3 Surprising Causes of Bad Breath & How to Prevent It

Maintaining good oral hygiene is not only essential for a sparkling smile but also for overall well-being. Bad breath, or halitosis, can be embarrassing and often caused by not caring for your teeth or oral health. The effects of bad breath go beyond the stench, impacting one's self-esteem and even contributing to mental health issues. When people worry that others will judge or treat them differently because of bad breath, it can make them anxious and want to avoid social situations. In this article, we'll look at three surprising things that can make your breath smell bad and discuss ways to stop it. 

Causes of Bad Breath

Behind every problem, there is an underlying cause. The causes of bad breath can be many. Let us look at three surprising causes of bad breath and how to prevent them:

1. The Link Between Your Stomach and Bad Breath:
   When we think about bad breath, we usually blame it on not brushing our teeth enough. But many people don't know about another meaningful connection between our stomach and breath. The food we eat affects the bacteria in our stomach, creating smelly gases that make our breath not so fresh. Sometimes, stomach acid can enter our throat, leaving a bitter taste and adding to the bad breath. 
2. Prevention tip:
   To tackle this surprising cause, try eating foods with probiotics (good bacteria) and drinking lots of water. Fibre foods can also help digestion and reduce the chance of bad breath.
3. Unexpected Effects of Medicines:
   Some medicines, even ones unrelated to your mouth, can surprisingly affect your breath. Many medications can dry your mouth by reducing saliva, which helps clean your mouth. When there's not enough saliva, bacteria grow, making your breath smell bad. If you think your medicine is causing this, talk to the doctor. They might change your dose, suggest a different medicine, or recommend products to make more saliva. 
4. Prevention tip:
   Maintaining good oral habits, like brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash without alcohol, is also essential to fight medicine-related bad breath.
5. Feeling Stressed? It Could Affect Your Breath. Here’s How:
   Our emotions can impact our bodies unexpectedly, and stress or anxiety might make your breath not-so-fresh. When we're stressed, our bodies produce more cortisol, which can lead to less spit (saliva) in our mouths. Less spit means more bacteria, and that can cause bad breath. Stress can also make people forget to brush their teeth, worsening the problem. 
6. Prevention tip:
   To tackle stress-related lousy breath, try doing things to relax, like deep breathing or yoga. Finding a good balance between work and personal time is essential, too. Talking to someone you trust or a professional can make a big difference in your mental health and breathing if things get tough.

Home Remedies for the Prevention of Bad Breath

Besides addressing the specific causes mentioned above, incorporating these home remedies into your daily routine can help in maintaining fresh breath:

1. Oil Pulling: Swishing a tablespoon of coconut or sesame oil in your mouth for 15-20 minutes can help reduce bacteria and plaque, promoting better oral hygiene.
2. Green Tea: Consuming green tea, rich in antioxidants, can help combat bacteria and reduce the likelihood of bad breath.
3. Probiotics: Adding probiotic-rich foods, such as yoghourt and kefir, can promote a healthy balance of bacteria in the mouth and digestive system.
4. Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps to wash away bacteria and food particles in your mouth, reducing the chances of bad breath. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water a day.
5. Crunch on Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables: Snacking on crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, and celery can help clean your teeth and increase saliva production, reducing the risk of bad breath.
6. Limit Sugary Foods: Bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar, releasing acids that can cause bad breath. Cut down on sugary snacks and beverages to keep your mouth environment less favourable for these bacteria.
7. Use a Tongue Scraper: Bacteria can accumulate on your tongue and contribute to bad breath. Using a tongue scraper can help remove these bacteria and keep your breath fresher.
8. Chew Sugar-Free Gum: Chewing sugar-free gum stimulates saliva production, which helps wash away bacteria and food particles. Choose a gum with xylitol, a sugar substitute that can inhibit the growth of bacteria in the mouth.
9. Maintain Regular Dental Check-ups: Schedule regular visits with expert dental professionals for cleanings and check-ups. A dentist can identify and address oral health issues before they contribute to bad breath.
10. Quit Smoking: If you smoke, consider quitting. Smoking not only stains your teeth but also dries out your mouth, increasing the likelihood of bad breath. Quitting smoking can improve both your oral health and the freshness of your breath.

Takeaways

To sum it up, taking care of your teeth isn't just about a bright smile; it's crucial for your overall well-being. Bad breath can affect how you feel about yourself and even impact your mental health. You can prevent bad breath by understanding and dealing with surprising causes like the connection between your stomach and your breath, unexpected medication effects, and stress. A healthy mouth doesn't just mean good breath; it's essential for overall health and confidence. Follow these tips for a sparkling smile and well-being. Consult a dental expert for professional help at Meeraz Clinic in Mumbai, a cosmetic care facility providing specialised treatments for hair, skin, and dental issues, along with laser procedures to revitalise the skin and reinstate a more youthful look.