Finally end with bad breath

Whether in the morning after waking up or eating with a lot of garlic – sometimes you can hardly wait to brush your teeth. Bad breath is extremely uncomfortable for most people. Bad breath, medically referred to as halitosis, can have many reasons. Many don’t even notice that their breath smells uncomfortably because their own nose quickly gets used to the smell.

Permanently bad breath is usually a sign that something has come out of balance in the body. In around 90 percent of the cases, the causes are located directly in the oral cavity – therefore the dentist is usually the first point of contact, if necessary you will be referred from there to other specialists.

The main responsibility for the musty breath is special bacteria that frolic in the oral cavity that are difficult to access. They disassemble protein -containing residues from saliva, food residues or dead cells. This creates fleeting sulfur compounds – gases that smell unpleasant even in low concentration.

The tongue covering in particular plays a central role. The bacteria there do not need oxygen and feel particularly comfortable in the recesses on the tongue surface. Studies show that people with chronic bad breath have up to 25 times more bacteria on their tongue than people with fresh breath.

But also dental plaque, caries, inflamed gums (gingivitis) or periodontitis – i.e. inflammation of the entire tooth keeper – can also lead to bad breath. Inflammatory processes in particular promote the settlement of odor -forming germs in the gum pockets. Bacteria also find ideal conditions for defective fillings, leaky crowns or under poorly fitting dentures.

Chronic bad breath has a variety of causes

There are also a number of other reasons that can cause bad breath. Dry the mouth is often underestimated. It occurs naturally in sleep, but is also favored by smoking, mouth breathing in sports, certain medication or at older age. Diabetes or mental illnesses can also affect the flow of saliva. However, saliva is essential for a healthy oral flora, it flushes germs and the most dining way and contains antimicrobial fabrics. If the saliva is missing, the number of bacteria increases – and thus the odor load.

In the nasal throat room, almond inflammation, chronic runny nose, sinus infections or nasal polyps can ensure that odor-intensive secretions arise that smells uncomfortably when breathing or swallowing. Inflammation of the bronchi or lungs often lead to mucus that smells badly – especially when it is coughed up and remains in the oral cavity.

Sometimes the problem lies in the digestive tract. During heartburn, stomach acid rises into the esophagus and even into the throat. This not only causes a burning feeling, but also a sour breath smell. Gastroke mucosal inflammation (gastritis) can also lead to bad breath, especially if the inflammation is chronic. Finally, metabolic diseases can also affect breath smell. A classic example is type 1 diabetes, in which the breath sometimes smells of acetone due to a metabolic acid – comparable to nail polish remover.

That ensures fresh breath

Drunk too much coffee or eaten heavily spiced dishes? Fresh herbs such as parsley, mint, lemon balm and spices, such as fennel and anise seeds or cardamom capsules, which you chew if necessary, are the proven home remedies for the bad taste in the mouth. Some swear by green or black tea, others on apples, ginger or a mouthwash with a few drops of tea tree oil on a glass of water.

Since bad breath usually arises in the oral cavity, thorough and regular tooth and oral hygiene is the be-all and end-all. Twice a day, the teeth should be cleaned carefully for about two minutes. The use of fluoride -containing toothpaste is recommended, which not only strengthens the enamel, but also makes the formation of bacterial coverings difficult. Anyone who uses an electric toothbrush usually benefits from particularly thorough cleaning.

In the – often neglected – interdental spaces, food residues and bacteria can settle particularly well. With dental floss or interdental brush, these areas can be effectively cleaned and thus eliminated one of the most common sources for bad breath. Braces, implants or removable prostheses should also be cleaned thoroughly every day and with suitable means. An often underestimated but important step in oral care is daily tongue cleaning.

There are particularly many odor -forming bacteria on the tongue – especially in the back area. With a special tongue scraper or a soft brush, it can be gently removed. In addition to daily dental care, mouthwashes can be used, especially if there are already inflammation in the mouth. Some products contain antibacterial active ingredients such as chlorhexidine or zinc connections.

However, such preparations should only be limited in time and used in consultation with the dentist to avoid an imbalance in the oral flora. Regular control dates at the dentist are also important. Especially with inflamed gums or existing coverings, professional tooth cleaning can also be appropriate.

And: don’t forget to drink! To stimulate the important saliva flow, you should get to 1.5 to two liters of liquid every day – preferably water. The chewing of sugar -free chewing gum, raw food such as carrots or hard bread also acts activating on the salivary glands, supports the natural cleaning process and thus refreshes your breath.