Bad breath: causes and remedies
Offensive breath is a common problem that interferes with communication and leads to awkwardness. But what to do in such a situation? Let's talk in more detail about why this problem appears and how to fix it.
Content
Bad breath - reasons
Common causes of bad breath are:
- lack of hygiene;
- unhealthy gums and teeth;
- insufficient humidity;
- inflammatory process.
These diseases are manifested due to the presence of microbes and small food debris in the mouth. If, after using antibacterial rinses and a visit to the dentist, it was not possible to eliminate the problem, then the cause must be looked for inside the body.
To find out the specific reason, you need to pay attention to the shade of the smell.
If there is a smell similar to acetone, then diabetes may be the cause. Also, diets that use few carbohydrates, or fasting, lead to this smell. An acetone aroma can mean that the body is lacking in vitamins. Such a smell is not often found, but if it appears, you must definitely visit a doctor.
With an odor that resembles ammonia, the cause is hepatic encephalopathy and renal failure.
The smell of spoiled eggs may also be troubling. It occurs due to the formation of hydrogen sulfide due to the breakdown of proteins containing sulfur. These proteins enter the body through food. This specific aroma can begin after overeating and eating:
- meat products;
- milk;
- eggs;
- garlic or onions;
- various spices;
- vegetables;
- peas;
- watermelon, banana, avocado;
- walnuts, cashews;
- coffee or tea.
Also, the root cause of the smell of rotten eggs can be health problems, such as low acidity in the stomach, deformation of the esophagus, ulcer, atony of the stomach and abnormal functionality of the gallbladder or liver.
You can quickly get rid of such a smell only if the source is overeating and neglected hygiene. If the reasons are inside the body, then visits to the gastroenterologist will be required, followed by a long course of therapy.
For a while, an unpleasant odor from the oral cavity may appear after the tooth extraction procedure. This problem will disappear by itself as soon as the wound heals. If the smell does not go away for more than 2 days, it means that inflammation has begun in the oral cavity.
Bad breath in a child - causes
This problem can appear in babies in the morning. To get rid of it, you need to carry out hygiene procedures. If after this the problem remains, then you should contact the pediatrician.
When such a problem appears in a child, you first need to check the thoroughness of his hygiene procedures. In children, the toothbrush should have a rounded head and soft bristles. You should also provide toothpicks, dental floss, and tongue cleaners. Until the child has mastered the technique of brushing teeth, the parents should carry out the procedure.
If a child develops an improper odor from the mouth, you should also pay attention to some points:
- condition of teeth and gums;
- breathing, since when inhaling and exhaling through the mouth, there is a likelihood of caries and xerostomia;
- throat condition;
- what shade the smell has.
Braces, improper diet, antibiotics, or eating a lot of sugary foods can also be the cause.
After ruling out the above causes, such a problem could indicate the presence of a more serious medical condition, such as asthma or grade 1 diabetes. With such diagnoses, the smell has a tint of acetone. It can also be a symptom of a malfunctioning thyroid gland. It is necessary to immediately contact your pediatrician and dentist when the first signs are found.
How to get rid of bad breath
To get rid of such an unpleasant problem, you need to exclude the growth and development of various bacteria in the mouth. It is recommended to brush not only your teeth, but also your tongue after eating. Also, do not forget about rinsing. You can use both ready-made commercial options and folk remedies in the form of decoctions, tinctures and plant juices. St. John's wort, oak bark and chamomile have an antibacterial effect.
It is imperative to clean the surface of the tongue from whitish plaque using a toothbrush or antibacterial toothpastes.
Special mouthwash solutions can be used to freshen the breath. However, the effect will only be noticeable with regular use.
Some dentists do not recommend using antibacterial agents, as they wash out not only harmful bacteria, but also beneficial ones. It is better to opt for folk decoctions.
With a constant smell, you need to consult a doctor and find out the reasons, otherwise all actions aimed at getting rid of the problem will be unsuccessful.
How to avoid bad breath
To prevent the appearance of a painful odor, you need to follow some rules:
- It is correct to brush your teeth at least 2 times a day for at least 2 minutes. You need to be especially careful about the inner surfaces of the teeth.
- Change your toothbrush every 3-4 months, the brush should be with soft bristles.
- In order not to harm the enamel, teeth should be brushed before meals or an hour after.
- It is imperative to cleanse the tongue, since it is on it that many microorganisms live that cause an annoying smell.
- Floss between teeth at least once a day.
- Eliminate certain types of foods that can cause bad odors. Eat less onions, garlic, sugary foods and sour drinks. Reduce consumption of alcoholic and coffee drinks.
- Expand your diet with healthy foods such as sugar-free yogurt, vitamin D foods, cloves, aniseed spices, and dill seeds.
- Quit smoking.
- Systematically visit the dental office.
How to get rid of the smell of garlic from the mouth
The simplest and easiest way to get rid of the garlic odor is to use it correctly, that is, you need to take it with other foods, for example, in a salad. After that, you need to eat a piece of fruit or a small slice of bread, you can also chew nuts or coffee beans.
You can eliminate the smell after eating garlic with milk. It is an effective home remedy. You need to drink a glass of milk 30 minutes before meals. Among the drinks, green tea, sour freshly squeezed juice or tincture from plants will help solve the problem.
As an urgent measure, you can drink a glass of fenugreek tincture. Such a decoction will quickly get rid of the garlic smell. To prepare the infusion, you need to mix half a liter of water and 1 tablespoon of seeds, then heat in a water bath for 15 minutes.
How to get rid of bad breath for good
Due to the fact that the appearance of such a problem as odor in the mouth is caused by various diseases, you need to get rid of the root cause. By eliminating the source, you can get rid of such a nuisance forever.
Among folk remedies, you can use:
- Gargle with vegetable oil. The procedure is carried out for 15 minutes, then you need to rinse your mouth with water.
- Rinsing your mouth with hydrogen peroxide solution. You need to mix peroxide and water in a 1: 1 ratio. This method will not only get rid of germs, but also heal the gums.
- Application of tincture of wormwood and St. John's wort. It is necessary to pour the herbs, taken in the same proportion, 250 ml of boiling water and rinse 3-4 times a day.
But even after the problem has been resolved, it is imperative to carry out regular hygiene procedures and periodically visit the dentist.