Mouth Odour (Bad Breath) Halitosis

Mouth odour (bad breath) is common and affects everyone from time to time.

It could be temporary which means when you brush your teeth and or use a mouth wash it disappears. It could also be a long term problem especially if there is a health problem causing it.

What causes Mouth odour?

    Poor mouth hygiene. When small food particles in the mouth or trapped in the teeth decay as bacteria act on them, they produce the unpleasant smell in your mouth or breath. Problems with your teeth or gums such as holes or infection in your teeth, gum diseases and plaques deposits on the teeth also cause mouth odour. And also If you wear dentures and not wash them every night

     Smoking. Causes mouth odour (bad breath) and even worse when it dries up saliva that naturally washes the mouth.

     Strong -smelling food and beverages. Foods and drinks with strong smell or spicy causes mouth odour.

      Dry mouth. Saliva washes the mouth. If your sleep with your mouth open, certain medicines, or medical conditions that stop salivary glands from producing saliva could dry the mouth and cause mouth odour (bad breath).

     Diseases. Mouth odour (bad breath) could be caused by some diseases in the nose like a sinus infection or in the mouth like tonsilitis. Tonsillar stones – small, hardened deposits in the tonsils where bacteria collects can cause mouth odour. Chronic lung diseases could also cause mouth odour (bad breath). Other conditions like acid reflux – backflow of digested food into the food pipe, diabetes, kidney, or liver disease can cause mouth odour (bad breath).

How can you prevent mouth odour (bad breath)?

• Brush your teeth and tongue for at least two minutes, two or more times a day. Brush your tongue using a tongue scraper or cleaner which helps remove bacteria. A great deal of mouth odour comes from your tongue.
• Floss daily cleaning between the teeth.
• Regular drinks especially water help keep the mouth moist, washes away food particles and bacteria
• Use chewing gum or mints after having strong-smelling food and drinks. Chewing gum increases saliva production that washes the mouth.
• Clean your dentures daily and remove them at night.
• Stop smoking.

If the mouth odour (bad breath) does not go away after treating it yourself, see your dentist.