Bad breath is a common oral problem that not only affects a person's social life and self-confidence, but may also be a manifestation of certain health problems in the body. There are many reasons for bad breath, such as poor oral hygiene, oral diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, systemic diseases, etc.
First of all, maintaining good oral hygiene is the basis for treating bad breath. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, each time for no less than 3 minutes, use a soft-bristled toothbrush, and brush your teeth according to the correct Bass brushing method to ensure that every surface of the teeth can be cleaned. Brushing teeth can not only remove food debris and dental plaque on the surface of the teeth, but also reduce the growth of bacteria in the mouth. At the same time, use dental floss or interdental brushes to clean the gaps between teeth, because food residues are easily left in the gaps between teeth, and these residues will be decomposed by bacteria to produce odor. In addition, use a tongue brush or tongue scraper to clean the surface of the tongue every day, because bacteria and food residues on the tongue are also important causes of bad breath.
Treating oral diseases is essential to eliminate bad breath. Oral diseases such as caries, gingivitis, and periodontitis can cause bacteria to multiply in the mouth and produce odor. For caries, fillings should be performed in time to remove the decay in the caries cavity, fill the filling materials, and prevent bacteria from further eroding the teeth. Patients with gingivitis and periodontitis need to undergo teeth cleaning and periodontal treatment to remove tartar and plaque on the surface of the teeth and under the gums, reduce gingival inflammation, and control the development of periodontal disease. In addition, oral ulcers, oral candidiasis, etc. may also cause bad breath, and corresponding treatments need to be carried out according to the specific situation, such as the use of oral ulcer patches, antifungal drugs, etc.
What are the causes of bad breath?
1. Oral disease. People with oral diseases such as caries, gingivitis, and periodontitis will have bad breath due to the growth of bacteria in their mouths, which will produce sulfides after decomposition.
2. Long-term constipation. Harmful substances produced in the body cannot be discharged in time and are absorbed into the blood, causing bad breath.
3. Dietary factors. People who often smoke, drink, drink coffee, and love to eat spicy and irritating foods such as onions, garlic, and leeks, and have a certain hobby for stinky tofu and stinky eggs, are most likely to suffer from bad breath.
Improving gastrointestinal function can also help treat bad breath. Gastrointestinal diseases, such as indigestion, gastroesophageal reflux disease, Helicobacter pylori infection, etc., can all cause bad breath. When indigestion occurs, food cannot be fully digested and absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, and will ferment to produce gas, which is discharged through the mouth, causing bad breath. The symptoms of indigestion can be improved by adjusting eating habits, such as eating small meals frequently, avoiding spicy, greasy, and irritating foods, and eating more easily digestible foods. For patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease, they should avoid lying flat immediately after a meal, and raise the head of the bed when sleeping to reduce gastric acid reflux. If the bad breath is caused by Helicobacter pylori infection, radical treatment of Helicobacter pylori is required, generally using a combination of proton pump inhibitors, bismuth agents, and antibiotics.
Dietary adjustments can also reduce bad breath to a certain extent. Eat more foods rich in dietary fiber, such as vegetables, fruits, whole wheat bread, etc. These foods can promote gastrointestinal motility, help digestion, and reduce the residence time of food in the gastrointestinal tract, thereby reducing the occurrence of bad breath. At the same time, drink plenty of water to keep your mouth moist, which helps flush out bacteria and food residues in your mouth. In addition, some foods have the effect of refreshing breath, such as mint and green tea, which can be eaten appropriately.
For some systemic diseases that cause bad breath, such as diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, etc., it is necessary to actively treat the primary disease. Due to poor blood sugar control, diabetic patients will increase ketone bodies in the body and cause bad breath, so they need to control blood sugar and treat according to the doctor's advice. Patients with liver disease and kidney disease also need to receive corresponding treatment according to their specific conditions. As the primary disease improves, the symptoms of bad breath will also be alleviated.
The treatment of bad breath requires comprehensive consideration of multiple factors. Most bad breath problems can be effectively solved by maintaining good oral hygiene, treating oral diseases, improving gastrointestinal function, adjusting diet, and treating systemic diseases. Practical means such as treating systemic diseases can make the breath fresher.
