EN
BOOK NOW

How to treat bad breath?

Bad breath, or halitosis, is a common issue that can affect self-confidence and is often linked to poor oral hygiene.
 
bad breath treatment

Excellence in every smile

čišćenje jezika

Bad breath and its impact on daily life

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, can significantly interfere with everyday life. While occasional bad breath is normal, for some people it becomes a persistent issue that can lower their quality of life and further affect their self-confidence.
 
Although it’s usually harmless, bad breath often causes discomfort both for the individual and those around them. It’s most commonly linked to insufficient oral hygiene - especially when the teeth, gums, and tongue aren’t cleaned thoroughly. In many cases, bad breath is related to tongue hygiene, as some people easily develop a white coating on the tongue that traps bacteria and food particles, producing an unpleasant odor.
 
People who are prone to this buildup should pay special attention to cleaning their tongue as part of their daily hygiene routine. To do this effectively, it's best to use a tongue brush, a tongue-cleaning gel, and a tongue scraper. These tools help remove buildup and bacteria, leaving the breath fresher.
 

What is halitosis?

Halitosis is the medical term for chronic bad breath, and in some cases, it can be a sign of more serious health conditions such as gastrointestinal disorders, kidney or lung problems, or even diabetes.

However, the most common causes of halitosis are much simpler and usually related to poor oral hygiene, tooth decay, gum disease, or buildup on the tongue. Bacteria trapped between teeth, around implants, under bridges, or on the tongue break down food particles over time, producing unpleasant odors.

In addition to inadequate brushing and tongue cleaning, other frequent contributors to halitosis include dry mouth - caused by reduced saliva flow - which creates a perfect environment for bacteria to thrive. Saliva naturally helps cleanse the mouth, so when it's lacking, odor-causing bacteria build up more easily. Smoking is another common cause of bad breath, as tobacco particles and chemicals linger in the mouth.

Drinking coffee, alcohol, or eating heavily spiced food can also intensify bad breath. For those dealing with halitosis, we recommend maintaining thorough oral hygiene - brushing the tongue daily, using interdental brushes, and visiting the dentist regularly for professional cleanings and advice. Additionally, oral probiotics may help reduce the bacteria responsible for bad breath.
 

What if bad breath comes from the stomach?

When bad breath originates from the stomach, it is often linked to digestive issues such as excess stomach acid or acid reflux.
 
One of the most common causes is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, leading to a foul taste and odor in the mouth. Another potential cause is infection with Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium that causes gastritis and stomach ulcers and can also contribute to halitosis.
 
Irregular eating habits and skipping meals can worsen these symptoms, as they stimulate increased acid production, which may intensify bad breath. Eating at regular intervals and choosing foods wisely - avoiding acidic or fatty meals, alcohol, and caffeine - can help reduce stomach-related halitosis.
 
People facing this type of issue should consider seeing a gastroenterologist for evaluation and treatment of possible underlying stomach conditions, which can greatly improve symptoms of bad breath.
 
Additionally, not drinking enough water can lead to reduced saliva production. Since saliva naturally cleans and refreshes the mouth, a lack of it may result in halitosis. Aim to drink at least 2 liters of fluids daily to support oral freshness and hydration.
 

Cure for bad breath

There is no one-size-fits-all cure for bad breath, as it can stem from a variety of causes - each requiring a different approach.

The key to effectively treating bad breath lies in identifying its root cause and developing the right treatment based on an accurate diagnosis.

Common questions about bad breath

Halitosis is the occasional or persistent presence of bad breath.

For diagnosing halitosis, a halimeter can be used. The halimeter is a device that measures the concentration of volatile sulfur compounds in exhaled air, which are produced by bacteria in the oral cavity.

Bacteria are in fact the most common cause of bad breath.

The results obtained with the halimeter help the dentist objectively assess the level of halitosis and identify its cause, which is an important step in planning therapy.

An experienced dentist can also evaluate the source of halitosis without a halimeter. Although the halimeter is useful because it provides an objective measurement, in practice clinical examination and professional experience are most often used.

There are no pills that directly cure bad breath.

What does exist are treatments that address the underlying causes of halitosis.

If the cause of bad breath is not identified, the problem itself cannot be solved.

As a supportive measure, you can use oral probiotics. In most cases, bad breath develops due to bacteria on the tongue and between the teeth that produce volatile sulfur compounds.

When you take oral probiotics such as Streptococcus salivarius K12, they colonize the mouth and outnumber the harmful bacteria.

Bad breath is often the result of a disrupted oral microbiome, where pathogenic bacteria outgrow the beneficial ones. That’s why oral probiotics help restore balance to the microbiome.
Previous post
Next post
Full dentures

Best full dentures

Read more
painkillers after tooth extraction

Recovery after tooth extraction

Read more

Excellence in every smile

Book an appointment

Document(png, jpg, jpeg, pdf, doc, docx)
Accept the privacy policy
/Stomatologija/najbolje-stomatoloske-ordinacije-rijeka.JPG?preset=cs-img