Many people worry about having bad breath, and this can affect confidence to a large degree. Fortunately, people who think they might not smell as fresh as they should can identify the cause and take steps to make the changes needed. This is a guide to the usual culprits when it comes to smelly breath; and what can be done to fix the issue.
Foods
Unsurprisingly, garlic is one of those food items that can make the breath smell. It is worse than some other kinds of food because of the way the body deals with it. The bloodstream absorbs garlic when it is eaten. This means that it gets into the lungs as well as other parts of the body; and when a person breathes out the smell of garlic is easily detectable.
Onions, lemons, oranges and tomatoes and foods that easily get trapped in between teeth can all cause a person’s breath to smell. To combat this, the teeth should be cleaned thoroughly after a meal if possible, and/or people should chew gum to keep smells at bay.
Tobacco
Smoking isn’t just injurious for the health in terms of all the potentially life-threatening illnesses it can cause; it is also a major cause of bad breath. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, tobacco itself leaves its own distinctive odour – which is almost instantly detectable by anyone who doesn’t smoke. Then, there is the fact that smoking is a major factor in terms of the deterioration of the gums and of gum disease – which also causes smelly breath.
People who are worried about how tobacco is impacting their health and their breath need not despair. However long a person has been smoking, or how addicted they think they might be; it is always possible to stop. There is lots of help available: including patches, inhalators, gum, cognitive behavioural therapy and more – it’s just a case of getting advice on the method that will work for the individual.
Not enough cleaning
It’s really important that the teeth are cleaned and flossed (or that interdental brushes are used) twice a day, every day. When people do not keep this up, food can remain stuck between the teeth which can cause a bad smell.
Insufficient standards of oral hygiene also allow bacteria to build up in the mouth, which allows plaque to develop. If the plaque then remains on the teeth and gums, gum disease is more likely and this will also cause the breath to smell bad. Seeing the dentist for check-ups and a professional clean can help to remove plaque and prevent gum disease.
Health issues
On some occasions, smelly breath is an indicator of something wrong with a person’s health. For example, it has been said that bad breath can be an indicator for heart disease. It can also suggest an issue with the sinuses, liver, kidneys and so on. If there is any doubt about the cause of smelly breath, it’s well worth visiting the GP to get some help.
Foods
Unsurprisingly, garlic is one of those food items that can make the breath smell. It is worse than some other kinds of food because of the way the body deals with it. The bloodstream absorbs garlic when it is eaten. This means that it gets into the lungs as well as other parts of the body; and when a person breathes out the smell of garlic is easily detectable.
Tobacco
Smoking isn’t just injurious for the health in terms of all the potentially life-threatening illnesses it can cause; it is also a major cause of bad breath. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, tobacco itself leaves its own distinctive odour – which is almost instantly detectable by anyone who doesn’t smoke. Then, there is the fact that smoking is a major factor in terms of the deterioration of the gums and of gum disease – which also causes smelly breath.
People who are worried about how tobacco is impacting their health and their breath need not despair. However long a person has been smoking, or how addicted they think they might be; it is always possible to stop. There is lots of help available: including patches, inhalators, gum, cognitive behavioural therapy and more – it’s just a case of getting advice on the method that will work for the individual.
Not enough cleaning
It’s really important that the teeth are cleaned and flossed (or that interdental brushes are used) twice a day, every day. When people do not keep this up, food can remain stuck between the teeth which can cause a bad smell.
Insufficient standards of oral hygiene also allow bacteria to build up in the mouth, which allows plaque to develop. If the plaque then remains on the teeth and gums, gum disease is more likely and this will also cause the breath to smell bad. Seeing the dentist for check-ups and a professional clean can help to remove plaque and prevent gum disease.
Health issues
On some occasions, smelly breath is an indicator of something wrong with a person’s health. For example, it has been said that bad breath can be an indicator for heart disease. It can also suggest an issue with the sinuses, liver, kidneys and so on. If there is any doubt about the cause of smelly breath, it’s well worth visiting the GP to get some help.
Great article about things that people should avoid if they don't want to have bad breath! And this article points out more specifically what products you should avoid, gives reasons why they should be avoided and also points out the health risks on having bad breath besides it being uncomfortable! Thank you for sharing these helpful tips!
ReplyDeleteBest regards,
Anna