Mouth Odor

What Is Mouth Odour?

Mouth odor can also be referred to as bad breath. The medical term is called Halitosis/ Fetororis. It is referred to as an unpleasant smell coming from the mouth. It can occur on occasion, or it can be a chronic condition. It can result from poor dental health habits and may be a sign of other underlying health problems. Mouth odor is a common problem that can cause significant psychological distress. Halitosis is the third most common problem reason that people seek dental care, after tooth decay and gum disease. Mouth odor affects everyone at some point. Odor can come from the mouth, teeth, or as a result of an underlying health issue. Bad breath odor can be a temporary problem or a chronic condition.

Symptoms of Mouth Odor

In addition to a bad smell, you may also notice a bad taste in your mouth. If the taste is due to an underlying condition and isn’t because of trapped food particles. It may not disappear even if you brush your teeth and use mouth wash.

Halitosis Causes

1. Poor Dental hygiene: Bacteria break down food particles trapped in the teeth or mouth. The combination of the bacteria and decaying food in your mouth produces an unpleasant odor. Brushing and flossing regularly removes trapped food before it decays. Brushing also removes plaques, a sticky substance that builds up on your teeth and causes odor. Plaque build-up can cause cavities and periodontal disease. Bad breath also is a problem if you wear dentures and don’t clean them every night.
2. Smoking: Smoking cigarettes or cigars causes a smelly breath and dries out the mouth, which can make your breath odor even worse. It leaves chemical compounds in your mouth that can mix with your saliva and cause bad breath. They do cause oral health problems like gum disease and tooth decay.
3. Dry mouth: It can also occur if you don’t create enough saliva. Saliva helps keep your mouth clean and reduces odor. Saliva helps cleanse your mouth, removing particles that cause bad mouth odor. A condition called (ZEEROSTOEMUEH), can contribute to bad breath because the production of saliva is decreased. Dry mouth naturally occurs during sleep, leading to morning breath, and it worsens if you sleep with your mouth open. Chronic dry mouth can be caused by a problem with your salivary glands and some disease.
4. Strong foods and beverages: The breakdown of food particles in and around your teeth can increase bacteria and cause a foul odor. When you eat onions, garlic, or other foods with a strong odor, your stomach absorbs oils from the foods during digestion. These oils pass into your bloodstream and travel to your lungs. This produces an odor that others can notice in your breath for up to 72 hours. Drinking beverages with strong odors, such as coffee, can also contribute to bad breath.
5. Periodontal disease: It could also be called gum disease and it happens when you don’t remove plaque promptly from teeth. Over time, plaque hardens plaque into Tartar. You can’t remove Tartar by brushing, and trying to do so further irritates your gums. Tartar may cause pickets or small openings, to form in the area between the teeth and gums. Food, bacteria, and dental plaque can collect in the pockets, causing a strong odor. 

• Medications: Some medications can indirectly produce bad breath by contributing to dry mouth. Others can be broken down in the body to release chemicals that can be carried on your breath, you can get affordable mouth wash and oral hygiene tools online

• Other mouths, nose, and throat conditions: Bad breath can occasionally stem from small stones that form in the nostrils and are covered with bacteria that produce odor. Infections or chronic inflammation in the noses, sinuses, or throat, which can contribute to postnasal drip, also can cause bad breath.

• Other causes: Diseases such as some cancers, and conditions such as metabolic disorders, can cause a distinctive breath odor as a result of the chemicals they produce. Chronic reflux of stomach acids (gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD) can be associated with bad breath.

Mouth Odour Treatment

If breath odor is due to a plaque build-up, a dental cleaning may be the best mouth odor treatment. A deep dental cleaning may be necessary if you have periodontal disease. Treating underlying medical problems such as sinus infection or kidney disease can also help improve bad odor. Your dentist may recommend that you use an artificial saliva product and drink plenty of water if a dry mouth causes your odor problem

How To Prevent Mouth Odor

Most of the time, mouth odor can be cured and prevented with proper oral hygiene. You have to consistently practice good oral hygiene which includes;

1. Brush your teeth after you eat: Brush at least twice a day, especially after meals. Toothpaste with antibacterial properties has been shown to reduce bad breath odors.

• Floss daily: Proper flossing removes food particles and plaque from between your teeth, helping to control bad breath.

• Brush your tongues: Your tongue harbors bacteria, so carefully brushing it may reduce odors. People who have a coated tongue from a significant overgrowth of bacteria (from smoking or dry mouth, for example) may benefit from using a tongue scraper. Or use a toothbrush that has a built-in tongue cleaner.

• Clean dentures or dental appliances: if you wear a bridge or a denture, clean it thoroughly at least once a day or as directed by your dentist. If you have a dental retainer or mouth guard, clean it each time before you put it in your mouth. Your dentist must recommend the best cleaning products
• Avoid dry mouth: to keep your mouth moist, avoid tobacco and drink plenty of water, not coffee, soft drinks, or alcohol, which can lead to a drier mouth. Chew gum or suck candy (preferably sugarless) to stimulate saliva. For chronic dry mouth, your dentist or physician may prescribe an artificial saliva preparation or an oral medication that stimulates the flow of saliva.
• Adjust your diet: Avoid foods such as onions and garlic that can cause bad breath. Eating a lot of sugary foods is also linked with bad breath.
• Regularly get a new toothbrush: Change your toothbrush when it becomes frayed, about every three to four months, and choose a soft-bristled toothbrush.

• Schedule regular dental check-ups: See your dentist regularly- generally twice a year – to have your teeth or dentures examined and cleaned.

The Solution To Mouth Odor

Fresh breath can ensure that you leave a positive impression on those with whom you interact. However, many people don’t know how to keep their breath smelling its freshest. Here are a few tips.

1. Use antibacterial mouthwash
2. Rinse with water after meals and snacks
3. Chew gum that contains cinnamon or xylitol
4. Stop smoking
5. Stay hydrated
6. Brush and floss regularly
7. Use a tongue scraper
8. Visit your dentist.