8 Reasons Why You Have Bad Breath

A friend once told me about an experience he had that I found pretty funny. It was at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the WHO recommended the use of facemasks as a preventive measure for everyone.

My friend told me he did not realise that he had bad breath all along. He had only discovered it because of the pandemic and the use of facemask consistently. He said  that the first day he wore a face mask, when he spoke with his face mask on,he realised he did not like the smell of his own breath, it was pungent.

It was something I had never noticed while relating with him though, maybe I had never gotten close enough. He admitted to me that he felt embarrassed at the discovery, and wondered if the people close to him had only been enduring all along. I found it funny, because, who would have thought COVID-19 would reveal other health issues like halitosis (bad breath).

We have all encountered someone with bad breath and often, their breath seems to take our breath away. We probably have all had awkward moments of wishing a conversation would end already because of the unpleasant smell emanating when the person we are conversing with opens their mouth. The sad part though, is that most times, a lot of people with bad breath have no idea that their breath smells bad, and may never do anything about it, unless someone tells them. This is why we all need to be conscious of our oral health.

WHAT IS BAD BREATH?

Bad breath, medically called halitosis is a persistent unpleasant odor in exhaled breath, which sometimes may not be serious.

WHAT CAUSES BAD BREATH?

There are many possible causes of bad breath. These may include:

1. Food; The breakdown of food particles in and around your teeth can increase bacteria and cause bad odor. Also, foods like onions, garlic, and some spices can be a cause,
2. Smoking; which can cause gum disease and by extension, bad breath.
3. Poor oral hygiene; If you don’t brush and floss daily, food particles can remain in your mouth, causing bad breath. The tongue can also gather bacteria and cause a bad smell if not properly cleaned. 
4. Dry mouth; Saliva helps cleanse the mouth, but some people’s mouths are unusually dry, and this can become a source of bad breath
5. Medications/drugs; Some drugs are broken down in the body to release chemicals that can be carried in your breath and cause bad breath
6. Mouth infections; like mouth sores, wounds from oral surgery, e.g teeth removal, tooth decay etc
7. Other nose and throat conditions; Infections of the nose, sinuses or throat can also cause bad breath
8. Other medical causes, such as diseases like cancer, gastro-esophageal reflux disease, etc

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

Some of the symptoms and signs that show you may have bad breath, and or poor oral health include:

1. A white coating on the tongue, especially at the back of the tongue
2. A dry mouth
3. Build up around to teeth
4. Post nasal drop or mucus
5. Morning bad breath and a burning tongue
6. Thick saliva and a constant need to clear your throat
7. Constant sour bitter, or metallic taste in the mouth

Sometimes, it may be helpful to ask a close friend or relative about how your breath smells, because it may be hard or misleading to assess it yourself.

HOW TO PREVENT BAD BREATH

The general key to preventing bad breath is to ensure a consistent practice of proper oral hygiene. This entails:

1. Brushing at least twice a day
2. Brushing after you eat
3. Flossing at least once a day
4. Cleaning your tongue properly
5. Cleaning dentures/dental appliances properly
6. Avoiding a dry mouth, by;

1.  Avoiding tobacco, 
2. Drinking plenty of water
3. Chewing gum or sucking on candy

      7.  Adjusting your diet, e.g limiting the  consumption of foods like garlic, onion, and excessively sugary foods

      8. Changing your toothbrush regularly

      9. Regular dental check ups (at least twice a year)

WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR

If you have done all the above and you still have bad breath, it may be time to see a doctor. You can take advantage of the flexicare health insurance plan to cover for the dental bills. Sign up here. If your dentist suspects a more serious cause of your bad breath, he/she may refer you to a physician to find the cause. Further treatment will then depend on the cause.

Proper care of the mouth and teeth, and regular visits to the dentist are important and are the most effective way to ensure oral health. My friend had to adjust his oral practices, and that was enough for him, subsequently I believe he liked the way his breath smelled when he spoke behind his mask. 

So, if you don’t like the way your breath smells behind your mask or anyone draws it to your notice, the solution is not in covering up the problem, don’t just rush off to become the next customer of that mint candy, fresh breath candy/gum, mouth spray or mouthwash producers. Those things have their place but it is important to deal with the underlying cause by ensuring proper oral hygiene. When you’ve done that, then you can make your breath even fresher by using those other products. Your future self will thank you when you still have strong teeth in old age.