Have you ever kept quiet out of politeness that the person you’re talking to has bad breath? For most people, bad breath is unpleasant and considered an absolute taboo subject. But what really helps against bad breath (the technical term is halitosis), and what are the causes behind it? We have all the answers and valuable tips for dealing with bad breath!
According to the Bavarian State Dental Association (BLZK), statistically, one in four people in Germany suffers from bad breath. Dentists differentiate between bad breath and halitosis. If you eat garlic or onions, the bad breath will disappear after a while. Bad breath, on the other hand, occurs more frequently and should definitely be treated by an expert because severe halitosis can have serious causes and consequences.
Bad breath causes
Why do we have bad breath in the first place and what are the most common causes? In fact, many people believe that bad breath comes from the stomach. This is a misconception, because in about 90 percent of cases halitosis occurs in the mouth or throat. It is rare for bad breath to be caused by diseases such as intestinal obstruction or gastritis.
Most of the time, bad breath is caused by bacteria found between the teeth, in deep gum pockets, or in the depressions on the surface of the tongue. When the bacteria break down saliva or food residue, volatile sulfur compounds are formed, which causes typical bad breath. In addition to inadequate oral hygiene, certain medications and stress are also considered risk factors for bad breath. If you are constantly on edge, you not only weaken your immune system but also affect your dental health and, as a result, your saliva flow. A mouth that is too dry causes bad breath. That is why it is completely normal to have bad breath when you wake up in the morning, as there is less saliva in your mouth overnight.
Can you test for bad breath?
Halitosis is usually caused by bacteria in the mouth that break down food residue and saliva. The resulting sulphur gases, which smell unpleasant, can actually be measured. So-called halimeters can measure the amount of sulphur in the breath and indicate whether or not you suffer from bad breath.
If you don’t want to go to the doctor, you can test your breath using these two self-tests:
Licking test: Run your tongue over your wrist and let the saliva dry. This makes it easy to sniff out the sulfur compounds.
Swab test: Use a cotton swab to remove some of the plaque from the back of the tongue. After about 30 seconds, smell the cotton swab and check whether you can smell the unpleasant sulfur compounds.
What can you do about bad breath?
The good news is that bad breath is easy to treat. The best rule against halitosis is to drink lots of water! The reason for this is the flow of saliva, as it not only serves to neutralize the oral cavity but also has an antibacterial effect and ensures that the mucous membranes do not dry out. Citrus fruits, raw vegetables, and chewing sugar-free gum also lead to increased saliva production.