Why Me? Causes of Bad Breath and How You Can Fight It
Have you ever wondered why you, of all people, suffer from bad breath? Don't worry, you're not alone. There are many causes of unpleasant breath – from poor oral hygiene to serious medical conditions. By following a few tips, you can get rid of bad breath in the long term and enjoy healthy, fresh breath.
How Does Bad Breath Develop?
Bad breath, also known as halitosis in its pronounced form, can have various causes. 90% of cases can be traced back to causes within the oral cavity. A common cause is, for example, a dry mouth. This is because saliva plays an important role in fighting bacteria in the oral cavity. When too little saliva is produced, bacteria can multiply rapidly and cause unpleasant odours. Poor dental hygiene can also lead to bad breath. Remnants of food and drinks can get stuck between the teeth and in the gums, promoting bacterial growth. When the gums then become inflamed, this provides even more breeding ground for bad breath. 
In some cases, even serious conditions such as diabetes or kidney disease can lead to bad breath. Most of the time, however, certain foods like garlic or onions are simply responsible for bad breath, as they contain sulphur compounds that are expelled through the lungs after consumption. That's why they say: If you have a date, you should skip the garlic!
What Are the Most Common Causes of Bad Breath?
- Bacterial Decomposition: Bad breath often results from the activity of bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria break down food remnants and plaque, producing sulphur compounds that can cause an unpleasant odour.
- Oral Hygiene: Inadequate oral hygiene, such as irregular brushing, insufficient cleaning of the tongue, or overlooking the spaces between teeth, can lead to bad breath. This allows bacteria and food remnants to remain in the mouth and promote odour formation.
- Dental and Gum Diseases: Dental and gum diseases such as cavities, periodontitis, or gum inflammation can cause bad breath. These conditions allow bacteria to multiply and release unpleasant odour-causing substances.
- Cavities: Also known as tooth decay, cavities are one of the most common causes of bad breath. If left untreated, cavities can lead to holes in the teeth. These cavities provide an ideal habitat for bacteria, which multiply within them and produce additional acids. The acids produced by bacteria can cause an unpleasant odour that is perceived as bad breath. Furthermore, cavities can also lead to other problems in the mouth that can cause bad breath. For example, carious lesions can penetrate deep into the tooth and infect the underlying tissue, including the dental nerve. This can lead to inflammation of the dental nerve, known as pulpitis. Such inflammation can also lead to bad breath.
- Dry Mouth: Reduced saliva production can lead to bad breath. Saliva plays an important role in neutralising acids and fighting bacteria in the mouth. When the mouth is dry, odour-causing bacteria can multiply.
- Food and Beverages: Certain foods and beverages such as garlic, onions, alcohol, and coffee can temporarily cause bad breath. The odour-causing substances from these foods are transported through the bloodstream to the lungs and then released when exhaling.
- Smoking: Smoking not only leads to bad breath but also causes oral malodour. The chemical substances in tobacco can cause an unpleasant smell in the mouth and throat.
- Abscessed Tonsils or Chronic Tonsillitis can also lead to bad breath. In cases of acute tonsillitis, pus can form on the tonsils, which can cause bad breath. When tonsillitis becomes chronic, recurring infections or inflammations of the tonsils can develop. Chronic tonsillitis is often accompanied by persistent bad breath. This is because the inflamed tonsils provide an ideal habitat for bacteria. These bacteria can release unpleasant odour-causing substances and thus lead to bad breath.
- Medications: Medications can lead to bad breath. Some medications contain chemical compounds that cause bad breath. In such cases, bad breath becomes noticeable as a side effect. If you believe your bad breath is caused by a specific medication, you should consult your doctor. This way, a decision can be made about whether the medication should be changed. If your bad breath truly stems from the medication, it will disappear quite quickly once you stop or adjust the medication.
Lung diseases or acid reflux can also be causes of bad breath, but almost always the cause lies in the mouth or throat area. It is important to note that bad breath can also be a symptom of other health problems. If bad breath persists despite good oral hygiene or is accompanied by other symptoms, a dentist or doctor should be consulted to rule out possible underlying conditions.
Tips Against Bad Breath
There are several tips you can follow to prevent bad breath. Often, you will notice an improvement in your breath after just a short time. Caution is advised if bad breath persists over a long period or is even associated with pain – in that case, you should seek medical attention immediately.
Tip 1: Oil Pulling for Healthy Teeth
Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic practice that contributes to improved oral health, as it binds bacteria and helps reduce dry mouth.
If you want to incorporate oil pulling into your daily routine, get yourself a high-quality oil. Coconut oil, sesame oil, or a special oil blend, like those available in our shop, work well. In the morning, take a tablespoon into your mouth and swish the oil through your teeth for about 10 to 20 minutes. Then spit the oil into a tissue and throw it away.
Do not spit the oil into the sink! It has bound the bacteria from your oral cavity and should therefore only be disposed of in the rubbish.
Tip 2: Tongue Scraping
Tongue scraping, also known as tongue cleaning, can help combat bad breath by regularly removing bacteria and deposits from your tongue. The tongue is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, as it has many small grooves and crevices where bacteria and food remnants can accumulate. These bacteria produce volatile sulphur compounds that can cause an unpleasant odour.
There are special tongue cleaners available on the market that are designed to thoroughly clean the tongue while being gentle on it. You can therefore use one very well IN ADDITION to your oral hygiene routine.
Tip 3: Regular Dental Hygiene
Brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and use dental floss or interdental brushes to remove plaque and bacteria between your teeth. Using a mild mouthwash after flossing is ideal for removing the last bacteria from your mouth. Regular visits to your dentist for check-ups and teeth cleaning are also important so that cavities and other conditions are detected early.
Tip 4: Drink Enough Water
Drinking plenty of fluids is important for our entire body. But our mouth also needs plenty of water to stay moist. This stimulates saliva flow and makes it harder for bacteria to spread. If your teeth and fresh breath are important to you, drink several glasses of water or tea throughout the day.
Tip 5: Avoid Alcohol and Cigarettes
Smoking and alcohol can cause dry mouth because they have a dehydrating effect. This means they can contribute to the body excreting more fluid than it takes in, which can lead to a fluid deficiency in the body. So anyone who is careful to maintain adequate fluid intake to get rid of bad breath should not undo this through alcohol or cigarettes.
Tip 6: Sugar-Free Chewing Gum or Mouth Spray
Sometimes nothing helps. Sometimes you need fresh breath on the spot because you have an important conversation coming up or perhaps even a date. Chewing gum or mouth sprays are the solution in this case. Chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free sweets to increase saliva production and reduce bad breath. In addition, the fresh scent temporarily masks the bad breath. But beware: This is only a temporary solution and cannot help you permanently get rid of bad breath.
Tip 7: Trust the Professionals
A regular visit to the dentist is a crucial step in combating bad breath. Through a professional dental cleaning, stubborn plaque and tartar that frequently cause bad breath can be removed. Furthermore, dentists can identify and treat possible underlying causes such as cavities, gum disease, or oral infections. Through regular check-up appointments with your dentist, bad breath can be effectively prevented and overall oral health improved. It is important to visit a dentist regularly to combat bad breath and maintain the health of your mouth.
How to Fight Morning Breath
Do you know the feeling of waking up in the morning and your breath just smells unpleasant? This is called "morning breath" and it is one of the most common forms of bad breath. But how can you combat this problem?
First of all, you should thoroughly clean your mouth in the evening. Brush your teeth, use dental floss, and rinse your mouth with a mouthwash. Cleaning the tongue in the morning also works wonders, as bacteria often accumulate there and are responsible for the unpleasant odour. As mentioned above, good oral care includes: oil pulling, tongue scraping, brushing, flossing, and mouthwash.
If you still suffer from bad breath in the morning, a glass of water can help. Drink it slowly after your dental hygiene routine and rinse your mouth with it. This removes any food remnants and stimulates your saliva flow, which in turn can contribute to reducing the odour – however, dental care in the evening is particularly important for achieving lasting change.
These Foods Help Against Bad Breath
There are some foods that positively influence your oral cavity and teeth. Among the foods that promote fresh breath are:
Parsley: Parsley is known for providing fresh breath. It contains essential oils that have antibacterial properties and can therefore help combat bad breath.
Citrus Fruits: Citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruits, and lemons can also help fight bad breath. They contain vitamin C, which can contribute to gum health and thus inhibit the growth of bacteria in the mouth.
Yoghurt: Yoghurt contains probiotics that can inhibit the growth of bacteria in the mouth and thereby reduce bad breath.
Green Tea: Green tea contains catechins, which have a strong antioxidant effect and can thus inhibit the growth of bacteria in the mouth.
Ginger: Ginger contains compounds that can fight bacteria in the mouth and thus help combat bad breath.
Apples: Apples can help combat bad breath, as they promote saliva production and can thus neutralise bacteria in the mouth.
A Self-Test for Bad Breath
Have you ever been unsure whether you suffer from bad breath? It is difficult to determine on your own whether you currently have bad breath. It is no wonder that someone usually has to point it out to you first.
If you are unsure again, here is a simple self-test for you:
- Lick your wrist or the back of your hand with your tongue.
- Let the saliva dry on the skin by waiting about 10 seconds.
- Then smell the dried skin.
It is important to note that this test only reflects the current moment. Have you eaten something that could be causing the noticeable breath? Are you currently taking any medications? Did you brush your teeth thoroughly in the morning? To truly determine whether there are signs of bad breath, you should speak with a dentist who can comprehensively inform you about your oral health.
Bad breath can have many different causes. The important thing is that you take care of your teeth and oral cavity so that bad breath remains the exception rather than being caused by poor oral hygiene in the long run. And if you really do have a date, then avoid foods that affect your breath. It is quite unpleasant for all parties to have a conversation with garlic breath. And if there is no other option: Then suck on a mint as a last resort.
All of these things, however, are only treating the symptoms. There is always an underlying cause for bad breath, which is why you should always visit your dentist to get examined. This way, you can get rid of your bad breath for good!