Introduction
In the case of bad breath, which has its origin in the oral cavity, the restoration of the dentition is an option. In order to eliminate bad breath, oral hygiene must be intensified and the prosthetic work as well as the interdental spaces must be kept free of food residues and plaque. In the case of oral causes, it is the task of the specialist or family doctor to identify and treat the diseases. If these measures are carried out consistently, anyone can eliminate bad breath. Everyone is responsible for the intake of food and stimulants.
What to do against bad breath?
In general, bad breath due to systemic causes is more difficult to eliminate than that caused by local factors. The most important tip in this context is probably the self-assessment of one’s own oral hygiene, which, however, does not only depend on quantity (frequency), but above all on quality (care). In order to eliminate bad breath, teeth should ideally be brushed before going to bed, after breakfast and after lunch.
At least once a day, the spaces between the teeth should be completely cleaned of food residues and plaque. For this purpose the use of interdental space brushes or dental floss is recommended. Since the back of the tongue is also a source of countless bacteria that can cause bad breath, another tip is to clean the back of the tongue at least once a day to remove plaque.
Furthermore, the use of special mouth rinsing solutions is considered a tip for the long-term elimination of bad breath. These solutions should be used about 2-3 times in a row and left in the oral cavity for at least 30 seconds each time. On the one hand, most mouth rinsing solutions contain active ingredients that reduce the number of bacteria within the oral cavity, and on the other hand, they provide better moistening of the oral mucosa.
Since the development of bad breath is often based on the drying of the oral mucosa, mouth rinsing solutions can help to effectively eliminate bad odors when used regularly. Chewing chewing gums, for example, is also helpful. On the one hand, they refresh the breath for a short time and, on the other hand, help to moisten the mucous membranes by stimulating the salivary glands.
People who frequently suffer from bad breath should avoid strong smelling foods as far as possible. Especially the ingredients contained in garlic and onions stimulate the formation of malodorous gases and thus promote the development of bad breath. In order to eliminate bad breath in the long term, foods that contain a lot of garlic or onions should therefore not be eaten.
One of the most frequently used tips in the treatment of halitosis is special mouth rinsing solutions with xylitol powder. This powder robs a certain bacterium (Staphyloccocus mutans) of vital nutrients and starves the bacterium to some extent. In this way, an improved oral flora ensures that bad breath can be eliminated.
Bad breath does not usually return with regular use of the xylitol powder. Mouthwashing or sucking menthol-flavoured sweets or using chewing gum only masks bad breath, but does not eliminate the cause of bad breath. This also applies to tablets containing chlorophyll.
In the case of garlic odor, chewing parsley or drinking milk is recommended, both with dubious effects for serious elimination. Bad breath can often be relieved by home remedies. Certain herbs, vegetables and fruits are particularly suitable to prevent bad breath.
- Ginger, which is cut into thin slices and placed on the back of the tongue, provides fresh breath after a few minutes.
- Beyond that also chewing some parsley leaves is to help to eliminate bad breath. The reason for this is the apiol contained in parsley. Another tip against bad breath is lemon juice that should be drizzled on the tongue or drunk with a sip of mineral water.
- Basically one guesses/advises concerning the general, frequent consumption of black tea, whose contents materials (particularly so-called Polyphenole) affect restraining the bacterial growth in the oral cavity.
In this way, the concentration of metabolic end products of these pathogens also decreases.
- In addition, regular mouthwashes with sage tea are considered suitable for eliminating bad breath.
The treatment of bad breath should also be based primarily on the cause of its development. Basically, the general, frequent consumption of black tea is recommended to those affected, as its ingredients (especially so-called polyphenols) have an inhibiting effect on the growth of bacteria in the oral cavity. In this way, the concentration of metabolic end products (excretions) of these pathogens also decreases, which not only leads to the development of bad breath but also to the formation of carious defects and/or inflammatory processes.
Black tea therefore has two positive effects on oral hygiene and dental health. In addition, regular mouthwashes with sage tea help to combat foul-smelling breath. A special mouthrinse with xylitol powder is frequently used in the treatment of bad breath.
This powder robs a certain bacterium (Staphyloccocus mutans) of vital nutrients, so it starves the bacterium to a certain extent and thus ensures a good oral flora. Bad breath does not usually return with regular use of the xylitol powder. In extreme cases, treatment with diluted hydrogen peroxide solution can be used.
A tablespoon of the hydrogen peroxide is diluted in about a glass of water and then used for gargling. This solution should also be applied about 2-3 times in a row for at least 30 seconds each time. If the cause of the bad breath is within the oral cavity, it is recommended to visit a dentist.
The dentist can locate the source of the bad odors with relatively simple means. In many patients, carious defects must be removed to eliminate the bad breath and a tooth filling must be made. Others suffer from inflammatory processes in the area of the gums (lat.
gingivitis) and/or the periodontal apparatus (lat. periodontitis). These patients can be helped by a more or less extensive professional tooth cleaning.
In case of advanced processes a so-called open or closed curettage may be necessary. In order to eliminate bad breath permanently, the cause must be found and eliminated. However, since the reasons for an unpleasant odor from the mouth are very numerous, an expert should be consulted here.
Household remedies only help to find a permanent solution if they are used specifically against the known problem. The cause can be not only in the oral cavity, but also in the throat or even in the stomach. Examples of this are: Periodontitis, tooth decay, tonsillitis or diverticula (bulge in the esophagus in which chyme gets stuck and is therefore digested in the wrong place).
