Whether you’re walking into a room for a job interview or meeting someone for a first date, a bright smile and fresh breath can go a long way. However, bad breath can be a huge strike against you.
According to a Massachusetts Dental Society Article, 25% of Americans suffer from chronic halitosis (aka bad breath) and nearly $10 billion is spent on this condition each year. There are many culprits out there for bad breath (i.e. garlic, spicy foods, tobacco products, etc.) and so many products on the market—mints, mouthwashes, etc.—only mask your bad breath, never getting to the root of the problem.
That’s why we’ve put together a list of 3 things you may not have know about bad breath. Our list gives you some straight facts on bad breath along with helpful tips to keep it at bay.
- 80-90% of bad breath comes from the oral cavity, specifically bacteria growing there: This bacteria develops in the crevices between teeth, the pockets of your gums and on your tongue. These are all very fertile breeding grounds for bacteria to set up camp and multiply. If the bacteria causes infections, it produces byproducts called Volatile Sulfur Compounds. Volatile Sulfur Compounds not only smell awful, they put you at higher risk for systemic health problems such as heart attacks and stroke.
- Bad breath can be caused by dry mouth: Dry mouth (or xerostomina) is one of the lesser known culprits of bad breath. Dry mouth occurs when the flow of saliva to the mouth decreases leaving less of it to naturally cleanse the mouth of odor-causing bacteria. If you suffer from dry mouth, you may want to consider using a sugarless candy, upping your fluid intake or your dentist may prescribe you an artificial saliva product.
- Bad breath could be the sign of a more serious medical condition: Bad breath can be one of the first signs of conditions such as chronic sinusitis, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, gastrointestinal disturbances and liver or kidney ailments. That’s why if you suffer from bad breath and your dentist determines you have a healthy mouth, he or she may refer you to a family doctor or specialist to determine the cause of your problem.
To keep bad breath away, it’s vital that you maintain good oral health. You should keep a consistent oral health care routine that includes the following:
- Brush at least 2 times per-day with a fluoride toothpaste to clean away debris and plaque (make sure to brush your tongue too).
- Floss (or use an interdental cleaner) at least once per-day to remove debris between teeth.
- If you wear removable dentures, take them out at night and clean them thoroughly before replacing them the next morning.
