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3 hidden causes of bad breath, from not flossing your teeth to tongue issues
A little bit of bad breath is normal from time to time, but there could be something causing that foul odor that you can resolve.
One dentist has revealed some things that you probably didn’t realise could be making your mouth smell unpleasant.
3 hidden causes of bad breath
Speaking on TikTok, dentist Dr Rhona Eskander said these are three hidden causes of bad breath to be aware of.
1. Not flossing your teeth
Bad breath, medically known as halitosis, often occurs when you don’t floss. Not cleaning between the teeth causes debris to build up, such as plaque, bacteria and bits of food, and odors can form as a result of this.
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The NHS recommends flossing or using an interdental brush every day to remove food, debris and plaque which is�lodged between your teeth. This should be done before brushing, either in the morning or evening.
2. Not scraping your tongue
Another reason your breath might smell bad is that you’re not scraping your tongue. The tongue harbors loads of bacteria which can cause your mouth to smell unpleasant if you’re not cleaning it regularly enough.
On top of brushing with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing, you should also be brushing or scraping your tongue twice a day to remove this bacteria which can cause not only bad breath but also tooth decay, Colgate reveals.
3. Not drinking enough water
Your bad breath could also be caused by the fact you’re not drinking enough water. Dehydration leads to a dry mouth, which can result in bad breath as bacteria multiplies more quickly when the mouth is dry.
Drinking water stimulates saliva production, which flushes bacteria, food and other debris out of the mouth. When there isnt sufficient saliva, bacteria builds up, contributing to that foul odor.
Hot to treat bad breath yourself
Other reasons for bad breath include consuming strong-smelling or spicy foods and drinks, problems with your teeth and gums, crash dieting, some medical conditions like tonsillitis and acid reflux, and smoking, the NHS explains.
To treat it at home, you need to keep your teeth, tongue and mouth clean by:
- Brushing your teeth and gums at least twice a day for two minutes
- Using a fluoride toothpaste
- Cleaning your tongue once a day with a tongue scraper or cleaner
- Cleaning between your teeth with interdental brushes or floss at least once a day
- Getting regular dental check-ups
- Keeping dentures clean and remembering to remove them at night
- Using sugar-free mints or chewing gum after strong-smelling food and drinks
- Using an antibacterial mouthwash or toothpaste
Dr Rhona Eskander (BChD, MJDF) is a dentist who gained her degree in Dental Hygiene from the University of Leeds. She founded the award-winning London-based dental clinic Chelsea Dental Clinic which specializes in cosmetic dentistry.
