''When halitosis is severe or longstanding; it may psychologically decrease the self-confidence and social interactions of affected person.'' - Dr. Manabu Morita
If you're wondering how to get rid of bad breath, it's important to first understand the source of this common problem. Bad breath (halitosis) can be uncomfortable for both yourself and those around you, and it needs to be taken seriously. Scientific research shows that 90% of bad breath cases originate from problems inside the mouth.
In fact, the most common cause of bad breath is inadequate oral hygiene. However, it's not just neglecting to brush your teeth; dry mouth, gum diseases, reflux, tonsil stones, and even systemic conditions like diabetes can also lead to bad breath. The fact that 80-90% of bad breath cases are caused by intraoral factors highlights the importance of professional support in solving this problem.
As the best dental clinic in Antalya, Clinic UltraDent provides lasting solutions for bad breath. In this article, we will share information on the causes of bad breath, how it can be addressed at home, and how we achieve effective results with our professional approach.
Why Does Your Mouth Smell? The 5 Most Common Reasons
We have observed over years of treatments that bad breath usually stems from 5 main reasons. Knowing these reasons will support you to solve the problem at its root.
1. Inadequate Oral Hygiene
The most common cause of bad breath is inadequate oral hygiene. When brushing, flossing, and routine dental cleanings are not performed, bacteria invade your mouth and multiply uncontrollably. Research shows that this common condition leads to bad odor and also to gum diseases and tooth decay. Food particles between teeth cause bacteria to multiply and plaque to form. When this plaque hardens, it's called tartar, which opens the door to more serious problems.
2. Bacterial Accumulation on the Tongue Surface
Another common cause of bad breath is bacteria accumulated on the tongue's surface. The rough surface of the tongue creates an ideal environment for the accumulation of bacteria and food debris. These accumulations cause bad odors over time. Most odor-causing bacteria live on the tongue and lead to bad breath if not cleaned regularly. At Clinic UltraDent, we emphasize that tongue cleaning with a tongue scraper is an important part of oral hygiene.
3. Dry Mouth and Lack of Saliva
Saliva is a natural defense mechanism that cleans bacteria and food particles from the mouth. When saliva production decreases, dry mouth (xerostomia) occurs, which increases bad breath. Dry mouth naturally occurs, especially during sleep, and is the main cause of bad breath felt in the morning. Some medications, smoking, alcohol consumption, and certain diseases can also affect the function of the salivary glands, leading to dry mouth.
4. Reflux and Stomach-Related Odors
A significant portion of bad breath originates from the digestive system. Especially people with reflux (GERD) experience the smell of stomach contents in their breath as stomach fluids pass into the esophagus. Additionally, bacteria formed in the stomach are common causes of bad breath. At Clinic UltraDent, we recommend a digestive system check for individuals with persistent bad breath complaints, offering a holistic approach.
5. Smoking and Spicy Foods
Smoking causes bad breath both directly and indirectly. Smoking leads to dry mouth and increases the risk of gum disease. Besides, garlic, onions, dairy products, spicy foods, some cheeses, fish, and acidic beverages are also common causes of bad breath. Volatile compounds formed during the digestion of these foods enter the bloodstream and are expelled through the breath, and can persist for a long time.
How to Get Rid of Bad Breath at Home?
There are many effective methods that can be applied at home to eliminate bad breath. As the best dental clinic in Antalya, we state that these methods will support our professional treatments. Here are some home remedies that can answer the question "what helps bad breath?":
Drink Plenty of Water and Keep Your Mouth Moist
The simplest and most natural way to get rid of bad breath is to drink plenty of water. Water consumption cleans bacteria in the mouth and increases saliva production, preventing dry mouth. Drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day is important for both general health and preventing bad breath.
Natural Solutions like Lemon Water, Parsley, and Apples
Drinking lemon water cleans the inside of the mouth and helps eliminate odor by reducing bacteria. You can squeeze some lemon juice into a glass of water and drink it first thing in the morning. Additionally, chewing parsley neutralizes bad odors due to its chlorophyll content. Hard fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, and celery act as natural tooth cleansers during chewing and help remove odor-causing bacteria.
Sugar-Free Gum and Herbal Teas
Chewing sugar-free gum increases saliva production, contributing to mouth cleansing. Furthermore, drinking green tea can help reduce bad breath due to its antimicrobial properties.
Saltwater Gargle
A saltwater gargle is a natural and effective method to stop bad breath. Simply add a teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water, swish each mouthful around your mouth for about 30 seconds, and then spit it out. This mixture enables it to kill bacteria in the mouth and reduces bad breath.
Avoid Skipping Meals and Eat Regular Meals
Going hungry for long periods can increase bad breath. Consuming regular and balanced meals balances saliva production and helps prevent bad breath. Eating snacks between meals will also help you control bad breath.
How Do We Provide Solutions for Bad Breath at Clinic UltraDent?
Solutions offered at a professional dental clinic are the most effective way to achieve lasting results for bad breath. Clinic UltraDent offers comprehensive and personalized approaches to bad breath.
Bad Breath Analysis and Individual Assessment
At first, we begin bad breath treatment with a detailed analysis. Each person's oral flora and causes of bad breath can differ. Therefore, our expert dentists first identify the source of the odor and then create a personalized treatment plan. During the diagnosis phase, we evaluate gum condition, the compatibility of existing fillings and prostheses, the tongue surface, saliva quantity, and overall oral health.
Professional Dental Cleaning
One of the most effective methods in combating bad breath is professional dental cleaning. Bacteria lodged between teeth and in gum pockets are the main source of bad odor. We effectively clean dental plaque and remove bacteria using ultrasonic technology. After this procedure, bad breath is significantly reduced, and gum health improves.
Tongue Surface Cleaning and Special Care
Bacteria accumulated on the tongue surface are an important cause of bad breath. In our clinic, we clean bacteria on the tongue surface using special tongue cleaning tools and techniques. We also provide detailed information on how to perform tongue cleaning at home.
Antibacterial Product Recommendations
After treatment, we recommend special antibacterial mouthwashes, toothpastes, and oral sprays for home care. These products prevent the multiplication of bacteria in the mouth, providing fresh breath. We also recommend personalized probiotic mouthwash use and products that maintain oral pH balance.
Regular Check-up Planning
Regular check-ups are essential for a permanent solution to bad breath. We include you in our appointment system every 3-6 months and continuously monitor your oral health. Thanks to regular check-ups, we detect and intervene early on new problems that could cause bad breath.
This comprehensive approach we offer provides a definitive solution to bad breath and gives you the opportunity to smile with confidence.
How Do Diet and Lifestyle Affect Bad Breath?
The impact of diet on bad breath is quite strong. What we eat and drink can directly affect our breath.
The Effect of Garlic, Onions, and Dairy Products
Consumption of garlic and onions is one of the most common factors causing bad breath due to the sulfur compounds they contain. After these foods are digested, their aromatic compounds enter the bloodstream and are expelled through the lungs. This causes a persistent odor that can last for hours. Their effects are more pronounced when consumed raw.
Dairy products can also cause bad breath. Dairy products like cheese and yogurt can lead to bacterial buildup in the mouth, and these bacteria produce sulfur compounds that cause bad odor when broken down. Dairy products often lead to bad breath problems because they are poorly digested.
The Role of Coffee, Alcohol, and Acidic Beverages
Coffee and alcohol lead to dry mouth, facilitating the multiplication of bacteria. Coffee reduces saliva production due to its caffeine content, causing dry mouth. These beverages allow odor-causing bacteria to remain in the mouth for longer.
Acidic beverages can also damage tooth enamel, increasing bad breath. It is recommended to rinse your mouth with water after consuming beverages like tea, coffee, and cola. Acidic beverage consumption should be limited, or the mouth should be rinsed with water afterward.
The Benefits of Probiotic Foods
Probiotic foods are effective in reducing bad breath. Studies have shown that probiotics can eliminate odor-causing bacteria by producing sulfur compounds. Probiotics support oral health by reducing the number of harmful bacteria and increasing beneficial bacteria in the mouth.
Probiotic sources:
- Yogurt and kefir
- Pickles and fermented foods
- Sauerkraut
As Clinic UltraDent, we recommend incorporating probiotic foods into your daily diet.
Top Things to Know While Dieting
Bad breath is a common problem when dieting. Low-carb diets cause the body to produce ketones, and these ketones are expelled through the breath, leading to a bad odor. This is known as "ketone breath."
During diet, pay attention to these points:
- Drink plenty of water.
- Reduce sugary foods.
- Consume fibrous foods.
- Don't skip meals.
How to Get Rid of Bad Breath in 4 Steps?
Combating bad breath requires both reviewing your daily routines and seeking expert support. Our expert team adopts a holistic approach to provide lasting solutions to this problem.
1.Advanced Daily Oral Care:
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Don't neglect to clean your tongue, as the tongue surface is a significant source of bacterial accumulation.
- Use dental floss at least once a day to clean food particles and plaque between your teeth.
- If you wear dentures, clean your prostheses daily and follow your dentist's recommended care.
2.Preventing Dry Mouth:
- Drink plenty of water to prevent dry mouth, which leads to bad breath.
- Limit beverages like coffee and alcohol that dry out the mouth.
- Chew sugar-free gum to increase saliva production.
3.Natural Solutions :
- Drink lemon water or gargle with saltwater.
- Consume natural foods like parsley and apples.
- Drink green tea or antibacterial herbal teas.
4.Professional Support and Check-ups:
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The most effective way to combat bad breath is to visit the dentist regularly, at least every 6 months. During these check-ups, dental cleaning is performed, fillings are checked, and potential problems are detected early.
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At Clinic UltraDent, we create personalized treatment plans to solve the bad breath problem at its root. We provide dental cleaning, tongue care, antibacterial product recommendations, and advice on your eating habits.