5 unexpected reasons for bad breath, how to prevent it

When it comes to bad breath, many people think it is not a problem and it can be solved by rinsing the mouth and brushing the teeth. In fact, in addition to poor oral hygiene causing bad breath, there are some surprising reasons. The American "Life Sciences Website" recently invited Dr. Jeffrey Spiegel, an otolaryngologist, to make a special summary of this.

5 unexpected causes of bad breath

1. Tooth decay

Once certain types of bacteria take root and multiply on the teeth, they form plaque in the mouth and must be removed by a dental professional. This plaque not only causes cavities and tooth decay, but also causes bad breath. So if you have long-term bad breath, it is best to see a dentist to rule out these possibilities.

2. Sinus infection

Foul-smelling secretions in your nasal passages can also cause bad breath. Sinus infections, certain types of bacteria present in the nose and sinus cavities may also cause a foul odor. Rinsing your nasal cavity with saline solution can help relieve this type of bad breath. But if this problem persists, it’s time to see an ENT specialist.

3. Tonsil stones

Tonsils are located at the back of the throat and are shaped like a plum with cracks in it, where bacteria can accumulate. If enough microorganisms and food debris accumulate, tonsil stones can form. These stones have a bad smell and can cause bad breath. If your tonsils are large enough and you frequently develop stones, you may consider a minor surgery to remove the stones. If the bad breath caused by it is very serious, you may consider having tonsillectomy.

4. Dietary issues

Foods like garlic and onions can cause bad breath, but it's not the food residue left in the mouth that causes bad breath. Take garlic as an example. Garlic contains smelly chemicals. Once absorbed by blood cells, the smell will be expelled through the lungs. Therefore, the bad smell is the actual smell emitted by the body, not the breath in the mouth. In this case, you can either wait out the odor, mask it with mints or mouthwash, or avoid eating the food altogether.

5. Acid Reflux

Stomach problems can also cause bad breath. The main route is through acid reflux, which is the backflow of stomach acid and other stomach contents from the stomach into the esophagus. This type of bad breath can be treated with antacids and other medications.

How to Prevent Bad Breath
1. First of all, we must pay attention to maintenance. Keep a regular routine, eat in moderation, eat less snacks, eat more vegetables, fruits and light and easily digestible food, do not smoke, drink less beverages and alcohol, and drink more boiled water or light green tea;
2. Exercise and improve your physical fitness. At the same time, pay attention to oral hygiene. Brush your teeth in the morning, evening and after meals, rinse your mouth after eating, and rinse your mouth frequently with tea, light salt water, or chlorhexidine-containing mouthwash.
3. If it is caused by systemic diseases or diseases of the five senses such as sinusitis, rhinitis, laryngitis, internal medicine and gynecology should be actively treated. People who suffer from chronic oral diseases such as caries, residual crowns, periodontal disease, and pericoronitis should go to the dental department for treatment in time. Once the cause is eliminated, bad breath will naturally disappear.

4. For people with weak constitution, they may be deficient in vitamin B6 and trace element zinc. They can take 20 mg of vitamin B6 tablets orally, 3 times a day; to supplement zinc, they can eat more zinc-rich foods. Such as lean meat, fish, eggs, liver, blood, shellfish, walnuts and peanuts. For bad breath caused by Helicobacter pylori, you can take 40 mg of allicin capsules 3 times a day. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that bad breath is caused by gastrointestinal dampness and heat, excessive stomach fire, and ascending stomach fire. Huoxiang Qingwei Tablets can be used to clear away heat and remove fire, which has the effect of curing the disease.
5. In addition, chew sugar-free gum frequently. It helps to remove food debris between teeth and soft plaque on the tooth surface, which is a good way to prevent and treat bad breath.