Think your breath is a bit pongy but not sure what’s causing it or how to get rid of it? From pungent foods and smoking, to poor dental hygiene and a dry mouth, the list of bad breath causes goes on.

With all these smelly triggers, it’s no wonder that stores are overflowing with gum, mints and mouthwashes designed to fight bad breath. But the promise of fresh breath is only fleeting as that minty fresh scent is likely only masking the underlying odour problem.

How do you know if you have bad breath?

There is nothing more embarrassing than having bad breath, but apart from your friends constantly offering you a mint or turning away when you talk, how do you actually know if you have it?

Try this test. Lick your wrist & let it dry for 10 seconds, then smell it and if your breath doesn’t smell like roses, it’s time to find the culprit and eliminate it.

Common causes of bad breath & their associated treatment

Food & Drink

Eating certain foods that are spicy or odorous such as onions, garlic and spices are the main causes of bad breath. Our tongues provide a great place for the food remaining in your mouth after a meal, to attach and grow bacteria which in turn causes smelly breath.

Whilst the pong might appear to go away after a few hours it can still come back – in one big ol’ spicy burp. This is because, as you digest food, the chemicals are ultimately absorbed into your bloodstream and enter your lungs, where you breathe them out.

Dehydration is another cause of bad breath. Not drinking enough water means that food and the bacteria which feeds on it, can hang out in your mouth longer, allowing odour-causing bacteria to run riot. Fortunately, the solution is as simple as the problem –  drink up!

Treatment: By drinking water, brushing your teeth twice daily (plus brushing your tongue) you can keep nasty food smells and bacteria at bay. Otherwise you can also try out breath capsules available at Chemist Warehouse here.

Smoking

We all know that smoking can leave you ending up smelling like an ashtray. But did you know that smoke particles can also dry out your mouth, allowing bacteria to fester? As well as this, nicotine also reduces blood supply to your gums which can increase a smoker’s risk of gum disease, causing…more bad breath. If you try and refrain from smoking you can decrease the chances of oral and throat cancers, as Oral B highly suggests checking with your dentists regularly.

Treatment: Try to quit smoking or at least cut back.

Poor Dental Hygiene

So this isn’t the most surprising cause on this list, but poor dental hygiene is the biggest culprit when it comes to bad breath. Skipping your twice-daily brushing and flossing is a definite no-no. Firstly, it’s downright gross but secondly, if you don’t brush and floss daily, food particles remain in your mouth, allowing a colourless, sticky film of bacteria known as plaque to form on your teeth. If you’ve ever run your tongue along your teeth only to feel something like fluffy slippers covering your pearly whites – this is plaque and it most definitely causes bad breath.

Treatment: Brushing and flossing as well as using mouthwash will keep plaque at bay. Oh, and don’t forget to change your toothbrush every 3 months!

Dry Mouth

Have you ever woken up in the morning with a mouth as dry as the Sahara Desert? Our mouth naturally dries up while we sleep which leads to the all too familiar ‘morning breath’ … and it worsens if you sleep with your mouth open.

Our saliva helps clean our mouth by clearing away food particles. So, if there isn’t enough saliva, leftover food that can cause bad breath is left in your mouth to fester. Side effects of some medications can also make your mouth dry which can indirectly cause bad breath.

Treatment: There are tonnes of products out there to help with a dry mouth including sprays and lozenges, plus it’s recommended you avoid caffeine and mouthwashes that contain alcohol.

Infections or Other Conditions

We know that plaque build-up can cause cavities and gum disease which can lead to even worse breath. There are also a number of other conditions that can contribute to bad breath; from post nasal drip and inflammation of the sinuses, and pneumonia. Think that’s all? Many common conditions are associated with bad breath, including tonsil stones, oral yeast infections, and regular old gum disease.

Even if your mouth seems healthy, many of these causes of bad breath aren’t always obvious. This is why checking in with an oral professional trained in matters of the mouth when your breath starts leaving a whiff is so important. If you have a toothache as well as bad breath, this is even more of an indicator that something isn’t quite right in your mouth and you should really see a dentist.

Treatment: Talk to your dentist if you’re concerned about your bad breath. They can help identify the source and, if it’s orally-related, create a treatment plan to help eliminate it.

Find a dentist in your area here.