Bad Breath: 13 Tips Against Halitosis

The others always notice him first: on the first date, during a confidential whisper or a good night kiss. Bad breath or “halitosis” can be a relationship killer. Where it comes from and what we can do about it.

Crime scene oral cavity

Even the most sensitive nose does not perceive the aroma of one’s own breath – even if the pain threshold reasonable for others has long since been exceeded. The embarrassment of bad breath is only ever noticed by others – and they rarely say what bothers them.

Fortunately, researchers have taken up the small medical problem and its sometimes great consequences. Mel Rosenberg, for example, Professor of Dentistry and Microbiology at the University of Tel Aviv, has been investigating halitosis for fifteen years: “Contrary to widespread opinion, bad breath almost never comes from the stomach, but 85 to 95 percent comes directly from the oral cavity. And something can be done about it – most effectively where it originates.

Who are the evildoers?

Around 100 billion bacteria grow in the oral cavity every day. They feel like in a land of milk and honey and crowd their gums, tongue and teeth. There is an abundance of food there, several times a day. However, not all inhabitants of the oral cavity contribute to halitosis. The culprits are certain bacteria that have a preference for protein-containing food. When they eat fish or cheese leftovers, they produce a whole cocktail of odorous substances with a note reminiscent of rotten eggs.

Normally, a constant flow of saliva ensures that such substances are constantly eliminated. However, if the mouth’s own water rinse is defective, the mouth becomes dry. As a result, more food remains and their decomposition starts to smell.

There are many reasons for dry mouth

After taking certain medications (for example, antidepressants), during fasting or dieting, in phases of great tension, before exams, under stress or even after long conversations, the mouth can become dry. The morning bad breath also comes from this. Saliva production is stopped during sleep or set on low flame. The mouth dries out.

The good news: Bad breath warns of chronic diseases

As important as oral hygiene is – even with thoroughly brushed teeth and scrubbed tongue, bad breath can occur. If bad breath becomes a permanent condition, you should search for the causes, because numerous, sometimes even chronic diseases can be hidden behind it.

The smell can even provide clues for a diagnosis. To do this, however, the attending physician must use his nose. Does the breath from the nose smell much worse than the air from the mouth? This indicates chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps or dry nasal mucous membranes. If the patient smells directly from the mouth over a long period of time, it could be chronic bronchitis. If the throat hurts at the same time, chronic tonsillitis may be the cause.

Diseased internal organs also produce odorous substances. Rotten odours can indicate a lung disease, while acid-rotty ones can indicate chronic gastritis. If it smells of fish or urine, it is possibly due to a damaged kidney. Fresh liver odour is caused by cirrhosis of the liver. A smell of acetone indicates that a diabetic is in a life-threatening condition. He has too much sugar in his blood and urgently needs insulin.

Seen in this light, bad breath is not only an insult to our fine noses. It warns of chronic diseases, keeps enemies out of the immune system and indicates negligent oral hygiene. So it’s actually not all that bad. Especially when friends tell us in time that they can’t smell us anymore.

13 practical tips against halitosis (bad breath)

• Low-fat food: Low-fat food means that fewer metabolic products are excreted through the air we breathe – our breath is fresher.
• Eat a lot of vegetables: With its alkaline effect, vegetables balance out the sometimes acidic environment in the stomach and intestines and counteract halitosis.
• An apple a day ..: This saying doesn’t come for free, but you can use carrots or celery. All three types of raw vegetables act like a natural toothbrush and rub rotting bacteria from your teeth.
• Drink a lot of water: Some people may not or cannot drink as much as they should during the day. We can only advise you to do it anyway, for the sake of your oral hygiene. Because water contains neither sugar nor acid, which makes your breath worse, and flushes putrefactive bacteria from your mouth.
• Coffee is a no-go: drink green tea instead if you want to stay awake. It does not dry out your mouth like the caffeine in coffee, contains little acid and has an alkaline effect. Perfect against bad breath!
• Chew fresh mint: Fresh mint or parsley, with the chlorophyll it contains, acts against odorous sulfur compounds in the mouth. The same applies to the essential oils in cloves and fennel.
• Probiotics against fermenting foods: Certain types of fruit, fresh yeast products or even raw cereals are highly fermenting foods. Their decomposition in the stomach sometimes manifests itself as bad breath. Probiotic foods like yoghurt can help.

• Daily flossing: Not only do you brush your teeth, but you also floss the spaces between your teeth. Especially in the small spaces between the teeth, food remains are often deposited that smell if they are not removed.
• Don’t forget to brush your tongue: Bacteria are particularly fond of the back of the tongue. Researchers have now identified it as one of the most common sources of bad breath. Warm, moist, covered with tiny cavities and rich in culinary delights, it is a luxurious habitat for oral bacteria. Use a tongue scraper or brush the tongue with a toothbrush dipped in mouthwash – even the back of the tongue.
• Alcohol – another no-go: Especially in the mouthwash, because alcohol dries out the oral cavity. And without saliva the bacteria are not rinsed out. That is why we recommend an alcohol-free mouthwash for daily hygiene.
• Sugar-free chewing gum: In dry mouth, chewing gum stimulates the flow of saliva. However, it should be sugar-free – otherwise there is a risk of caries and bad breath.
• Fragrant lip gloss: There are simply situations in which we do not immediately have the toothbrush at hand. There is only one thing that helps: Covering. And the best way to do that is with a fragrant lip gloss.
• Professional teeth cleaning: Dental practices offer a one-hour basic cleaning (“Professional mechanical cleaning”) and inform individually about where there are hidden sources of bad breath in your mouth and what you can do about it in your case.