A Surprising Cause of Bad Breath… It Could Be Because You Don't Wash 'This Place'

Bad breath (halitosis) is caused by physiological factors such as decreased saliva secretion and certain diseases. Saliva prevents the mouth from drying out and blocks bad breath through its antibacterial action. This is because enzymes called lysozyme and lactoferrin found in saliva dissolve the cell walls of bacteria, thereby inhibiting the proliferation of microorganisms.

 

Saliva secretion typically decreases when meal times are irregular or when engaging in physical activity without eating for a long time. Conditions such as tonsillitis, tonsil stones, peptic ulcers, and gastritis also cause severe bad breath. Furthermore, poor oral hygiene allows bacteria to multiply in the mouth, exacerbating the bad breath.

Bacteria in the mouth produce volatile sulfur compounds as they break down amino acids and proteins contained in food debris, saliva, and blood. However, if you have severe bad breath despite having no apparent physical abnormalities... what could be the reason? And what are the ways to improve it? We investigated this based on data from the U.S. portal Yahoo.com.

 

Tongue cleaning

 

If you suspect bad breath, it is a good idea to stick out your tongue in front of a mirror. Check to see if your entire tongue has turned white. If so, bacteria are covering your tongue. Be sure to clean your tongue thoroughly when brushing your teeth. A toothbrush is fine, but you can purchase tools specifically designed for cleaning the tongue at a pharmacy.

 

Chewing sugar-free gum

 

Eating green onions or garlic leaves bad breath until the next day. Conversely, there are foods that mask the odor regardless of what you eat. According to dental specialists, dried parsley is the best of them. Its powerful oil components suppress bad odors.

Cinnamon and spearmint also have similar benefits. However, you can't exactly carry parsley or cinnamon around in your pocket. In that case, chewing sugar-free gum is the solution. Chewing gum not only masks bad breath but also stimulates saliva production, which is advantageous for fighting bacteria.

 

Quitting smoking

 

People who smoke generally have severe bad breath. This is because smoking dries out the mouth. While brushing your teeth may get rid of the smell of cigarettes smoked just moments ago, overall bad breath can only be improved by quitting smoking.

Reduce coffee

Just like cigarettes, drinking coffee dries out the mouth, which can worsen bad breath. Reduce your coffee intake to about one cup a day. Dental specialists advise, “Instead, consciously drink plenty of water.”

 

Checking mouthwash ingredients

 

If you notice bad breath, you tend to keep mouthwash in your bathroom as well as your makeup pouch. However, according to experts, alcohol-based mouthwashes do not eliminate bad breath but actually worsen it. This is because they dry out the mouth. Another reason is that as the oral environment becomes acidic, saliva is unable to perform its natural protective function. Be sure to check the ingredients of your mouthwash.

 

 

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It seems like there is a wide variety of tongue cleaners these days.

Rather than brushing with a toothbrush

I found that using a tongue cleaner is more effective.

 

Try making it a habit to rinse your mouth after brushing your teeth.