DEBUNKING TOP 6 HALITOSIS MYTHS

Who would even like the emission of a foul odor from their mouth? Fresh breath is something that makes you feel confident, and people sway towards you, unlike the one with bad breath. Bad breath has been a common oral issue and could be an alarming sign of severe dental issues, like gum diseases. You might be trying several home remedies to cover up the bad breath, but nothing would be helpful unless you remove it from the root cause. However, there are several myths doing rounds about bad breath or halitosis for ages, and it’s time that we debunk these myths.

WHAT CAUSES BAD BREATH?

Even though you brush your teeth regularly but still the bad breath does not cure? Do you wonder what causes bad breath? One of the prime causes for bad breath is the presence of harmful bacteria and the volatile Sulphur compounds released by them.

When do you generally experience bad breath? In the morning, as soon as you wake up, right? When you sleep for 8-10 hours in the night, your mouth gets dry, and when you wake up in the morning, you feel a stale breath. So, it is clear that dry mouth is one of the causes of bad breath. 

HOW DOES DRY MOUTH CAUSE BAD BREATH?

Saliva produced in the mouth acts as a defense agent against bacteria and plaque. Saliva washes away the plaque formed and the food debris in the mouth. When you consume acidic foods or drinks or involve in unhealthy dental practices like smoking, the saliva secretion gets reduced significantly, causing dry mouth conditions. A dry mouth is also caused by a lack of sufficient hydration in the mouth. So, in the absence of the defense agent, saliva, the harmful bacteria harbor in the mouth and form plaque. The plaque and the bacterial growth in the mouth lead to halitosis. Thus it is necessary to keep the mouth hydrated to prevent dry mouth condition and bad breath.

DEBUNKING THE MYTHS ABOUT BAD BREATH

Myth1: Mouthwash treats Bad Breath

Dentists like us suggest using an antimicrobial mouthwash to rinse the mouth after consuming food. It is because when you consume food, parts of food get stuck in between the teeth that feed the plaque-forming bacteria. These bacteria release a foul odor that causes bad breath. When you rinse your mouth with mouthwash, the food particles get removed. However, mouthwash covers up your bad breath temporarily and is not a permanent solution. 

Myth2: Chewing Gum is a Cure for Bad Breath

While going on a date, your friends might have suggested you pop up chewing gum to freshen your breath. Chewing gum contains artificial fragrances that mask up to your bad breath but only for a shorter time. Once the effect of chewing gum gets over, the foul odor returns. It is a short-term remedy and not a cure for bad breath. However, chewing gum also proves beneficial for your dental health.

Myth3: Brushing the teeth is Sufficient to Combat Bad Breath

As already stated above, bad breath is caused by the presence of harmful bacteria and plaque in the mouth. Brushing the teeth twice a day is good, but the toothbrush does not reach the intense portions of the teeth where the plaque keeps hiding. Brushing must be followed by flossing the teeth. Flossing is highly crucial to remove plaque from the gaps in between the teeth.

Myth4: You can Test Halitosis by Yourself

Most of the times people cup their hands in front of the teeth and nose to find if they emit a bad breath. This experiment cannot be highly useful to detect bad breath because it emits from the back of the mouth. The volatile Sulphur compounds-producing bacteria settle below the surface of the tongue and emit a bad breath. Hence it is necessary to clean the tongue while brushing and flossing the teeth. Ask your family or friends to test your bad breath if you are worried about it.

Myth5: Bad Breath is caused by the Foods you consume

Consumption of foods like garlic and onion emits a foul smell, but that is temporary. Chronic bad breath is not caused by the foods but by the bacterial settlement below the surface of your tongue. Following healthy dental practices and visiting the dentist can help you get rid of it.

Myth6: Bad Breath has no Permanent Cure

Every oral disease has a cure unless the root cause for it is not found, the same goes with halitosis or bad breath. Visit the dental clinic where the dental professional will examine your oral health and find the root cause for the bad breath. Dental cleanings that remove plaque and other treatments could help get rid of bad breath permanently unless you follow good oral hygiene.

Though bad breath is a common issue, it hurts your personality. Identify the root cause, debunk the myths and visit our clinic, The Elite Dental Care, the best dental clinic in Tracy, California for the permanent treatment of bad breath and regular dental checkups. Freshened breath boosts your self-esteem and improves your mental health.