Do you think your breath stinks? Bad breath, or halitosis, may be caused by the foods and drinks you consume, but there might be a problem behind the smell that needs the help of a dentist. The clinic will determine whether your halitosis is caused by gingivitis, tartar or perhaps a wisdom tooth eruption.
- If your breath smells often, please visit your dentist to find out why.
- Bad breath can be caused, for example, by gingivitis, tartar or tooth fillings in poor condition.
- Good home care helps. Remember to clean the interdental spaces and the tongue every day.
Do you often breathe in your hand and smell to tell whether it smells bad? A lot of people do the same, and it's no wonder. Smelly breath or fear of it raises concerns and can affect social life – and can be very stressful.
If your breath smells rotten often, think about the condition of your oral hygiene: do you brush your teeth twice a day and also remember to clean the interdental spaces and the tongue? For example, you may have gingivitis or periodontitis in your mouth, which are typical causes of bad breath.
Particularly in young people, the bad smell in the mouth may be caused by a partially erupted wisdom tooth. Food easily accumulates under the gum of a partially erupted tooth, which can cause the bad smell.
In addition to inflammation or periodontitis, bad breath can also be caused by:
- debris on the tongue
- dry mouth
- bad tooth fillings or caries which accumulate leftovers and plaque
- respiratory tract infections
- reflux symptoms
- white bacterial spots on the tonsils (tonsil stones)
The bad smell of a healthy mouth is probably due to food or drink. Coffee, alcohol and heavily flavoured foods can make your breath smell, not to mention garlic! Many smokers also have bad breath.
How to solve the problem of a stinky breath?
If smelly breath is not just an occasional nuisance, you should make an appointment with a dentist. The dentist will check whether the bad smell in the mouth is caused by, for example, gingivitis, tartar or bad tooth fillings.
You can also ask your dentist if your breath smells if you are afraid to ask your loved ones.
You shouldn't avoid going to the dentist because you haven't treated your mouth perfectly and you think your breath smells bad. Treating halitosis is a daily routine for dentists. The most important thing is that you come to the appointment.
When you have regular dental check-ups, it is easier to prevent bad breath.
Take care of your teeth more diligently. Your breath will stay fresher like this:
- Remember to brush your teeth twice a day.
- Use fluoride toothpaste.
- Clean your tongue daily with a tongue scraper or toothbrush.
- Remember to clean the spaces between your teeth daily. If your interdental spaces are tricky to clean, your dentist or dental hygienist will advise you on the appropriate means and equipment.
- Drink enough water.
- Have your teeth checked regularly. Your dentist will tell you what a suitable check-up interval is for your mouth.
The specialist interviewed for the article was Chief Dentist Anni Mäkinen.
Mouthwash can bring relief for a short while. However, it does not help the root causes of bad breath.
If you do not take sufficient care of your oral hygiene, the bacteria of the mouth will produce sulphur compounds. Sulphur compounds cause bad breath, which can really smell a little rotten.
In small children, bad breath may be caused by a so-called milk tongue. Small children often drink a lot of milk, which forms a stinky coating on the surface of the tongue.
A dentist will assess the condition of your oral and dental health and give you personal recommendations on how often you should have a dental check-up.
With a dentist experienced in treating patients with dental fear, you can face your fears safely and at your own pace.
