Many people have had similar troubles: even though they brush their teeth in the morning and evening every day and have no obvious discomfort in their mouths, as soon as they open their mouths, they always feel that the smell they exhale is not “fresh” enough, and are even gently reminded by people around them from time to time that “their breath is not good”. This situation is not only embarrassing, but also often leaves people confused and at a loss as to where to start.
Constant bad breath might be caused by these reasons
One of the reasons is the gaps between teeth and tartar. A toothbrush is the most fundamental tool in daily cleaning, but its ability to clean the gaps between teeth is very limited. If dental floss or water flossers are not used for a long time, food debris is likely to accumulate in the gaps between teeth, providing a continuous supply of “nutrients” for bacteria. These bacteria will break down protein-like substances and release volatile sulfides with pungent odors, gradually forming bad breath. As time goes by, the dental plaque in the gaps between teeth will gradually calcify, forming hard tartar, which can cause redness, swelling and bleeding of the gums, and even lead to widening of the gaps between teeth and further aggravation of bad breath.
Secondly, the coating on the tongue can also easily cause bad breath. Many people brush their teeth very carefully, but they neglect the cleanliness of their tongues, especially the back of the tongue – this is one of the areas where bacteria gather most densely.
These bacteria can also break down the residual proteins on the tongue surface, releasing volatile sulfides with a “rotten egg smell” such as hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan. If the tongue coating is not cleaned for a long time, even if the teeth are brushed very clean, it is difficult to keep the breath fresh.
Apart from teeth and the tongue, there are many “hygiene blind spots” in the oral cavity that are easily overlooked. For instance, tooth decay, especially cavities that are not treated in time, often accumulates food debris and serves as a breeding ground for bacteria to produce unpleasant odors. Wisdom teeth, especially those that are not properly positioned, do not fully emerge and have blind pockets, are more prone to dirt accumulation, causing repeated gum inflammation and food impaction. Dentures, whether removable or fixed, can also become a breeding ground for plaque accumulation if they are used for a long time without proper cleaning.
These areas are often overlooked and they may also cause more serious oral problems, such as pain and infection.
In addition, modern people have a fast-paced life. Long-term staying up late, high mental stress and insufficient water intake can all affect the normal secretion of saliva. Saliva plays a crucial role in washing away bacteria in the mouth. When saliva secretion decreases, bacteria can multiply rapidly, leading to unpleasant odors.
In addition, behaviors such as mouth breathing and snoring while sleeping can also exacerbate oral dryness, making the originally hidden problem of bad breath even more obvious. Bad breath may also be a disease signal
Although the most common cause of bad breath does indeed come from the oral cavity itself, in clinical practice, there are also some cases related to systemic diseases.
For instance, respiratory problems such as chronic sinusitis, pharyngitis and tonsil stones can indirectly affect oral odor through the nasopharynx. Metabolic diseases such as diabetes, abnormal liver function and renal failure are often accompanied by special exhaled odors. Acute or chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, gastrointestinal metabolic disorders, constipation and other gastrointestinal diseases can also emit unpleasant odors with breathing.
These odors are not directly caused by bacteria but are “by-products” of the body’s metabolic products during the breathing process. Therefore, if you have already undergone systematic oral treatment (including teeth cleaning, filling, etc.) but still have persistent bad breath, it is recommended that you seek medical attention for a comprehensive examination to rule out potential causes throughout your body.
It must be said that there is another group of people who deserve special attention – they do not really have bad breath, but they have been overly concerned about it for a long time, and even dare not communicate with others and are reluctant to get close to them, gradually developing social disorders. This situation is called bad breath phobia.
It is essentially a psychological disorder, often accompanied by anxiety disorder or social phobia. For such people, merely brushing teeth or visiting the dentist cannot solve the fundamental problem. Professional psychological intervention and support are needed. It is recommended to seek the help of a psychiatrist or a psychological counselor.
These points must be followed to deal with bad breath scientifically
Strengthening daily cleaning, regular oral examinations and improving lifestyle are several points that should be done to scientifically deal with bad breath. Eliminating breeding grounds for bacteria, regular oral check-ups, identifying potential causes, and having an oral examination at least once a year, along with regular treatment for oral diseases, including teeth cleaning, are the basic tasks for maintaining oral hygiene and preventing bad breath.
It could be the result of inadequate oral hygiene or an “early sign” of some systemic disease. More importantly, in most cases, bad breath can be improved – as long as we pay enough attention to it, from the gaps between teeth, the tongue, tooth decay, diet to lifestyle, we can gradually check and adjust, and the “breath” will become fresher and fresher.
Even if it’s just spending a few more minutes using dental floss or rinsing your mouth after meals, the persistence in these small details will, in an imperceptible way, make your mouth healthier and give you more confidence when communicating, rather than just your tone.
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