You know that moment when you lean towards a cute girl to kiss her on her cheek and she discreetly withdraws? Then, you might be suffering from bad breath, which is a common issue in both men and women, as 15% of all people suffer from it. The problem with bad breath is that it is hard to know you have it, until someone points it out. The reasons behind this condition called halitosis are many, from disease to bad habits.
Improper dental hygiene
The first culprit for a foul breath is improper dental hygiene. According to dentists from Soho Smile you should be brushing twice a day, for two minutes. Make sure you brush by pulling your gums up, in a slow, firm motion. This will help massage your gums and remove the bacteria which builds at the base of the teeth. Remember to floss, especially when you can’t brush right after eating.
Headache problems
If you suffer from frequent headaches and you have bad breathe you might actually have a sinus infection. Your nose and mouth communicate, so a sinus infection can lead to bad breathe due to bacteria buildup. Apart from the headache, the symptoms of a sinus infection are a runny nose, fever and shortness of breath. If you suspect you have an infection or other type of respiratory infection, you should see a doctor about it, as these conditions need to be treated properly to avoid complications.
You are on a diet
Saliva controls the amount of bacteria in your mouth, so when you have a dry mouth, you can develop bad breath. This happens when you don’t eat for long periods of time and when you are dehydrated. Certain diets, like the Keto Diet or the Paleo diet also lead to a foul smell in your mouth. Paleo diet is a high protein diet and a high protein intake can cause an increase in the ammonia level in your body, leading to bad breath. The Keto diet forces your body to produce ketones. One of them, acetone, is being removed by the body in the form of urine and breath, causing bad breath.
To avoid having a dry mouth you can drink more water and make sure you snack on healthy foods. If you are on the Keto or Paleo diet, drinking more water also helps, but you can try to talk to your doctor about how to minimize this side effect.
Acid reflux
People who have acid reflux often have halitosis as well, because the acid from the stomach travels back into the mouth during the acid reflux episodes. This condition can be due to a specific lifestyle or diet, being an inflammation of the esophagus. Because the acid that comes from your stomach is very corrosive, acid reflux can lead to tooth decay, which can make the halitosis even worse.
Bad breath is a common problem, but there are plenty of ways to get rid of it. First, you need to make sure you are in top shape, as several health conditions lead to halitosis. Second, make sure you follow a proper dental hygiene routine. If you have any doubts, see your dentist for more advice on how to care for your smile.
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