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Bad breath (halitosis, fetor ex ore) is a major problem for modern man. The main cause of bad breath should be sought in the mouth itself. Namely, millions of bacteria live in the mouth, especially at the base of the tongue, which multiply rapidly thanks to the warmth and humidity of the oral cavity. They are the main cause of bad breath in many people. Also, poor oral hygiene and long-term retention of food residues favor the multiplication of bacteria. However, the causes of bad breath do not have to be exclusively related to the oral cavity. Bad breath can be a side effect of another disease. Diseases that can lead to bad breath include infections in the nose, throat, lungs, chronic sinusitis or some disorders in the digestive system.

What can you do to get rid of bad breath?

• Brush your teeth twice a day. Use toothpaste with fluoride. Correct and regular tooth brushing is very important for maintaining fresh breath. If you are not sure whether your brushing technique is correct, ask your dentist for instructions and thus improve your oral hygiene.
• Brush or scrape the surface of the tongue . A tongue scraper can remove bacteria from the back of the tongue, which can be left out when brushing your teeth.
• Use dental floss . Brushing your teeth only cleans 60% of the surface of your teeth. Using dental floss removes food particles trapped between your teeth. An additional product that is used to clean the spaces between your teeth (especially the lateral regions) is an interdental brush.
• Use an antibacterial mouthwash . It is recommended to use this liquid before going to bed. There are many different types of mouthwashes on the market. If those with alcohol cause irritation to your oral mucosa, choose products with chlorhexidine or hydrogen peroxide.
• Use sugar-free gum. Chewing stimulates the production of saliva and prevents the mouth from drying out. Dry mouth can contribute to bad breath. It is also advised to increase the intake of water, which stimulates the production of saliva in the mouth, which also reduces bad breath. It should be noted that chewing gum does not replace brushing your teeth in any case.
• Visit the dentist at least twice a year . Bad breath is often one of the warning signs that a person has problems with the gums, and it is most often due to the accumulation of dental plaque - a sticky, colorless layer of bacteria, saliva and food particles that accumulates on the surface of the teeth. During these visits, the dentist will professionally remove soft deposits and tartar from your teeth, and diagnose any gum diseases. On this occasion, the dentist will also check the level of your oral hygiene and educate you about proper tooth brushing. Bad breath can also be caused by large carious lesions on the teeth or fractured tooth crowns.
• Stop smoking . Cigarette smoking is the cause of bad breath because it causes dryness of the mouth, which increases the risk of developing gum disease.

It is mandatory to seek the help of a dentist if unpleasant breath occurs in combination with a loose tooth or swollen, painful gums. If it turns out that the cause of bad breath is not dental in nature, a visit to a general practitioner is advised to determine if a medical condition is the cause of bad breath.