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We all suffer from a bad taste in the mouth or bad breath from time to time. In the morning when you wake up or after eating onion or garlic, for example. Drinking alcohol, smoking and possible tonsil stones also give you less fresh breath. Some people experience unpleasant breath odour more often. This can feel very unpleasant when engaging in social activities. But what causes bad breath?
“Why does my breath smell bad even after brushing?”, is a common question. Do you suffer from bad breath even after brushing? This is also known as halitosis. If you have eaten or drunk something that causes foul breath, you suffer from temporary halitosis. Some people suffer from bad breath all day long. This can happen without them even realising it. Such chronic bad breath is called halitosis. About 15 per cent of people suffer from it.
Many people think that the stomach is the cause of bad breath. But in more than 90 per cent of cases, it is due to a problem in the mouth. Often it is mainly due to the tongue coating, which is the yellow or white layer on your tongue that is largely made up of bacteria. Bacteria create unpleasant gases that lead to bad breath. Especially at the back of the tongue, where you have deeper grooves, bacteria can nestle well. Bacteria also accumulate in other areas of the mouth throughout the day along with saliva and food particles. This is called plaque.
If you don’t brush properly or clean between the teeth, you can suffer from inflammation that causes bad breath. Other causes of bad breath even after brushing teeth can include medicine use, tonsil stones or a partially erupted wisdom tooth.
With poor oral hygiene, you get cavities, gum disease and inflammation that cause bad breath. It is therefore important to brush properly, including between your teeth. To do this, you can use toothpicks, dental floss or interdental brushes. To avoid wear and tear, it is best to replace your toothbrush every three months.
The bacteria in your mouth make less gases when you eat or drink something. If you have dry mouth, this can cause or worsen bad breath. Drink water, tea or drinks without sugar regularly to prevent dry mouth and wash away bacteria.
Smoking also causes dry mouth and bad breath. Your mouth produces less saliva which can eventually lead to chronic bad breath.
Almond stones are small white lumps or mineral deposits at the back of your throat. They are basically harmless but will give you bad breath. If leftover food remains in your mouth, bacteria are more likely to get to the back of your throat. Good oral hygiene helps prevent tonsil stones.
Foods such as onion, garlic and certain herbs and spices can cause temporary bad breath. Other common culprits are alcohol and coffee. Chewing gum can help reduce the smell of bad breath.
If you suffer from a poorly closing sphincter between your oesophagus and stomach, unpleasant-smelling air can escape from your stomach. Smoking can also weaken this sphincter a little.
The grooves of your tongue hold a lot of bacteria that form gases. Sometimes you can also see a white or yellow deposit on the back of the tongue. This deposit consists mainly of bacteria. With a gel and a tongue cleaner, you can clean your tongue properly without damaging it.
First of all, drink enough water throughout the day to prevent dry mouth. In addition, good oral hygiene is very important for fresh breath. Dentists’ advice is to brush twice a day for about two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste. You can use brushes, toothpicks or floss to clean well between your teeth. Keep your tongue clean with a gel and tongue cleaner.
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Frequently asked questions
Why does my breath stink even after brushing my teeth?
Often, poor oral hygiene is the cause of persistent stinky breath after brushing your teeth. Prevent bacteria from building up between your teeth, on your tongue or at the back of your throat.
How can I fight stinky breath after brushing?
Good oral hygiene helps fight bad breath. This means brushing well, including between the teeth, keeping your tongue nice and clean and using a mouthwash if necessary.
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