Does your mouth smell bad? (Halitosis) Let's talk about the causes and remedies!

Have you ever eaten a dish made with a lot of onions or garlic and wondered about the smell that comes out of your mouth afterwards? Or the unpleasant smell that comes out of your mouth when you wake up in the morning? It's actually normal to have a slight bad breath at times like these. However, if you continue to have bad breath no matter how much you brush your teeth and keep your mouth clean, it's something to be concerned about. In medicine, we call this condition "halitosis." Although this is usually not a sign of a serious illness, sometimes it can be a sign of a problem in our mouth or a medical condition elsewhere in the body.

How do you know exactly if you have bad breath?

This is the biggest problem. It's hard for us to know exactly what our own breath smells like. Even if we put our hand to our mouth and blow on it, we won't be able to tell exactly what it smells like. The best and easiest way is to ask a friend or family member you trust very politely. It's nothing to be ashamed of.

If you can't hear that, there's another thing to consider. If you constantly feel an unpleasant, bitter taste in your mouth, it's likely that you have a bad breath that others can smell.

Bad breath can come in many forms.

• Sometimes it can be like the smell of a cup of coffee you just drank.
• Other times, it may smell like spoiled fish or rotten eggs.
• Some people have a sour smell, while others have a surprisingly sweet smell. Each of these smells gives us some clues as to why.

Why does our mouth smell bad? What are the main reasons?

There is not one reason for bad breath, there can be many reasons. But about 90% of the time, the cause lies inside our mouth. Let's see what the main reasons are. I have arranged this in this way to make it easier for you to understand.

How does a doctor detect this?

If you have a persistent problem with bad breath, the first thing you should do is see a dentist. He or she will examine your mouth.

• They check the smell of your breath.
• They check for gum disease, cavities, and signs of gum disease.
• The tongue is examined.

Most of the time, the cause lies in the mouth itself. If there is such a problem, the dentist will prescribe the necessary treatment. Sometimes, a referral to a specialist in gum disease (periodontist) may be necessary.

What are the treatments for this?

Treatment depends entirely on the cause.

• If the reason is poor oral hygiene:
• Having your teeth thoroughly cleaned by a dentist (dental cleaning).
• Brushing your teeth properly and flossing them daily.
• Tongue cleaning: This is something that many people neglect, but it is very important. It is best to use a tongue scraper specifically designed for tongue cleaning.
• Using an antibacterial mouthwash recommended by your doctor. (Some mouthwashes only temporarily mask bad breath, so ask your doctor about a type that treats the underlying cause.)

• If the cause is another medical condition:
• The only solution is to get proper treatment for the condition. For example, controlling diabetes and treating gastritis will help eliminate bad breath.

What can we do to prevent bad breath?

The best thing to do is to prevent the problem before it occurs. If you incorporate these simple habits into your life, you will find a great solution to the problem of bad breath.

• Brush your teeth twice a day with a toothpaste containing fluoride.
• Clean between your teeth with floss at least once a day .
• Clean your tongue thoroughly every day when you brush your teeth.
• If you wear dentures or retainers, clean them daily as directed by your dentist.
• Drink plenty of water. Drinking at least 2-3 liters of water a day will reduce dry mouth.
• You can increase saliva production by chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on a sugar-free mint.
• Reduce smoking, alcohol, and excessive caffeine (coffee, tea) consumption. These can dry out your mouth.
• Visit a dentist and have your teeth checked and cleaned at least once a year .

Don't worry too much about the bad breath that comes from eating pungent foods like onions and garlic. It's temporary. The smell may persist until the chemicals in those foods are completely eliminated from your body. It's okay to put something like mint or cardamom in your mouth at such times.