5 Tips to Stop Bad Breath: Causes & Solution to Stop Bad Breath

Bad breath is an embarrassing problem for most people who have this issue, even though it’s relatively common. Some individuals aren’t aware they have the problem, while others wonder why they get it and how they can amend it.

Sometimes it can be hard to tell whether you have bad breath unless someone tells you so. While asking a loved one or friend to smell, whether it’s terrible or not, may feel beyond the boundaries, there are ways to determine it yourself.

In this piece, we will look at what bad breath is, the causes and measures you can take to eliminate the smell.

01

What is Bad Breath?

Halitosis is the medical term for bad breath and is usually a sign of health issues related to poor oral hygiene but can also stem from other problems.

If you’re unsure that you have bad breath, there are a few steps you can take to determine it yourself:

Tongue Check: If you have a white coating over your tongue, it’s a sign there are bacteria present. To test, wipe a cotton bud across the white layer and smell it.
Taste: If you have a bad taste in your mouth, your breath is likely a little stinky. It could be ongoing or a result of something you just ate.
Saliva Smell: If you lick the back of your hand, let it dry and then smell the area, it will indicate whether you have bad breath or not.

02

What Causes Bad Breath?

There are many reasons your breath may smell, some easier to rectify than others. Common reasons include:

1. Poor Oral Hygiene

Poor oral hygiene habits are one the most common reasons for bad breath. If you don’t brush twice a day and floss at least once daily, food particles will remain in your gums, mouth and tongue.

Bacteria forms in the form of plaque on your teeth when you don’t take care of your oral health, which in turn causes smelly breath. Your tongue also traps food and should be cleaned with your brush also.

2. Food

Most people have an issue because of food particles in their mouths. When you eat, the tongue, teeth and gums get bits of food stuck in them, which breaks down and causes a smelly odour in the mouth.

Food also causes issues once it’s digested and carried through your lungs to your mouth. Some foods that cause this concern are spices, garlic and onions, which can cause smelly breath for some time.

3. Dry Mouth

Some people naturally have dry mouth or are on a medication that affects it, which can cause smelly breath. If dry mouth is an ongoing issue for you, you must seek professional assistance from your dentist or doctor.

03

Top Tips for Stopping Bad Breath

Some people with smelly breath struggle to live a well-functioning life because the embarrassment leads to anxious feelings. Our dentists share some of the best tips to keep your breath minty fresh, from simple at-home solutions to seeking professional assistance.

1. Brush your teeth

It seems simple, but it is an overlooked part of daily routine, particularly when life gets busy. Our Melbourne dentists recommend brushing your teeth twice daily to keep plaque at bay and remove food particles.

Cleaning your tongue and replacing your brush every few months will help you maintain your oral hygiene and help keep bad breath away.

2. Daily flossing

A good habit to get into at least once a day is to use dental floss between your teeth where bits of food get stuck. The floss gets this niggly spaces that can’t be easily done with a toothbrush.

Our family dentist recommends teaching your children how to floss to create good habits and avoid the embarrassment of bad breath later in life.

3. Eat a healthy diet

Everyone can look at their diet at home and see whether that’s contributing to their oral hygiene. Food like carrots and apples that need chewing a bit before swallowing help produce saliva and help you avoid dry mouth.

If you have a diet where you drink a lot of coffee and alcohol or intake a high sugar content, you’re likely to have bad breath. Limiting these items can help you avoid smelly breath.

4. Clean your dentures

If you wear dentures, you must still have good oral hygiene practices. Just like your teeth, food will get stuck in and under them and need thorough cleaning at least once daily.

Our dentists recommend taking your dentures out overnight and ensuring they’re thoroughly clean before using them the following day.

5. Visit your dentist regularly

Visiting your dentist at half yearly checkups can help you avoid tooth decay and gum disease, which cause bad breath. They can identify issues early and help you understand how to best care for your teeth.

During these sessions, we recommend our patients ask questions about their oral health so your dentist and hygienist can attend to all your concerns.

04

Bonus Tip: Did you know drinking water helps moisten your mouth? Regular drinking water will help produce saliva and avoid issues such as dry mouth, which cause bad breath.

Sugarless chewing gum can also have the same effect and is good to use after a meal to encourage ongoing saliva production.

05

Make an Appointment With The Smile Designer

If you suspect you have smelly breath or it’s been a while since you’ve visited your family dentist, the dentist at The Smile Designer is experienced in all areas of oral hygiene.

Our Melbourne dentist can help you avoid issues such as bad breath and save you from the embarrassment that comes with it. Dental health is our priority, and by helping you develop good habits, we can help you live an orally healthy life.

If you’ve worked through our tips and your issue’s not resolved, we welcome new and existing patients to book online for an appointment at our Melbourne dental clinic. Ask us how we can help you get better breath and dental health.