Mouth Odour can be embarrassing if you are out on a date, headed to a job interview, or just hanging out with good friends. Bad breath can affect a person's self-confidence and cause anxiety in many people, which is why we see store shelves stocked full of various types of gum, mouthwash, mints, and other products that work to fight it.
In fact, mouth odour is so bad that they gave it a scientific name, Halitosis.
According to studies, about 50% of the general population suffer from mouth odour. It is a common problem that negatively affects the lives of many Nigerians. But it can be treated for certain people. There are many treatments, natural home remedies, and preventative measures that can be taken to block the unwanted odour, but it is important to first understand the causes and symptoms of mouth odour.
Causes of Mouth Odour
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Poor Dental Hygiene: Food particles will remain in your mouth after eating and cause bad breath if you do not brush your teeth regularly. Plaque (a sticky deposit on your teeth in which bacteria grows quickly) forms on teeth, and plaque-filled pockets will form between the teeth if not brushed out. This plaque, along with other bacteria on your tongue, will cause bad odours to form.
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Certain Foods: Many foods can be the cause of mouth odour such as garlic, onions, and spices. After these foods have been digested, they can even enter your lungs and cause bad breath.
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Medications: Surprisingly, medications can indirectly contribute to your mouth odour. Many medications cause dry mouth, which causes bad breath. Some medications are broken down to release chemicals in the body that can also cause odour in your breath.
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Tobacco Products: Many people know that tobacco products can lead to gum diseases and other serious health issues, but it can also cause serious mouth odour. Smoking and chewing tobacco can leave an unpleasant odour in the mouth.
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Dry Mouth: Dry mouth is known to cause mouth odour, because the production of saliva has slowed. Saliva cleanses your mouth of particles that can cause odour. Dry mouth can begin with sleeping (which is why majority of people have "morning breath" the moment they wake up in the morning). Dry Mouth is also known to occur when you go a long time with your mouth closed.
- Medical Conditions: For those who take care proper care of the mouth, bad breath could also be a result of a medical condition. Some of those conditions could be diabetes, sinus conditions, gastric re-flux, kidney disease, liver disease, and other conditions.
There are many causes of mouth odour, with some being harmless and others being serious. It can simply be caused by the foods you eat, but it can sometimes be a sign of something worse happening to your body. Worst of all, it can be a sign of tooth decay and if left untreated, can result in SERIOUS toothache.
Also read: Toothache: Causes, Symptoms, Cures, & Prevention
Symptoms of Mouth Odour
It is usually fairly simple to tell if you have a bad odour emitting from your mouth. You may smell your own breath, but many times mouth odour is not known by the person that has it. If you think you are experiencing bad breath, ask a close friend or family member to confirm the odour. It is an embarrassing experience but at least you know the truth from someone you trust so you can remedy the situation.
The most common symptom of mouth odour is the unpleasant smell coming from the mouth. There are a few other signs and symptoms to look out for as well, and they include:
- Dry mouth
- Unpleasant taste or changes in taste
- Coating on the tongue (aka "White Tongue")
Treatments, Cures, Home Remedies, & Prevention
Treatment for mouth odour depends on the severity of the case. Treatments may include seeing a dentist regularly for oral exams and cleanings, but they may recommend you to primary care provider if it is caused by an underlying health condition. A dentist can help detect gum disease, dry mouth, or other causes of your bad breath and prevent them from becoming serious problems.
Besides regularly visiting a dentist, there are other home remedies and methods of prevention that is recommended to combat mouth odour.
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Brush your teeth at least twice a day: Brushing your teeth after each meal can remove food left behind that causes odour and other problems and diseases. Good oral hygiene is the best defense against bad breath. Also, don't forget to change out your toothbrush every three to four months or when it becomes old and worn out.
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Floss your teeth daily: Flossing is another part of good oral hygiene that prevents bad breath. Flossing removes particles and plaque from between your teeth that can cause bad breath.
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Brush your tongue when brushing teeth: The tongue holds bacteria just like the teeth do! Carefully brushing the tongue can help remove the odours from your mouth. For those who have a coated tongue (white tongue issue), try using a toothbrush with a built-in tongue cleaner or a tongue scraper.
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Rinse with over-the-counter mouthwash: Mouthwashes kill bacteria and reduce the risk of mouth odour. It is only a temporary solution that will probably not treat the underlying cause, but it can fight off unwanted odour for a short period of time.
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Avoid dry mouth:Tobacco, coffee, alcohol, and soft drinks can all lead to dry mouth. Drink plenty of water instead. Chewing on gum or sucking on sweet can stimulate your saliva and help with a dry mouth. But don't use sugary products too much as it can lead to tooth pain in the future! If you are experiencing chronic dry mouth, use a product that is designed to fix the problem.
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Quit the use of tobacco products: Smoking, chewing, and other forms of tobacco can lead to serious health issues. They also cause mouth odour. By stopping the use of these products, you can prevent bad breath and other serious diseases from happening.
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Clean dentures or other dental appliances: If you wear removable dentures, take them out at night and clean them at least once a day. Also, clean mouth guards each time before placing them in your mouth.
- Adjust your diet: Avoid any foods that cause you to have mouth odour. You may want to stay away from garlic, onions, and other spices that cause odour in the mouth. Sugary foods are also linked to bad breath and other oral health issues.
Mouth odour is a serious problem for many people, but it can be a more serious problem for others. Understanding the causes and symptoms of the unwanted odour will help you know which treatments, home remedies, and types of prevention to use in order to fight it off.
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