums and tongue can decay. This causes an unpleasant odor and taste in the mouth.
• Improper cleaning of dentures: Dentures that are not cleaned properly can collect bacteria, fungi and food debris that cause bad breath.
• Bacteria that cause odor on the tongue: Some bacteria on the back of the tongue can interact with amino acids in food and produce odorous sulfur compounds.
• Periodontal disease: One of the main symptoms of this gum disease is foul-smelling breath and an unpleasant taste in the mouth. This condition needs urgent care by an oral health professional.
• Dry mouth (xerostomia): This is often an important part of bad breath. When there is a big reduction in saliva production, the mouth is unable to clean itself and remove the residues and particles left behind by food. Dry mouth can be caused by certain medications, a salivary gland disorder or breathing through the mouth instead of always through the nose.
• Tütün ürünleri: Sigara, puro, dumansız tütün ve enfiye gibi tütün ürünleri dişleri lekeleyerek vücudu birçok hastalık için risk altına sokar. Ama aynı zamanda ağız kokusuna da sebep olurlar. Tütün kullanıcıları ayrıca aşağıdakiler için daha yüksek risk altındadır:
  • Periodontal disease
  • Loss of taste buds
  • Irritated gums
  • Mouth cancer
• Bir sağlık durumu: Ağız kokusu aşağıdaki durumlardan herhangi birinin belirtisi olabilir.
  • Infection of the nose, windpipe or lungs
  • Chronic bronchitis
  • Nasal discharge
  • Chronic sinusitis
  • Respiratory tract infection
  • Diabetes
  • Gastrointestinal disorder
  • Liver or kidney impairment

How can I prevent bad breath?

Bad breath can be prevented or reduced in the following cases:

• Brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day.
• Brush your tongue, cheeks and palate. Most bad breath bacteria live on the tongue. So brushing or scraping the tongue can make a big difference to your breath.
• If you have dentures, remove them at night and clean them thoroughly before putting them back in your mouth. Talk to your dentist before using deodorizing sprays or tablets.
• If you smoke, quit. You will have better smelling breath and an overall healthier body.
• Keep your saliva flowing by eating healthy foods that help you chew. Carrots and apples require a lot of saliva. You can also chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free candies. If you still don’t have enough saliva to keep your mouth moist, contact your dentist.
• Visit your dentist regularly. Regular check-ups detect problems such as gum disease, infections and dry mouth.

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