Did you know that there are over 90 million people worldwide that suffer from some form of bad breath, whether that is simple bad breath from eating pungent foods such as garlic or onion or more severe cases of halitosis arising from gum problems or even other health concerns.

But what is bad breath exactly?

In it’s simplest form it’s an odor eminating from the mouth area that causes either yourself or other’s around you to notice the smell.

For most people this odor eminates from either your teeth, gums or tongue and is the result of leftover food that have gotten stuck in your mouth. This is why it’s so important to have good dental hygiene habits, to clear away any of this excess food particles. If left there, the bacteria in your mouth will feed on the leftover food and emit a sulphur compound as a byproduct.

To make sure you get rid of all your food, be extra vigilent with your dental hygience habits and not only brush your teeth getting right down to the gum line and back of your teeth, but also brush your cheeks and tongue (gently) as well. Your aim will be to get rid of all food particles that have been left in your mouth.

Flossing is another great way to get rid of any food particles that may have lodged between your teeth that brushing can sometimes miss.

Does mouthwash help?

While some mouthwashes can eliminate the bacteria that cause bad breath, and the swishing motion around the mouth can dislodge some particles, for the most part, mouthwash merely just masks the odor and gives your breath a minty smell.

What about more serious causes of bad breath?

Some cases of bad breath are not caused by mere bacteria and food being left in your mouth, but more serious health problems such as diabetes, infections in the stomach or intestines, liver or kidney problems.

Dry mouth, while less serious, can also be a cause of bad breath as there is no saliva to wash away any leftover food. This is why patients undergoing radiation therapy often experience bad breath, because the radiation affects saliva production.

Other factors that cause bad breath

The biggest culprit for bad breath is no doubt smoking, but things like stress, hormonal problems, rapid weight gain or loss, and changes in diet can also contribute.

If the odor is coming from the back of the throat then it’s likely that the cause is post-nasal drip. This is a condition where mucus from the nasal passages leak down into your throat and get stick at the bad of your tongue.

How do you fix bad breath?

For less severe cases of bad breath (i.e. those that are not caused by health problems), the most effective solution for keeping your breath smelling fresh is to increase your saliva production. Saliva is the best way of keeping the bacteria in your mouth at managable levels and washing away excess food.