5 Causes Of Bad Breath & What Can You Do About It

Apart from poor oral hygiene and gum diseases, there are many other reasons why someone else's breath smells funny. Halitosis or chronic bad breath could a warning sign for a  more serious health problem inside. Don't take it lightly! 

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How Do You Know That You Have Bad Breath?
1.  Lick the inside of your wrist, wait for it to dry and smell it.
2. Cover your mouth and let out a Big Ha! Next, breathe.
3. Awkwardly, someone musters the courage to let you know.

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What Causes It?

• Food
  

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  Acid-forming foods, such as sugar and protein. They will make friends, hang around in your mouth, teeth, gum, everywhere and start breaking down, giving off a weird type of smell called bad breath. They will sneak in between gaps in your teeth and start making out. Garlic, Onions, Spicy Foods, Tuna, Fish, Coffee & Other Beverages cause bad breath too. This is why you should brush your teeth and gargle after every meal. This will remove most of the food stuck on your teeth and make sure less is left to stink up your mouth.

• Mints/Sweets
  

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Sugar-rich candies can temporarily mask your bad breath but it also makes it worse. Most people use mints as a quick fix but wherever possible, use sugar-free chews or mint! When you chew onto sugar-free candies, it will also help with dry mouth.

• Stomach Problem

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If you have excellent oral hygiene and super clean teeth, you don't understand why your breath smells bad. Well, maybe it's a sign for you to check your food choices and the condition of your stomach. Bad breath that stems from digestive problems is described as a rotten eggs smell caused by gut microbiota breaking down sulfur, releasing an eggy-smelling gas. A common caused of this type of bad breath is GERD or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Improper dieting and unhealthy habits can cause such a problem. So naturally, when you eat right and take care of your stomach, the condition should improve

• Tobacco
  

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  Tobacco on its own creates a type of odour that is strong. Over time, it might become an internal problem rather than an external one. It also leads to dry mouth, which on its own create an unpleasant odour. So, reduce usage of tobacco for cleaner whiter teeth and better smelling breath. You might find yourself having more friends too when you start smelling good!

• Infections or chronic inflammation of the nose, sinuses or throat also causes temporary bad breath.

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  Bacteria feed on the mucus produced in your body, so keep up with good dental hygiene and the bad breath will go away on its own.

• Dry Mouth

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  Saliva is good for us and we want to avoid a sticky, dry or even burning sensation in the mouth. This condition is common for people who are fasting, don't drink enough water. Some common causes are also nervousness, stress, certain medications, ageing and cancer therapy.

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Drink more water, gargle in your mouth frequently will help with the situation. Limit your caffeine intake and tobacco consumption will reap almost instant effect as those substances dry up the mouth. Reduce usage of mouth-rinse with alcohol will also help make it better.

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Even birds are taking care of its oral hygiene,

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We care about girls, women and everything that goes on inside and around us.  Take care of your oral health, be brave and share this article with your friends today!

Text by: Girlsdaily SG