When we talk about bad breath or halitosis, we mean an unpleasant smell that comes from the mouth or nose when breathing out. It can have an oral or external origin and cause insecurity, embarrassment and other psychological effects in people who suffer from it and can’t hide it.
Types of halitosis
- Temporary. This is occasional bad breath that appears just after waking up. It is caused by reduced saliva flow during sleep and by going many hours without eating. Foods such as onion or garlic can also cause it temporarily.
- Persistent. This is bad breath that doesn’t go away with normal oral hygiene and needs specific treatment depending on the diagnosis. It can be oral or extra-oral.
Persistent halitosis is hard to prevent, but the temporary kind can be avoided.
Tips to prevent bad breath
Bad habits are usually what cause this problem. So here are some tips to prevent it:
- Avoid low-calorie or high-protein diets and fatty meals.
- Avoid strong-flavoured food and pungent spices.
- Eat meals every 4 hours.
- Avoid coffee, tobacco and alcohol, as they reduce saliva and therefore encourage the release of foul-smelling gases.
- Avoid breathing through your mouth.
- Drink plenty of water to prevent dry mouth, which encourages bacteria to build up.
- Use breath sprays or chewing gum, which are handy in a pinch because they are easy to carry and work instantly. They don’t get rid of bad breath, but they can help you avoid awkward moments.
- Brush your teeth after every meal, keep your tongue clean and use dental floss. Studies confirm that people who don’t use a tongue cleaner or floss have worse breath than those who do.
Other natural remedies
Natural remedies don’t work for everyone, and an individual diagnosis is needed to find out what is causing the halitosis. Even so, some foods stimulate saliva production and help reduce bad breath.
Some effective, though short-lived, natural remedies are:
- Certain teas, such as green tea or Korean red ginseng. They contain natural antimicrobials that can kill bacteria in the mouth.
- Foods such as lentils, beans or tomatoes, which contain polyphenols.
- Vegetables such as asparagus, lettuce or aubergine.
- Aniseed.
- Parsley.
- Mushrooms.
Many of the benefits of these foods have not been scientifically proven, so it is best not to believe in miracle cures. Be careful, and don’t let the anxiety this problem causes take over.
The most important thing to remember is that, if you don’t know what is causing your bad breath, the first step is to get a diagnosis and then the right treatment or tools to solve it. At Clínica Dental Acosta Cubero we look into the cause of your halitosis and advise you on any dental treatments you may need. Book your appointment and breathe easy.
