What Is Bad Breath, Why Does It Occur?

Halitosis is the name given to an odor that comes from the mouth and is usually very irritating. Bad breath is caused by the effect of gases produced by microbes in the mouth. Bad breath spreads with the air coming out of the person's mouth and often creates a very offensive odor.

Bad breath can occur for a variety of reasons. For example, gases produced by microbes in the mouth can cause bad breath. In addition, tooth decay or infection of the gums in the mouth can also cause bad breath.

Among the causes of bad breath, the most common causes are:

  1. Bacteria in the mouth: The most common cause of bad breath is bacteria in the mouth. Bacteria in the mouth multiply on the cavities and plaques in the mouth with food, and these bacteria produce various gases. Bad breath is produced by these gases.

  2. Smoking: Smoking is a factor that increases bad breath. Bacteria in the mouths of smokers multiply much more, and these bacteria also produce more gas. Therefore, smokers have more bad breath.

  3. Foods in the mouth: Foods in the mouth can also increase bad breath. For example, spicy foods and meats increase bad breath, while fruits and vegetables reduce bad breath.

  4. Insufficient oral hygiene: Insufficient oral hygiene is also a factor that increases bad breath. Not brushing and flossing regularly causes bacteria in the mouth to multiply and produce gas. Therefore, inadequate oral hygiene also increases bad breath.

You can apply the following suggestions to prevent bad breath:

  1. Pay attention to mouth cleaning: Paying attention to mouth cleaning is one of the most effective methods in preventing bad breath. Brush and floss your teeth regularly. Also, brush your tongue and use a mouthwash to keep your mouth fresh all the time.

  2. Do not smoke: Smoking is a factor that increases bad breath. Bacteria in the mouths of smokers multiply much more, and these bacteria also produce more gas. Therefore, smokers have more bad breath. You can reduce bad breath by not smoking.

  3. Consume less high-sugar foods: High-sugar foods cause the bacteria in the mouth to multiply and produce gas. For this reason, you can reduce bad breath by consuming foods containing high sugar less.

  4. Remove bruises in the mouth: Caries in the mouth are a factor that increases bad breath. Therefore, remove the cavities in the mouth and protect your oral health.

  5. Choose foods in the mouth carefully: Foods in the mouth can also increase bad breath. For example, spicy foods and meats increase bad breath, while fruits and vegetables reduce bad breath. You can reduce bad breath by choosing the foods carefully. For example, you should be careful that foods in the mouth do not contain very high sugar. You can also choose low-sugar foods instead of fruits and vegetables. In this way, you can reduce bad breath by reducing the proliferation of bacteria in the mouth.

  6. Other suggestions for the prevention of bad breath include regularly checking the health of the mouth and teeth and keeping the dentures in the mouth clean. Also, have the dental prostheses in the mouth checked for proper fitting. Improper fitting of dentures can cause bacteria in the mouth to multiply and produce gas. For this reason, you can reduce bad breath by checking whether the dentures are fitted properly.

As a result, bad breath is a problem that people often bother with, and it occurs through the gases produced by the bacteria in the mouth. In order to prevent bad breath, recommendations such as paying attention to oral hygiene, not smoking, consuming foods containing high sugar less, removing cavities in the mouth and choosing the foods in the mouth carefully can be applied. Also, have your oral and dental health checked regularly and keep the dentures in the mouth clean. In this way, you can protect your oral health by reducing bad breath.