It seems that Americans take bad breath very seriously – after all, we spend about two billion dollars every year buying products to mask that stench.
The social consequences of halitosis, the fancy term for foul breath, are frequently disregarded, although they may be debilitating. In one survey, 34% of participants reported having terrible breath made them reluctant to even initiate conversation with others; another 12.6% said they avoided social situations altogether. Try dating while under such stress.
People might not be aware that 50% of adults experience chronic foul breath, even if they don’t have severe halitosis (the kind that you can occasionally smell on someone before you ever see them).
What causes bad breath in us? What can we do, most critically, to get rid of it? You might be shocked to learn that some of the standard go-to remedies might really be worsening your breath.
Why can germs generate bad breath?
Although we may mistakenly believe that odorous foods are frequently to blame, 90 to 95 percent of foul breath is actually brought on by germs that already reside in our mouths. It’s bad news when bacteria and protein-containing particles interact.”Germs plus protein equal bad breath. Those germs produce an unpleasant sulphur gas that has a rotten egg-like odour when they metabolise.”
Ever consider the cause of our morning breath? One explanation is that, We produce less saliva while we sleep than when we are awake. Saliva serves as a buffer to dislodge and neutralise microorganisms. When we have less of it, our mouths become dry and more acidic, which allows bacteria to produce noxious fumes.
Even your coffee breath, which is not caused by the coffee itself, can be attributed to those gases. Remember those advertisements when people grin as soon as they wake up because of the aroma of coffee brewing? That revolting odour is actually caused by the sulphur fumes that react with the coffee in your mouth.
However, some foods like garlic, onions, and other pungent foods do cause an unpleasant odour. In fact, when the pungent-smelling sulphur molecules in garlic are broken down, they create a substance called methyl sulphide that is indigestible. Instead, it is eliminated through the skin and lungs after travelling through the circulation. Your skin will undoubtedly smell like garlic. Nobody is sure why, but some people may be able to tolerate this odour for days.
After your workout might not be the best moment to chat with the cute gym employee. Exercise causes you to huff and puff a lot, which dries out your mouth and can actually lead to bad breath. You can have bad breath if your mouth is not moisturised. Xerostomia is the medical term for having a dry mouth on a regular basis. Dry mouth and foul breath are common adverse effects of numerous medications, including antidepressants, anxiety medications, and even allergy medications like antihistamines.
Bad breath is also more common in those who have specific diseases, such as diabetes, liver, or renal illness. The odour is caused by the accumulation of wastes in the blood, which also causes a metallic taste in the mouth. Food that has been regurgitated into the oesophagus due to conditions like acid reflux, which in some people may not even be symptomatic, interacts with bacteria and other enzymes to produce bad breath.
Bad breath is generally believed to be caused by a number of factors. Actually, there isn’t a steady flow of air between your stomach and mouth unless you have a medical issue.
Prevention of bad breath
Despite popular belief, your mouthwash may contain alcohol, which could make your breath worse. Mouthwashes with alcohol “mask breath for a very brief period of time, but [the alcohol] severely dries out your mouth,” according to Dr. Jablow.
Furthermore, The Australian Dental Journal came to the conclusion that there is enough data to support the claim that mouthwashes containing alcohol raise your risk of acquiring oral cancer, a condition that claims the lives of about 8,000 Americans each year.
According to Dr. Cohen, those mouthwashes that proclaim to kill practically all bacteria also fail to mention that bacteria can quickly repopulate (within 30 to 60 minutes, based on most estimates) and result in just as terrible “rebound” bad breath. In fact, the Better Business Bureau came to the conclusion in 2008 that mouthwash cannot make the promise that it gives you fresh breath for more than an hour. The only exception, according to their claims, is, an alcohol-free mouthwash that disrupts the sulphur-producing process and kills germs to prevent bad breath for up to 12 hours.
If you use the rinse in the morning and before night, according to Dr. Cohen, who is also the CEO and co-founder of Triumph Pharmaceuticals, maker of SmartMouth, “you’ll literally wake up with a fresh breath.” Mouthwashes like SmartMouth and CloSYS, another dental professional favourite, truly tackle the root of the issue by getting rid of harmful gases right away while also eradicating bacteria.
Dr. Jablow also advises using clear rinses rather than blue-tinted ones (“I don’t like coloration because it can slightly stain the teeth”), such as Crest Pro-Health Multi-Protection Rinse in Clear Mint. After a smelly dinner, chewing fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, and rosemary also helps prevent unpleasant odours. The chlorophyll in the leaves not only gives them a more pleasant scent, but it also works to mask unpleasant odours. Additionally, you can increase your water intake to maintain fresh breath.
Unexpectedly, since dairy products help neutralise acidity, eating cheeses like mozzarella can even help avoid foul breath.Another remedy for foul breath is xylitol, which Dr. Jablow lists it as one of his favourites for preventing dry mouth. It’s a sugar alternative that promotes saliva flow and is present in many gums and dental products. Trey Spryor gums or IntelliWhiTe ProWHiTe toothpaste.
Of course, keep in mind the fundamentals of good oral hygiene: brushing and flossing twice daily, visiting the dentist twice a year to eliminate plaque buildup, etc. All of these actions help prevent germs from gathering behind your gum line, which causes foul breath.
