From this article you will learn:

• bad breath - causes and treatment,
• what is the smell of acetone, ammonia, etc.
• how to get rid of bad breath at home.

Bad breath is called the professional term "halitosis". Most often, patients have to deal with the so-called oral form of halitosis. Its causes are various problems in the oral cavity - poor hygiene, carious teeth, inflammation of the gums, chronic inflammation tonsils, nasal passages and sinuses, etc.

It is also customary to distinguish - halitosis from systemic causes. In this case bad smell from the mouth does not develop due to problems of the oral cavity, nose or sinuses, but is associated with systemic pathology of the body - diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory organs and kidneys, diabetes mellitus, taking medications, etc. (Fig. 1).

How bad odor is produced

The first form of bad breath (the so-called "oral halitosis") is usually divided into physiological and pathological form. For example, a slight unpleasant odor, which is present in most people in the morning, is a physiological norm associated with a decrease in salivation during sleep, an abundance of desquamated epithelial cells, and a decrease in fluid intake. However, a sharp unpleasant odor already indicates the presence of some kind of pathology.

The cause of physiological and pathological oral halitosis lies in the formation in the oral cavity of volatile sulfur compounds, diamines, as well as short-chain fatty acids. These compounds are formed mainly due to some forms of anaerobic and gram-negative bacteria with proteolytic properties (Fig. 2). The only Gram-positive bacterium that may be involved is Stomatococcus mucilaginous.

Why breath smells: reasons (Scheme 1-3)

When amino acids (such as cystine, cysteine ​​and methionine) are broken down by these bacteria, foul-smelling compounds are released. For example, hydrogen sulfide is formed from cysteine, and methyl mercaptan is formed from methionine (Fig. 3). These amino acids are normally always present in the oral fluid in large quantities, however, with poor oral hygiene, their concentration in the oral fluid increases dramatically.

Those. as soon as you don’t brush your teeth after any meal or snack with candy or cookies, bacteria immediately begin the proteolytic breakdown of proteins / amino acids, and you can immediately say “hello” to an unpleasant smell. The intensity of the unpleasant odor will directly depend on the concentration of hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, diamines, and fatty acids with a small molecular weight released.

Causes of non-oral halitosis –
as we said above, bad breath may not appear due to problems with the oral cavity, but due to various systemic diseases. In each case, there will be a reason for this. For example, in diabetes mellitus, the cause of the unpleasant smell of acetone is the development of ketoacidosis, and in severe kidney pathology, the smell of ammonia may appear from the mouth (about all systemic reasons we will explain below).

Bad breath: causes and treatment

So why does bad breath form - the causes of oral halitosis in 85% of cases are: food residues between the teeth and an excess of microbial plaque, decaying carious teeth (including teeth under artificial crowns and bridges), chronic inflammation of the gums. This is all that occurs as a result of poor-quality and / or irregular brushing of teeth.

The second most common group of causes of oral halitosis is inflammation of the tonsils, chronic inflammation of the nasal cavity and sinuses, especially if they contain polyps. The smell from the mouth in a child is often due to these reasons. No need to think that if the nasal passages and sinuses are not in the mouth, then this cannot lead to smell. With all these diseases, there is an increase in mucus secretion + constant infectious growth.

From the nasal cavity, all this flows into the nasopharynx, and then enters the oropharynx - on the root of the tongue, tonsils. Mucus (secretion of the mucous glands) is rich in amino acids, desquamated epithelial cells, pathogenic microorganisms, which makes it an excellent basis for the appearance of an unpleasant odor. By the way, bad breath in smokers is associated, among other things, with abundant secretion of mucus and sputum. Below we will look at all the main reasons and tell you how to get rid of bad breath.

1. Microbial plaque on the teeth, food residues -

Regular brushing of teeth is necessary to remove microbial plaque and food debris. Both are the main source of bad breath in most people. Food residues are a source of amino acids, which, through proteolysis (i.e., putrefaction), are converted by bacteria of microbial plaque into foul-smelling volatile compounds (hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, diamines, etc.).

Microbial plaque, hard tartar -

Moreover, food residues are not only a supplier of amino acids for their transformation into bad-smelling chemical substances. Food residues contain carbohydrates that are processed by cariogenic bacteria in the oral cavity into lactic acid, which leads to the dissolution of enamel and the formation of caries. The resulting acid shifts the pH of the oral fluid to the acid side (below 5.5), which is necessary to start the decarboxylation of amino acids to diamines - the second group of foul-smelling compounds.

The more microbial plaque and hard tartar you have on your teeth, the faster the process of decay of food residues and their transformation into volatile sulfur and diamine compounds. Therefore, it is very important to brush your teeth after every meal, not only with a brush and paste, but also with dental floss. Without flossing, there is no way to remove rotting food debris stuck between the teeth. And we are talking not only about large stuck pieces of meat.

The most dangerous of all are small sticky food residues that do not cause concern and therefore people do not consider it necessary to remove them from the tooth gaps, believing that rinsing will be enough. In fact, such residues cannot be removed not only by rinsing, but also by a toothbrush. This can only be done with dental floss (floss).

How to get rid of bad breath in this case - firstly, you need to make an appointment with a dentist who will remove all dental deposits and polish your teeth. It will cost you about 3500 rubles. Secondly, and without this, everything else will be in vain - it is necessary to completely correct all the shortcomings in oral hygiene. Floss after every meal, avoid snacking between main meals, brush your tongue regularly, etc.

2. Microbial plaque on the tongue -

With these diseases, the amount of pathogenic infection increases sharply in the dentogingival or periodontal pockets, which causes an unpleasant odor or increases its severity. Especially often, an unpleasant odor worries such patients against the background of an exacerbation of the inflammatory process, because. during these periods, suppuration often occurs from periodontal pockets.

How to get rid of bad breath with gum disease
it is best to visit a periodontist first (it is this dentist who is professionally engaged in the treatment of inflammation of the gums). The first stage of treatment, as in the previous case, will be ultrasonic cleaning teeth, which is necessary to remove all microbial plaque and tartar. It is very important to remove not only supragingival, but most importantly, subgingival dental deposits.

After the doctor has removed dental plaque for you, it is prescribed (the course of treatment is usually 10 days). Usually the complex consists of antiseptic rinses and applications of anti-inflammatory gum gel. If teeth cleaning can only be done at the dentist, then anti-inflammatory therapy is carried out by the patient at home - after the appointments and recommendations of the dentist.

4. With inflammation of the gums near the wisdom tooth -

When a wisdom tooth erupts, part of its chewing surface is often partially covered by a hood of mucous membrane. A space is created between the mucous membrane and the crown of the tooth, in which pathogenic pyogenic infection multiplies well. This disease is called pericoronitis or inflammation of the hood over the wisdom tooth. To understand: how to eliminate bad breath in this case, read the article at the link below.

5. Caries and decay of teeth under crowns -

Carious defects in the teeth are an excellent place in which food debris rots and infection accumulates. And here, probably, you don’t even need to say anything more about why the breath stinks in this case, and what needs to be done about it. There can be only one answer - go to the dentist, and it is very strange if someone does not understand this.

The smell of acetone from the mouth in a child and an adult -

1) In children –
the smell of acetone or the sweet smell of rotten apples are symptoms of the development of ketoacidosis, which is expressed in a significant increase in the content of ketone bodies in the blood. This can happen for two reasons. The first cause of ketoacidosis is diabetes. Therefore, a sweetish fruity smell or the smell of acetone from the mouth of a child can be the first sign of type 1 diabetes.

The second cause of ketoacidosis in children is most often the result of errors in the diet. For example, long hungry pauses, or excessive consumption of fatty foods (simultaneously with insufficient carbohydrate intake), as well as insufficient water intake during the day. Also, ketoacidosis in children can develop against the background of somatic, infectious, endocrine diseases and CNS damage.

2) In adults –
the smell of acetone from the mouth in an adult: the reasons for this also lie in the development of ketoacidosis. Only now, if we are talking about diabetic ketoacidosis - the smell of acetone or fruity smell will indicate type 2 diabetes (and not type 1 as in children). If we are talking about non-diabetic ketoacidosis, then most often its causes in adults are alcohol consumption against the background of malnutrition / starvation, i.e. nutritional deterioration.

Thus, if an adult or a child smells of acetone from the mouth, then the first thing to do is to take a blood sugar test and consult an endocrinologist.

Bad breath in a child - other causes

If a child smells from the mouth, then this may be due not only to diabetes mellitus or metabolic disorders. Below we have listed the main reasons for which bad breath most often occurs in a child.

Other most common causes –

Accordingly, in order to determine the cause, you need to consult with pediatric dentist and ENT doctor. Never contact the state children's dental clinics, because. if you find Laura normally in a state clinic somehow, but you can, then a dentist - never.

Interesting fact -
eating too much dairy products increases the production of mucus by the mucous glands (in the mouth, in the nasal cavity, sinuses). Therefore, a dairy diet can also contribute to bad breath.

For systemic diseases

In the same way that diabetics can smell acetone or apples in the exhaled air, different systemic diseases of the body can also give different odors to the breath of patients. For example:

• sour breath - with bronchial asthma or cystic fibrosis of the lungs,
• the smell of ammonia from the mouth (urea) - with chronic renal failure,
• trimethylaminuria - gives an unpleasant smell of fish,
• with cirrhosis of the liver (due to a decrease in its function) - part of the metabolites is removed from the body through the lungs, which leads to the appearance of a specific odor, which may be sweetish or resemble the smell of excrement,
• smell rotten eggs from the mouth - with Lignac's disease (impaired cystine metabolism),
• the smell of rot from the mouth - the cause may be ulcerative necrotic gingivitis,
• in violation of the patency of the small or large intestine - the smell of feces from the mouth.

In diseases of the gastrointestinal tract -

There are 2 pathologies gastrointestinal tract(GIT), the relationship of which with an unpleasant odor has been proven in clinical research. These include - gastroesophageal reflux disease, as well as the presence in the stomach and intestines of the microorganism Helicobacter pylori, which is one of the causes of the development of peptic ulcer. Moreover, the formation of an unpleasant odor is associated with only three strains of Helicobacter pylori (namely H.pylori ATCC 43504, H.pylori SS 1, H.pylori DSM 4867).

Other H. pylori species do not produce an odor and are therefore not associated with halitosis. It should be noted that large families are at risk of cross-infection with H. pylori. Use to detect carrier breath test with urea, determination of antibodies to serum, saliva analysis, biopsy and molecular DNA analysis. How to get rid of bad smell from the mouth with H. pylori - treatment with specific antibiotics (amoxicillin, clarithromycin), as well as drugs of the "proton pump inhibitors" group.

In addition, there are metabolic disorders in the intestines, for example, trimethylaminuria, the presence of which causes a specific fishy smell coming from the exhaled air and, in general, from the whole body. By the way, it is this genetic disease that is the most common cause undiagnosed bad body odor.

For respiratory diseases

In diseases such as acute and chronic rhinitis, tonsillitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis and bronchiectasis, there is an excessive accumulation of mucus and sputum, which causes an accelerated growth of pathogenic bacteria and, as a result, the appearance of an unpleasant odor. By the way, this cause of halitosis is more common in children (than adults), because. children are more susceptible to developing respiratory infections.

How to properly use dental floss and toothbrush

3. Transformation of volatile sulfur components -

Metal ions with an affinity for sulfur can convert sulfur-containing gases into non-volatile, odorless compounds. For example, zinc lactate or zinc acetate can be used for this. Moreover, the effectiveness of zinc compounds will be higher if the composition of the product simultaneously with zinc contains an antiseptic - chlorhexidine or cetylpyridine (and even better if both, since cetylpyridine enhances the bactericidal effect of chlorhexidine).

An interesting point is that triclosan, in addition to the antibacterial effect, also has a direct action against volatile sulfur compounds. However, the effect of triclosan on volatile sulfur compounds mainly depends on the copolymer with which it is always combined. Below you can find toothpastes and rinses that have this combination.

4. Smell masking -

the use of various sprays with peppermint or menthol essential oil, mints or chewing gum - has only a short-term masking effect. Basically, they increase the production of saliva, which leads to temporary dissolution of volatile sulfur compounds in saliva. But this only works for a short period of time.

Hygiene products for bad breath

1. Colgate® Total Pro Healthy Breath Toothpaste -

Man is a social creature. Communication accompanies us everywhere: at home, in shops, at work, with friends. And suddenly you notice that people are moving away, turning away from you. Agree, the moment is extremely unpleasant. And the reason for this may be halitosis, that is, bad breath.

What to do? How to get rid of bad breath and return the joy of communication to yourself and others? First of all, you need to understand the reasons why an unpleasant odor appears. And then start fixing them.

The reasons for the smell can be the following:

oral bacteria

The most common cause of bad breath is anaerobic bacteria living in our mouths. They decompose the remnants of protein foods, while releasing foul-smelling substances. Meat, fish, legumes, dairy products, eggs are especially rich in proteins. After eating such food, you should brush your teeth or at least rinse your mouth thoroughly. The bulk of the bacteria settles in the nutritious white coating on the tongue, they accumulate under the gum line and in hard-to-reach places between the teeth. Therefore, it is necessary to purchase a brush not only for the teeth, but also for the tongue. It is necessary to clean the tongue as deeply as possible, since on the back of it the thickness of the plaque is much greater, which means there are also more bacteria there.

The active growth of putrefactive bacteria is promoted by diseases of the oral cavity: gingivitis, periodontal disease, stomatitis, caries. Just one decaying tooth can make your breath extremely unpleasant for others. Be sure to visit the dentist every six months. Take care of your gums. Blood is a nutritious and "tasty" environment for the vital activity of bacteria.

• inflammatory processes in oral cavity perfectly heals tanning and astringent decoction of oak bark. Pour 2 tablespoons of crushed oak bark with a glass of boiling water, boil for 10 minutes, insist for an hour and strain. Rinse with decoction 6-8 times a day. Useful for inflammation in the mouth of St. John's wort. In this case, a tablespoon of oak bark and St. John's wort are taken per glass of boiling water.
• In case of gum disease, it is recommended to wipe the gums 3 times a day with calamus root powder, you can use it for brushing your teeth, mixing one to one with tooth powder.
• It is useful to rinse your mouth with decoctions of calendula and chamomile. These herbs have healing, bactericidal and regenerating properties.

Foods we eat

Some foods can make breathing extremely unpleasant. Everyone knows the effect of eating garlic or onions, and cabbage and radishes also cause bad breath. When these products are digested, foul-smelling compounds are formed, which enter the lungs with the blood and are excreted from the body with the breath, giving it its smell. Therefore, do not consume these products before leaving the house, an important meeting, a date.

• Apples are especially recommended as refreshing foods. They contain natural sugars that successfully neutralize unpleasant odors.
• It is very useful to chew a few sprigs of celery, parsley or dill. They contain chlorophyll - one of the most powerful suppressors of pungent odors.
• Carrots are good for freshening your breath.
• In addition, you can try some spices: cardamom, you need to chew a few grains (you do not need to swallow them); allspice, insist in hot water and rinse your mouth. Equal proportions of clove, cinnamon or mint tea will also freshen your breath for a long time.

Bad habits

Another cause of bad breath is smoking and alcohol abuse. Everyone is familiar with the specific smell from the mouth of smokers. Nicotine, tar and other foul-smelling substances settle on the walls of the teeth and soft tissues of the oral cavity, causing an unpleasant smell. To get rid of it completely, you should quit smoking.

Or at least keep your mouth clean.

• You can try mouthwashes made from a decoction of wormwood or strawberries. A tablespoon of crushed leaves is poured into a glass of boiling water. Rinse with warm infusion 5-6 times a day, and preferably after each smoked cigarette.

When alcohol is abused, a product of its decay appears in the blood - acetaldehyde, a substance that is extremely dangerous for the body. Part of it is excreted through the lungs, giving the breath a terrible odor of fumes. Because the smell goes from the lungs, it is very difficult to neutralize it with rinses, fruits or chewing gum.

• It helps a little to chew on a piece of nutmeg.
• As a preventive measure, it is possible to recommend only the refusal to drink alcoholic beverages.

Diseases of the internal organs

The source of unpleasant specific odors from the oral cavity can be problems with the gastrointestinal tract or upper respiratory tract, as well as inflammation of the ears, throat or nose. In this case definitely need to see a doctor. In addition to the main treatment, try a few recipes:

• For diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, take a tablespoon of dandelion roots, centaury grass, peppermint leaves and large plantain, pour 400 ml of boiling water and leave for 2-3 hours. The infusion is taken 3 times a day, 50 ml, half an hour before meals, and they also rinse their mouth several times a day.
• The smell associated with diseases of the stomach or intestines will help to remove salt water. Dissolve a tablespoon of salt in half a liter of water, drink water in the morning on an empty stomach. Repeat the process for five days. To avoid irritation in the stomach, a few minutes after drinking water, be sure to drink something milky or eat porridge. Similar purge contraindicated with any inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.
• If the cause of the smell is inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, try an herbal infusion for rinsing the mouth from the leaves and flowers of marshmallow, marigold and yarrow flowers, and plantain leaves. In the evening, take a tablespoon of each plant, pour 400 ml of water and insist until morning. Rinse 5-6 times a day.

Dry mouth

You, for certain, paid attention to the fact that in the mornings the breath is not fresh. This is due to the fact that the work of the salivary glands slows down at night. Saliva is the strongest natural antiseptic. With its lack of bacteria in the oral cavity multiply more actively and, consequently, there is a smell from the mouth. Dryness can be caused by serious illness such as diabetes, gastrointestinal diseases, infections, so this is a reason to see a doctor. If the possibility of a serious illness is excluded, dryness can occur due to medication, beriberi, menopause, and also in people who, by virtue of their profession, are forced to talk a lot.

• Chewing gum helps to get rid of dryness. Chewing stimulates salivation.
• Drink more water. Make it a rule to drink a glass of water every hour.
• Avoid alcohol, smoking, sweets, and caffeinated drinks.
• Eat more fruits - fruit acids stimulate salivation.

Happy communication!

Halitosis or bad breath is a fairly common nuisance faced by a large number of adults and children. Halitosis is a serious problem and with psychological point vision that interferes with full communication. Patients who encounter halitosis give it a variety of descriptions: foul, bad, fetid, purulent, or terrible breath. Some people are not even aware of the existence of this problem - for some reason, others behave delicately and do not talk about the presence of a terrible smell.

The problem of an unpleasant, and sometimes even a terrible smell from the oral cavity is not always solved with a toothbrush and paste - often halitosis becomes a symptom of the disease.

An overview of the causes of bad breath in adults

Bad breath appears quite unexpectedly and can be both periodic and permanent. There can be many reasons why there is bad breath not only in an adult, but also in a child - from the banal neglect of timely hygiene or dryness of the oral cavity to the manifestation of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and other organs and systems. There are the following types of halitosis:

• true (manifested both as a result of diseases and as a physiological feature of the body) - a strong and persistent halitosis, which is noticed by others;
• pseudohalitosis is characterized by mild fresh breath, which is felt by the interlocutor with fairly close contact;
• halitophobia - fear of halitosis, where the patient is convinced of his stale breath.

More often it stinks from the mouth in the morning, namely, after waking up, even before the patient has breakfast. Often the cause of bad breath in the mouth is that the person ate in the evening. In addition, the formation of the so-called stench from the oral cavity is affected by alcohol, tobacco and microorganisms.

Common causes of halitosis:

• chronic diseases ear-nose-throat systems;
• ulcers and gastritis;
• inflammation of the gums (stomatitis, gingivitis, periodontitis);
• dryness in the mouth;
• poor oral hygiene.

Poor oral hygiene

If a person is not an adherent of cleanliness of the oral cavity and does not observe hygiene, he cannot boast of fresh breath at all. Bad breath (or physiological halitosis) in such cases is due to:

1. plaque on the tongue and teeth;
2. a disease characterized by tartar;
3. remnants of food in the mouth;
4. alcoholic drinks and smoking.

If it is not enough to follow oral hygiene, then bacteria appear on the accumulated plaque, due to which hydrogen sulfide is formed on the surface of the tongue. This substance can cause fetid and unpleasant breath, sometimes even resembling pus.

To get rid of this kind of halitosis, it is necessary to observe simple oral hygiene: brush your teeth 2 times a day, rinse every time after eating and, if necessary, use toothpicks. Often, in the fight against bad smell, various decoctions of herbs come to the rescue, which, regardless of its cause, have a beneficial effect on the gums. These herbs include: mint, chamomile flowers, calendula, sage.

It should be noted that in order to avoid problems with teeth, the child should clean them from a young age and keep them healthy. This will help children not to face the problem of halitosis.

Microbial plaque and tartar

Microbial plaque and tartar can also cause a bad and sometimes pungent odor. Tartar is usually called microbial plaque, which has not come off the enamel during cleaning, and begins to harden. This process does not require much time and begins within 12-16 hours.

Tartar can be both supragingival and subgingival. The first option is noticeable visually and is removed with relative ease. As for the second option, namely, subgingival tartar, it appears under the gum and is not noticeable at first sight. It can be identified by the frequent bleeding of the gums and their blue tint. Such a stone is difficult and painful to remove.

To avoid problems with tartar and related occurrence bad breath, it is necessary to adhere daily hygiene mouth. Poor oral care is the cause of not only halitosis, but also most dental diseases.

Inflammation of the gums

When a fetid odor is not removed by simple brushing or rinsing the mouth, gum disease may be the cause. Especially if there is bleeding.

A patient experiencing gingivitis should urgently consult a doctor for treatment. Despite the fact that with gingivitis there is practically no pain in the gums, this is not a harmless disease at all - delaying its treatment can cause not only halitosis, but also periodontal disease - a serious gum disease. If it is delayed with its treatment, then the consequences can be sad.

Inflammation of the gums can be partially removed with the help of rinses, for which herbal decoctions, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, etc. are used. These remedies will help to get rid of bad breath for a while.

Often an unpleasant spirit appears in the mouth in adults and children with a disease such as stomatitis. That is, in order to get rid of halitosis in this case, it is necessary to cure stomatitis.

Caries

The sudden appearance of a pungent odor from the oral cavity can be a symptom of the appearance of caries on the teeth. Caries is a process that refers to the destruction of tooth enamel. As a rule, it begins as a result of exposure to the tooth. different kind acids.

Caries not only “stinks”, but also differs from other dental diseases in that it is visually manifested by white spots on the teeth. With the advent similar signs consult a doctor to prevent the development of caries to destructive stages.

The appearance of an unpleasant odor during caries is explained by the fact that in the affected tooth there are cavities in which various substances accumulate. It is practically impossible to clean these cavities, which causes the decomposition of accumulated substances and, as a result, halitosis.

Tooth decay under the crown

When halitosis occurs in a patient who has teeth with crowns, it is necessary to check whether the teeth under them are rotting? This can happen due to insufficient treatment of the diseased tooth before installing the crown. As a result of such an error, bacteria can multiply under the box, causing halitosis and emitting a smell of pus.

To fix this problem, visit a doctor. He will carry out the necessary manipulations with the aching tooth, and the smell will go away.

Chronic ENT diseases

As mentioned above, the appearance of a terrible aroma from the oral cavity may appear due to various kinds of diseases. These include chronic ENT diseases.

Often halitosis is caused by chronic tonsillitis and pharyngitis. As a result, plaque and abscesses appear on the tonsils. The cause of halitosis can be inflammatory diseases of the nasal cavity: sinusitis, sinusitis, etc. After the treatment prescribed by the doctor, bad breath goes away.

Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

People suffering from various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract often complain about the appearance of an unpleasant odor - this may be its main cause.

In addition to bad breath, the patient may complain of other symptoms:

• poor immunity;
• decrease in the amount of saliva;
• appearance in the language of a conspicuous white plaque.

If there is an unpleasant smell from the mouth, it is necessary to consult a doctor who will prescribe tests, examination of the gastrointestinal tract and appropriate treatment.

Dysbacteriosis of the oral cavity

If microflora disturbances occur in the oral cavity, then dysbacteriosis can result. Often it appears as a result of a disease such as intestinal dysbacteriosis, caused by excessive use of antibiotics.

As medical practice shows, dysbacteriosis in the mouth can also be the result of the abuse of means for the cleanliness of the oral cavity. The presence of this kind of dysbacteriosis is almost always accompanied by an unpleasant odor from the oral cavity. For the treatment of violations of the microflora of the mouth, there are special medicines provided in the form of tablets, ointments, sprays and solutions.

Mouth breathing

If a person, for any reason, begins to breathe through his mouth, then dryness appears in it, which, in turn, causes an unpleasant odor. Most often this is observed at night, when the sleeper breathes through his mouth due to a runny nose or snoring. In the morning, dryness and a stale aroma are removed by brushing your teeth, as well as after eating breakfast. For the freshness of the oral cavity, rinsing with mint decoctions is used.

Home / Miscellaneous

Bad breath, or halitosis as it is called in medical parlance, can cause a lot of problems in daily life.

And if a person is looking for an answer to the question of how to permanently get rid of bad breath at home, then the problem worries him for a long time.

Obsessive halitosis occurs due to various factors, but about 70-80% of all causes are hidden in improper oral hygiene and comorbidities- caries, pulpitis, stomatitis, periodontal disease.

Other causes of chronic mouth disease may include developing and acute forms of organ diseases:

If you suspect any disease, you should consult a doctor. Without eliminating the cause of bad breath in adults, treatment with folk remedies and other methods at home will not be effective.

It is necessary to use drugs from a pharmacy to treat bad breath as prescribed by a doctor in combination with the treatment of the disease that caused the pathology:

There are several ways that will indicate how to quickly get rid of the smell of garlic from the mouth. They will also help to eliminate the onion aroma:

To prevent an unpleasant odor caused by reasons other than the pathology of internal organs, you need to monitor the health of your teeth and brush them 2-3 times a day.

The use of dental floss or an irrigator will improve the quality of dental hygiene. It is also important to clean the tongue with the outside of the brush - a lot of harmful substances accumulate on it!

Bad breath is not only a barrier to communication and a cause of self-doubt, but can also signal a serious pathology. We turned to a therapist to learn about the causes and ways to deal with an uncomfortable problem.

Ardeeva Irina Mikhailovna,
doctor-therapist of the highest qualification category,
medical center "Horizont"

With halitosis - that's what bad breath is called - sooner or later almost every person encounters. The question is whether this is temporary or the problem is permanent. Sometimes the person himself may not notice the unpleasant odor. There are the following self-diagnosis methods:

• Take a cotton pad or tissue and put it on the back third of your tongue, then take it out and smell it.
• Smell the floss or toothpick a minute after use.
• Breathe into your palm and sniff.
• Put a gauze bandage on your face and walk around in it for about 5 minutes. The smell accumulated on the bandage corresponds to the smell from the mouth.
• You can use a special pocket apparatus that determines the concentration of hydrogen sulfide during breathing - a halimeter, with a scale from 0 to 4 points.

Causes of temporary bad breath may be:

• Long-term use of certain drugs - hormonal, antihistamines, antidepressants, diuretics, antibacterials, which reduce the production of saliva and lead to the occurrence of halitosis.
• Breathing through the mouth with intense: dry mouth appears, and therefore halitosis occurs.
• Stress, prolonged nervous overload adversely affect the entire body. This may include dry mouth.

In 80% of cases, halitosis is caused by diseases of the oral cavity: carious teeth, periodontitis, gingivitis, stomatitis various etiologies, diseases of the salivary glands of the tongue, etc.

Therefore, before you run to the doctor, answer yourself the question: do you pay enough attention to oral hygiene? It includes:

• thorough cleaning 2 times a day of teeth, dental gaps using dental floss, cheeks, using special brushes or a scraper,
• rinsing the mouth with warm water after each meal or snack,
• the use of rinses (not antibacterial),
• held 2 times a year professional cleaning oral cavity by a dentist.

If you pay due attention to the prevention of oral diseases, but the smell is still present, you should contact dentist and receive appropriate treatment.

If dental treatment is ineffective, next specialist it should be ENT doctor. The cause of bad breath can be chronic tonsillitis. Enlarged, loose palatine tonsils with wide gaps in which the smallest food particles and dying epithelial cells accumulate, this is a suitable place for numerous bacteria. If chronic tonsillitis is detected, it will be necessary to undergo a course of conservative treatment: washing the lacunae of the tonsils with antiseptic solutions, physiotherapy. Also, chronic rhinitis and sinusitis are often accompanied by the formation of thick, fetid mucus, which, getting into the nasopharynx and then into the pharynx, can cause bad breath.

If no pathology is detected by the otorhinolaryngologist, then you need to be examined by therapist or gastroenterologist, since the causes of halitosis can also be diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, kidneys, metabolic problems (diabetes mellitus).

Previously, a “problem” place in the body can be identified by the nature of the smell .

• Sour breath can be with stomach ulcers, duodenal ulcers, with gastritis with increased acid-forming function, with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). Halitosis also occurs with cholecystitis, cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatitis, intestinal dysbacteriosis, and diseases of the esophagus.
• With a smell reminiscent of the smell of rotten meat, eggs, you need to undergo an examination to exclude decompensated cirrhosis of the liver with the presence of liver failure.
• Putrid smell from the mouth can also be with some lung diseases, accompanied by the release of purulent sputum.
• The sweet smell of ripe apples or the smell of acetone may be a sign of decompensated diabetes mellitus; urgent help is required.
• If the breath smells like urine, emergency medical attention is also required, as there is a high probability of kidney failure.

From the foregoing, it becomes clear that in the presence of halitosis, it is necessary to consult a doctor in order to diagnose the disease and treat it.

Recommendations for reducing discomfort and discomfort in halitosis

• You can urgently get rid of bad breath by chewing coffee beans: they neutralize it.
• You can use rinses, toothpastes, gels containing carbamide peroxide, triclosan, cetylpyridine.
• It helps with halitosis by rinsing the mouth with diluted hydrogen peroxide (1 tsp per 1 glass of water) or soda solution (4-5 times a day).
• good effect give daily rinses of the mouth with infusions of herbs: chamomile, mint, alfalfa, dill, yarrow, and propolis.
• The intensity of the smell reduces the use of essential oils (sage, tea tree, clove).

But it is better not to deal with the consequences of the problem, but to deal with the problem itself. Do not complicate your life and do not start the disease - go to the doctor.

The problem of bad breath is quite common and reaches 80-90% of the adult population, but only in 25% of cases bad breath is persistent and its cause is the presence of a chronic pathological process in the human body. Halitosis is caused, as a rule, by a disease of the digestive organs (stomach, liver, intestines, teeth and oral cavity). In most cases, it occurs due to the accumulation in the human mouth - on the tongue, around the teeth and between the teeth - a large number of anaerobic bacteria.

This condition is also known as "halitosis" or "halitosis", "ozostomy", "stomatodisody". The problem of bad breath is by no means intractable. The methods of its treatment are usually very simple and effective - you just need to correctly recognize the main cause of the unpleasant odor.

Do you have bad breath?

Of course, under certain circumstances, each of us may develop bad breath - and we ourselves will often be able to find out about this only by the reaction of people around us. Determining if you have bad breath is often difficult, primarily because the mouth, the source of all these odors, is connected to the nose through an opening located at the back of the mouth, in the soft palate. And since the nose "filters" the odors that arise in the back of the mouth, it also filters this most unpleasant odor. That is, you, quite possibly, have this smell from your mouth - but you yourself do not know about it.

If even our own noses can't tell us with certainty what our breath smells like, can we still know? One way is to get the opinion of one of your closest relatives on this matter. You can also make the same request to a close friend, or to your dentist at the next visit to him. If this question seems too personal to you and you are afraid to "entrust" it to adults, do not be embarrassed and ask your children about it. As we well know, it is through their mouths that the truth often speaks.

Is it possible to independently determine how your breath smells?

Such methods are also known. For example, lick your wrist, let the saliva dry for about five seconds, and then smell the area. Well, how? This is exactly how you smell. Or, to be precise, this is what the front of your tongue smells like.

Now try to figure out what it smells like rear end your language. Take a spoon, turn it over, and scrape it on the furthest part of your tongue. (Don't be surprised if you choke on this.) Look at the stuff you've scraped off your tongue on the spoon - it's usually thick and whitish. Now sniff it. This is the smell of your breath (as opposed to the smell of the front of the tongue) that others are most likely to smell.

The main cause of bad breath

Now you know that in most cases, the source of bad breath is the white matter that covers the back of the tongue. Or, to be more precise, the bacteria that live in this white substance.

There is another, also very common cause of bad breath - these are bacteria that accumulate in other areas of the mouth.

What conditions or circumstances can cause or exacerbate bad breath? Many of these factors are somehow related to:

Oral bacteria.
- Conditions that stimulate the growth of these bacteria.
- Poor cleaning of those areas where bacteria accumulate.

Can food cause bad breath?

Certain foods have a long history of causing bad breath, such as onions and garlic. When food is digested, its constituent molecules are absorbed by our body and then removed from it by the blood stream.

Some of these molecules, which have very characteristic and unpleasant odors, enter our lungs with the blood stream. They are excreted from the lungs during exhalation - hence the unpleasant odor. Although this kind of bad smell is a rather annoying problem, we will not discuss it in detail in these pages. The unpleasant smell caused by the use of certain foods usually disappears by itself in a day or two - as soon as the body removes all the "bad-smelling" molecules. And getting rid of such a smell is quite simple - you just need to exclude such products from your diet or reduce their use to a minimum.

Does smoking contribute to bad breath?

You probably had to meet people who smoke heavily, whose breath has a specific smell. Although many factors contribute to the formation of bad breath associated with smoking, the main ones are nicotine, tar and other foul-smelling substances found in tobacco smoke. These substances accumulate on the teeth and soft tissues of the smoker's mouth - gums, buccal tissue, tongue. And again, we will make a reservation - we will not discuss this type of unpleasant smell in detail on these pages either. The only way to completely get rid of such a smell - quit smoking (although if you bring your oral hygiene to perfection, this smell can be somewhat weakened). Note also that smoking itself dehydrates the tissues of the mouth. This weakens the moisturizing and disinfecting effect of saliva, which washes away bacteria and their waste products. Dry mouth is discussed in more detail below. It is known that people who smoke more often there are problems associated with periodontal disease ("gum disease").

Periodontal disease is also caused by bacterial activity. Gum disease and its association with bad breath is discussed in more detail below.

Does xerostomia (dry mouth) contribute to bad breath?

Even if you don't have any particular odor problems, you've probably noticed that in the morning, when you just woke up, your breath is much less fresh. This happens because our mouth "dries up" at night - because during sleep our body produces less saliva. The result of this drying is "morning breath". A similar "drying out effect" is often noticed in themselves, for example, by teachers or lawyers who have to talk for several hours - this also dries up the mouth. Some people suffer from chronic dry mouth - this condition is called xerostomia. It is even more difficult for them to solve problems with fresh breath. The moisture in our mouths aids in cleansing. We constantly swallow saliva - and with each sip, millions of bacteria are washed out of our mouths, as well as food particles that these bacteria feed on. In addition, saliva dissolves and washes away the waste products of bacteria that live in the mouth.

Saliva - special form moisturizing mouth liquid, a kind of natural mouth cleaner. Any moisture can have a cleansing and dissolving effect; saliva, in addition, contains special components that kill bacteria and neutralize their waste products. When the mouth dries out, the beneficial effect of saliva is greatly reduced. The neutralization of bacteria slows down and the conditions for their growth improve.

Chronic drying of the mouth - xerostomia - can also be a side effect of taking certain medications. Xerostomia can be caused by antihistamines (allergy and cold medicines), antidepressants, blood pressure medications, diuretics, tranquilizers, and narcotics. Dry mouth can get worse with age. Over time, our salivary glands stop working with the same efficiency, and the composition of saliva also changes. This leads to the fact that the cleansing properties of saliva weaken. People who have had xerostomia for a long time are more likely to develop periodontal disease (gum disease). Gum disease can also be the cause of bad breath.

Can periodontal disease cause bad breath?

Periodontal disease, commonly referred to simply as "gum disease," can also be a cause of bad breath. Ask any dentist - the smell of gum disease is very specific, and an experienced doctor can determine the presence of such a disease even before examining the patient.

Diseases of the oral cavity are the second most common cause of bad breath (the first, as you remember, is the accumulation of bacteria).

More often they occur in people over 35 years of age - that is, than older man, the more likely it is that the problem with fresh breath is caused by the condition of his gums. Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection of the soft tissues surrounding the teeth. If such a disease is started, it can lead to serious damage to the bone into which our teeth are “inserted”. Often, as the disease progresses, gaps (called "periodontal pockets" by dentists) form between the teeth and gums, in which large numbers of bacteria accumulate. These pockets are so deep that they are difficult to clean properly; bacteria and their waste products that accumulate in them also cause an unpleasant odor.

Can a respiratory disease cause bad breath?

Of course it can. Diseases of the upper respiratory tract, allergies - all these diseases lead to the fact that mucous secretions begin to flow from the nasal cavity into the oral cavity, through an opening in the soft palate. The accumulation of these secretions in the mouth can also cause bad breath.

People with sinus disease often have a stuffy nose, forcing them to breathe through their mouths. Breathing through the mouth causes it to dry out, which, as we already know, also causes bad breath. People with sinus disease often take antihistamine (anti-allergic) drugs, which also dry out the mouth.

What dental diseases can cause bad breath?

In most cases, the occurrence of an unpleasant odor in the mouth is associated with various diseases of the oral cavity itself. Any active infection in the mouth, such as a tooth abscess or a partially erupted wisdom tooth, can cause bad breath. Extensive untreated carious cavities teeth can accumulate a large number of bacteria and food debris, which also cause an unpleasant odor. If you have such diseases, during the examination, your dentist will definitely identify them and offer effective methods of treatment.

Can other untreated diseases cause bad breath?

Some diseases of the internal organs can also cause an unpleasant odor. If the patient has tried all the usual ways to eliminate an unpleasant odor in such cases, but they have not led to anything, then a visit to the therapist will not hurt. Your doctor, of course, knows which diseases are most likely in your case; but, for general information, - bad breath can occur with diseases of the respiratory tract, liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal diseases.

Can dentures cause bad breath?

Dentures (full, partial, removable, etc.) can have a significant impact on the freshness of your breath. If you wear any type of denture, a simple test can be done to see if your denture is causing bad breath:

Remove your dentures and place them in a covered container, such as a plastic lunch box. Close it tightly and leave it like that for five minutes. Then sharply open it and immediately smell it. About the same smell from your mouth and feel the people with whom you speak.

Although in most cases bad breath is caused by bacteria accumulating on the tongue, on or around the teeth (periodontal disease), bacteria can also accumulate on the surface of dentures and this can also cause bad breath.

What is actually the main cause of bad breath?

In most cases, the occurrence of bad breath is associated with the condition of the oral cavity. Namely - an unpleasant odor is usually caused by bacteria that live in it. Bacteria, like humans, consume food and excrete its waste throughout their lives. The waste products of certain types of bacteria are sulfur compounds, and they are the cause of an unpleasant odor. Remember how a rotten egg smells? This odor is also caused by the formation of a sulfur compound, hydrogen sulfide, in the egg. The characteristic smell of compost heaps or barnyards also owes its "fragrance" to the presence of a sulfur compound - methyl mercaptan. And both of these compounds secrete bacteria that live in our mouths. These substances are collectively referred to as "volatile sulfur compounds" (VSCs). The term "volatile" means that these substances evaporate quickly, even at normal temperatures. The "volatility" of these compounds explains their ability to quickly penetrate, so to speak, into the noses of the people around us. Although these substances mainly form bad breath, bacteria. living in the oral cavity, emit other products that have a very unpleasant odor. Here is some of them:

Kadavrin is a substance that forms a characteristic putrid odor.
- Putrescine - forming a stench when meat rots.
- Skatol is the main component of the smell of human feces.

You will probably be quite surprised to learn that in an ordinary human mouth there can be such a "bouquet" of unpleasant odors - but this is true, and, unfortunately, there are no exceptions. Each person, to one degree or another, has these, so to speak, aromas in his breath. Fortunately, the human sense of smell does not pick up these odors if their concentration in the breath is low. Only when it rises does the same characteristic unpleasant odor form.

What types of bacteria cause bad breath?

Most of the chemical compounds that cause an unpleasant odor (hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, cadavrine, putrescine, skatol) are secreted by anaerobic bacteria (their more accurate name is gram-negative anaerobes). The term "anaerobic" means that they live and reproduce best in places where there is no oxygen. In our mouths, there is a constant struggle for living space between bacteria that secrete products that form an unpleasant smell, and other bacteria that do not. The freshness of our breath is determined, in fact, by the degree of balance in the presence of both bacteria. A buildup of plaque (the white film that forms on the tongue and teeth - at the gum line and below) can tip this balance in favor of bad breath bacteria. Imagine - a layer of plaque only one or two tenths of a millimeter thick (that is, about a banknote thick) already contains no oxygen at all - that is, there is no better place for bacteria to be found. Therefore, as plaque builds up, more and more odor-forming bacteria colonize it - which means that each of our exhalations contains more and more compounds secreted by these bacteria.

What do anaerobic bacteria feed on that produce bad breath?

Most of the foul-smelling substances that cause bad breath are excreted by bacteria after the consumption of proteins. That is, when we eat foods such as meat or fish, the bacteria living in our mouth get their share of food. And what they secrete after eating, and there are those same compounds. which cause an unpleasant odour. anaerobic bacteria find squirrels - their favorite food - in anything, even the cheeseburger you ate. In addition, in our mouths there will always be "natural" protein food for them - for example, dead skin cells, or numerous protein components contained in saliva. If you use your toothbrush and floss irregularly, a real feast for bacteria forms in your mouth - food leftovers from today's breakfast, yesterday's dinner, the day before yesterday's lunch ...

What foods contain the most protein?

Meat, fish and seafood, eggs, dairy products (milk, cheeses and yogurts) - there is a lot of protein in all these products. Most people get about two-thirds of the proteins they need from them. Other sources of protein are cereals and products from them, nuts, leguminous plants (peas, beans and lentils). The ingredients found in many of our favorite desserts (like cakes and pies) turn these delicious meals into true protein pantries.

Where do the bacteria that cause bad breath live?

In most cases, these bacteria accumulate on the tongue, but they have many other "habitats".

Language

Remember the "experiment" we recommended you do at the beginning of this section. Although the smell produced in the anterior region of our tongue may not be the most pleasant, it is usually not the main source of problems with freshness of breath. The main "component" of an unpleasant odor is formed in the back of the tongue. Go to the mirror, stick out your tongue and examine it carefully. You will surely see a whitish coating on its surface. Closer to the back of the tongue, this plaque becomes more dense. The number of bacteria that accumulate on the human tongue depends on the texture of its surface. In people whose tongue surface has more folds, grooves and indentations, this number will be greater than in people with a smoother surface of the tongue. In order to create a favorable environment for the life of bacteria in the white layer on the tongue - i.e. devoid of oxygen - this layer can be only one to two tenths of a millimeter thick. Such an "oxygen-free" environment is also called "anaerobic"; It is in it that bacteria live and multiply best. Studies have shown that the number of bacteria on the human tongue directly depends on the thickness of the white layer covering it. And as you can guess, the freshness of your breath depends on the number of bacteria: the fewer of them, the fresher it is.

Periodontal sources

Bad breath bacteria thrive in other areas of the mouth besides the tongue. You may have noticed that flossing also sometimes causes an unpleasant odor. And perhaps this smell becomes more noticeable when you start cleaning between back teeth. In the gaps between the teeth, bacteria that form an unpleasant odor also find refuge. Dentists call these areas "periodontal" ("paro" means "about" and "dont" means "tooth"). Even in a more or less healthy mouth, bacteria can find an oxygen-deprived (anaerobic) environment, such as under the gum line, around and between teeth. And in people suffering from periodontal disease ("gum disease"), the number of such anaerobic "corners" increases many times over. Periodontal disease often results in damage to the bone that surrounds the teeth. This, in turn, leads to the formation of depressions between the teeth and gums (dentists call them "periodontal pockets"). These pockets are generally very difficult or impossible to clean and make an ideal anaerobic environment for odor-causing bacteria to live and multiply.

How to get rid of an unpleasant smell?

Since the main source of bad breath is the foul-smelling secretions of bacteria (volatile sulfur compounds), main way get rid of them - clean the oral cavity so that:

Deprive bacteria of nutrients.
- Reduce the number of bacteria already accumulated in the mouth.
- Weaken the anaerobic environment in which bacteria live and multiply.
- Do not allow the formation of new foci of reproduction of bacteria.

In addition, cleaners can be used that reduce the activity of odor-causing volatile sulfur compounds.

How to deprive bacteria of nutrients?

As you remember, the main source of bad breath is the foul-smelling waste products of the vital activity of bacteria, which they secrete during the digestion of proteins. Therefore, people who eat a vegetarian diet (consisting mainly of fruits and vegetables) are less likely to have problems with fresh breath than those who consume a lot of protein foods, such as meat. In addition, it is very important to clean the oral cavity in a timely and correct manner - especially after consuming protein-rich foods. After finishing breakfast, lunch or dinner, tiny particles of food remain in our mouths, which get stuck between the teeth, and also settle in a white coating on the back of the tongue. And since it is in these places that anaerobic bacteria that cause an unpleasant odor accumulate, not cleaning your mouth properly after eating will provide them with enough nutrients for a long time.

To get rid of bad breath, brush your teeth and gums. The bacteria that produce the products that cause bad breath also live in the plaque that builds up on the teeth and at the gum line. In order to reduce this plaque, prevent its further accumulation and remove food debris that "lingered" in the mouth and serve as food for bacteria, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the teeth and gums with a toothbrush and dental floss. Let me remind you once again about dental floss. If you do not clean carefully and daily the gaps between the teeth, where the toothbrush cannot penetrate, it is unlikely that you will be able to part with bad breath.

Diagnosis of the causes of bad breath

Particular attention should be paid to diagnostic methods. First of all, it is necessary to inform the attending physician about the presence of chronic diseases. It has been established that the appearance of bad breath is largely influenced by nutritional and hygienic factors, so patients are advised to refrain from eating, drinking, rinsing the mouth and smoking at least two hours before carrying out diagnostic measures.

The first is a hedonic research method, conducted by a doctor who evaluates the quality and strength of an unpleasant odor, and gives a score on the Rosenberg scale from 0 to 5 points. Most main disadvantage method - subjectivity.

The next step is to measure the amount of sulfur compounds in the exhaled air using a special sulfide monitoring device "Halimeter". Hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, and dimethyl sulfide account for 90% of all oral volatile sulfur compounds, so determining the concentration of these gases is the main way to determine the severity of halitosis.

The next step is a microbiological study. The diagnostic stage is very important, because depending on the source of the unpleasant odor and the reasons that caused it, the treatment tactics will depend.

Visit Your Dentist

If, after all the measures taken, the smell from the mouth does not disappear, call and make an appointment with your dentist for an appointment, where you can not only discuss the problem in detail, but also carry out the necessary procedures to clean your mouth. This may be the best solution because:

1) Not all people know how to most effectively use dental floss and a tooth cheek. After examining your mouth, the doctor will teach you the necessary techniques.

2) Effective cleaning of the teeth can be hindered by tartar that has grown on them. Your dentist will remove it.

3) If you have signs of periodontal disease ("gum disease"), the doctor will identify them and offer you appropriate treatment. Periodontal disease can seriously damage your teeth and the surrounding bone. This creates deep "pockets" between the teeth and gums where bacteria can accumulate - and they are so deep that they are difficult or even impossible to clean.

4) During the examination, your doctor will identify - if any - other untreated diseases that may increase bad breath.

5) If your doctor finds it unlikely that these diseases are the cause of the bad breath, he will suggest that you make an appointment with a therapist and give appropriate explanations.

It is necessary to thoroughly clean the tongue

Since most people tend to ignore this procedure, try making it part of your daily care behind the oral cavity. Very often, the use of this method alone - without additional measures - helps to eliminate an unpleasant odor. Recall again the "experiment" we recommended you do at the beginning of this section. Then we found that the front of the tongue has a less unpleasant odor than the back. This is because the anterior region of the tongue is constantly self-cleaning - and therefore less anaerobic bacteria accumulate on it. In the process of moving the tongue, its front part constantly rubs against the hard palate - this is how cleansing occurs. preventing the accumulation of bacteria. Unlike the front, the back of the tongue during its movement comes into contact only with the soft palate. In this case, effective cleaning is not obtained. Therefore, bacteria that cause bad breath accumulate mainly on the back of the tongue, and therefore this area needs periodic cleaning.

How to properly clean the tongue? In order to clean the back of the tongue, there are several ways, but they all have the same goal - to remove bacteria and food debris that accumulate in this area. When cleaning the tongue - no matter what method you use - you need to try to penetrate as far as possible in order to clean as much of its surface area as possible. If you start to choke, don't be surprised. This is a natural reaction, but over time this reflex should weaken.

How to clean the tongue with a toothbrush or a special brush.

To clean the surface of the tongue, you can use a toothbrush or a special tongue brush. Start brushing as far back as you can reach, then gradually move the brush strokes (directed forward) towards the front of the tongue. Movements should be made with some pressure on the surface of the tongue - but, of course, not too strong, so as not to cause irritation. To clean your tongue more effectively, you can use toothpaste, as it contains the same ingredients as mouth-cleansing liquids. You can learn more about this on the oral cleaners page. Pastes neutralizing volatile sulfur compounds. Because it is LSS that causes bad breath, toothpastes containing neutralizing LSS, such as chlorine dioxide or zinc, improve the freshness of your breath.

Pastes with antibacterial properties

If the toothpaste you use contains antibacterial agents - such as chlorine dioxide or cetylpyridone chloride - you can both expel and kill anaerobic bacteria when cleaning your tongue.

Although cleaning the tongue with a toothbrush can be quite satisfactory, many people prefer to use a special tongue scraper, believing this method to be more effective. Some patients claim that they choke less when scraping their tongue with a spoon than when cleaning it with a toothbrush or special brushes. In order to test your reaction to this method, you can conduct a simple experiment. Take an ordinary spoon in the kitchen (better than a teaspoon), turn it over and try to scrape her tongue. To do this, touch the back of the tongue with a spoon, press it lightly and pull it forward. Do it carefully, but without effort. Do not scrub too hard - this may irritate the surface of the tongue. If scraping as a method is not objectionable to you, buy a special spoon from the drugstore designed for this purpose. It is quite possible that it will clean the tongue more effectively than a teaspoon.

What types of liquid mouth cleaners can help get rid of bad breath?

Liquid mouthwashes, when used along with regular and effective tongue cleaning, brushing and flossing, can also help a lot in getting rid of bad breath. You should not just rely only on rinse aids and neglect the rest of the measures listed. The ability of liquid mouthwash to effectively fight bad breath is associated with some of its properties, namely:

A) antibacterial properties. If the mouthwash has the ability to kill bacteria, it can help reduce the amount of anaerobic bacteria in your mouth. Since it is these bacteria that secrete volatile sulfur compounds, which in turn form bad breath, the less of these bacteria in the mouth, the better.

C) The ability to neutralize volatile sulfur compounds. The composition of rinse aids includes components that have the ability to neutralize volatile sulfur compounds and the substances that form them. As you remember, volatile sulfur compounds are foul-smelling substances that form an unpleasant odor. If the purifier is able to reduce their content in your breath, then it will naturally be fresher.

Listed below are some substances that have the ability to effectively neutralize unpleasant odors. These substances are usually included in rinse aids sold in pharmacies.

A) Mouthwashes containing chlorine dioxide or sodium chlorite (Antibacterial / Neutralize volatile sulfur compounds)
Many dentists believe that mouthwashes containing chlorine dioxide or sodium chlorite, which produces chlorine dioxide, play a critical role in eliminating bad breath. Research data suggests that chlorine dioxide has a dual effect:

Chlorine dioxide is an oxidizing substance (meaning that it releases oxygen). Since most odor-causing bacteria are anaerobic (meaning they prefer to live in places where there is no oxygen), exposure to an oxidizing agent helps to reduce their numbers, which consequently reduces odor.

Chlorine dioxide also affects the level of volatile sulfur compounds in the mouth. It neutralizes those compounds that the bacteria have already isolated, and at the same time destroys those substances from which these compounds are subsequently formed. The result - the concentration of volatile sulfur compounds in the mouth is sharply reduced, and breathing, of course, becomes cleaner.

B) Zinc rinses (Neutralize volatile sulfur compounds)
Studies have shown that rinses containing zinc ions can also reduce the concentration of volatile sulfur compounds. It is believed that this is due to the ability of zinc ions to destroy those substances from which bacteria "make" sulfur compounds.

C) "Antiseptic" type rinses (Antibacterial)
"Antiseptic" cleaners (eg "Listerine" and equivalents) are also considered suitable odor neutralizers. The effectiveness of these products is related to their ability to kill bacteria that produce volatile sulfur compounds. However, "antiseptic" rinses themselves cannot destroy these compounds. Many dentists believe that "antiseptic" rinses are not the most the best choice. These statements are also caused by the fact that "antiseptic" rinses have a high alcohol content (often around 25 percent). Alcohol is a strong desiccant (dehydrating agent) and therefore dries out the soft tissues of the mouth. And if you remember our section on xerostomia, it is dry mouth that can be one of the causes of bad breath.

D) Rinses containing cetylpyridone chloride (antibacterial)
Cetylpyridinium chloride (cetylpyridinium chloride) is a component that is sometimes included in liquid rinses. With antibacterial action, it helps to reduce the number of anaerobic bacteria.

Do mints, lozenges, drops, sprays, and chewing gum help get rid of bad breath?

As well as liquid rinses, mints, lozenges, drops, sprays, chewing gum, etc. By themselves, they are not the most effective means of eliminating unpleasant odors. However, when used in combination with thorough and regular tongue cleaning, brushing, and flossing, these products can be very beneficial—especially if they contain substances (such as chlorine dioxide, sodium chlorite, and zinc) that can neutralize volatile sulfur compounds. In addition, mints, lozenges, and chewing gum stimulate saliva production. And we already know that saliva cleanses the oral cavity of bacteria and their secretions, which means it helps to get rid of an unpleasant odor.

How to use liquid rinse to achieve the greatest effect?

Bacteria that produce an unpleasant odor live both on the surface and in the depths of the white plaque that accumulates on and around the teeth, gums, tongue. An antibacterial rinse by itself cannot penetrate into the depth of this plaque, and therefore, before using such a cleaner, it is better to remove as much plaque as possible in your usual ways - by scraping your tongue, brushing your teeth and flossing. By rinsing your mouth with mouthwash after these procedures, you can remove the remaining bacteria. Rinse aid should not just be typed into the mouth, but should be rinsed thoroughly. Before rinsing, say "ah-ah-ah" - this will allow you to stick out your tongue, so that the rinse aid gets on its back area, where bacteria accumulate. After rinsing, the rinse aid should be spit out immediately. That is why children should not be allowed to use mouthwash - they may accidentally swallow it.

How to clean dentures

If your dentist has placed dentures in your mouth, they should definitely explain to you how to properly clean them. Since bacteria build up on your dentures just like on your natural teeth, on your tongue and gums, your doctor will advise you to clean both the outside and the inside of your dentures with a regular toothbrush or special brush. After cleaning the dentures, they must be placed in a container with an antiseptic liquid (which one - your dentist will also advise you).

What steps can you take to get rid of bad breath?

Drink more water
Oddly enough, drinking plenty of water throughout the day will also help you reduce bad breath. With a lack of water, your body will try to retain it, which will reduce the production of saliva, and it will be less effective in dissolving and washing away bacteria and their secretions that form an unpleasant odor. Daily water intake in sufficient quantities is especially important for those suffering from xerostomia (chronic dryness of the mouth).

Rinse your mouth with water
Rinsing your mouth with plain water will also help you reduce bad breath for a short period of time. Rinsing also dissolves and washes away bacteria secretions that harm the freshness of your breath.

Stimulate salivation
It will also help you reduce bad breath. You remember that saliva cleanses the mouth, dissolves and washes away bacteria and their secretions. The easiest way to stimulate salivation is to chew something. When chewing - anything - your body thinks that you are eating, and therefore it gives a signal to increase the production of saliva. (Saliva is a very important component in the digestion of food). You can, for example, chew clove seeds, dill, mint or parsley. Peppermints, chewing gum, and mints can help salivate. But: if you prefer these foods, make sure they are sugar-free. Sugar promotes the growth of those bacteria that can cause cavities.

Watch your oral hygiene especially carefully after eating protein foods.
Anaerobic bacteria release volatile sulfur compounds - the cause of bad breath - as a result of the consumption of proteins. After you have eaten meat, fish, or any other protein-rich food, clean your mouth thoroughly so that the smallest particles of protein food do not serve as a breeding ground for anaerobic bacteria.

Treatment of helminthiases helps to eliminate bad breath in children
Scientists note that parents often notice bad breath in children with intestinal helminthiasis (especially with enterobiasis), which disappears after the eradication of helminths. Scientists suggest that the cause of an unpleasant odor may be stagnation of intestinal contents due to the presence of worms.

What diseases cause bad breath?

• Diseases of the teeth and gums

Taking many medications can also adversely affect the freshness of breath.

Treatment for bad breath

First of all, for diagnosis and treatment, you need to contact your dentist. The doctor will identify whether there is caries or gum disease, will sanitize (disinfect) the oral cavity, remove tartar if present. As a rule, after this, the smell ceases to bother most patients.

If the dentist concludes that the smell does not originate in the oral cavity, but in deeper structures of the body, he will refer you to a general practitioner.

The therapist will prescribe an examination to determine the cause of your concerns and will treat the disease that he identifies. Many will be disappointed that they did not find the name of the pill for bad breath here, but smart people will understand that the treatment will be different depending on your personal cause of the smell. May need whole complex drugs, including antibiotics, which, as you know, cannot be consumed without determining the pathogen, and this can only be done through medical tests.

Which doctor should I contact if bad breath occurs:

• Dentist
• Gastroenterologist
• Therapist (general practitioner)

Bad breath is a real problem for many. modern people. On the one hand, it causes discomfort to others, since communication with a person who smells bad cannot cause positive emotions. On the other hand, this phenomenon can provoke the development of complexes in the carrier of an unpleasant odor. Some people are ashamed of communicating with relatives and friends because of the presence of an unpleasant smell. Consider how to overcome bad breath, the causes and treatment of this problem.
To effectively combat this phenomenon, it is very important to correctly determine the cause of its development. Bad odors on breathing and talking are a characteristic symptom of many diseases. Some of them do not pose a threat to life and appear as a result of a violation metabolic processes or neglect of oral hygiene. However, in other situations, the cause of this phenomenon can be quite dangerous ailments that require immediate treatment. An example is the development of tumor processes in the throat, one of the main symptoms of which is the appearance of bad breath.
In medicine, the appearance of bad breath is called halitosis. This is not a disease, but a phenomenon that appears due to certain disorders in the body.
Doctors consider halitosis primarily as a symptom. Given the significant discomfort that it causes to the patient, many people seek to get rid of the unpleasant odor as quickly as possible. As mentioned earlier, the process of treating this phenomenon depends on the causes of its occurrence.
Very often, not popular enough to combat unpleasant odors. hygiene products(mouthwashes, special toothpastes or breath fresheners), in such a situation it is important to eliminate the cause of the bad smell.

The problem of bad breath was considered by ancient philosophers, who stated that nothing spoils a person like an “untidy mouth”. Nowadays, in various countries, from 30 to 65% of the population suffers from this disease. It should be noted that residents of highly developed countries, whose citizens very often lead an unhealthy lifestyle, are most affected by this phenomenon.

Where to look for the causes of halitosis

In most cases, the cause of the development of the disease lies in:

In the first case, the main reason for the appearance of a bad smell is poor hygiene and the development of inflammatory processes in the oral cavity. If the cause lies in the respiratory tract, as a rule, the appearance of halitosis is caused by viral, infectious or chronic inflammatory processes.
If the problem lies in the gastrointestinal tract, the stench appears due to a wide variety of digestive disorders or diseases of the digestive system. Violations at work endocrine glands can greatly affect the composition of hormonal substances in the body. An increase in the concentration of certain hormones in saliva can provoke bad breath.

How to identify the presence of halitosis yourself

Very often people do not even realize that their breath is stale. There are also situations when a person is ashamed of his breath, considering it fetid, absolutely for no reason.
There are several ways that allow you to detect halitosis at home. The easiest way is to ask a loved one a question and ask for a frank answer, but not everyone is able to take this step, so the following methods will also work.

The fact is that a person very often does not feel his own smell, which others feel. This is the main reason why many do not even know that there is a problem.
It is best to test at home in the afternoon or evening. It is important that at least three hours pass after hygiene procedures. Some toothpastes can significantly mask odors for a certain amount of time.
Next, we will consider in detail the causes of bad breath and the treatment of this phenomenon.

The main causes of halitosis

In most cases, the causes of bad breath are hidden in the mouth. In this case, the help of a professional dentist may be required. Among the main reasons for the development of gilitosis are:

If the causes of bad breath are not related to the oral cavity, the situation worsens significantly, as this may indicate the presence of serious health problems. Very often, an unpleasant odor is associated with respiratory diseases. Its appearance may be caused by infectious or viral diseases, but in such a situation, halitosis will disappear after complete recovery. Where the situation is more difficult develops in patients with chronic respiratory diseases. Chronic bronchitis, pharyngitis and other common diseases are often the cause of bad breath. If the stink from the mouth is associated with such ailments, it is almost impossible to get rid of it without stopping the chronic inflammatory process. If the digestive processes are disturbed, an unpleasant odor can appear, both due to the release of gases from the stomach, and due to changes in the composition of saliva.

First of all, such a problem is observed in patients with chronic gastritis, various ailments of the liver and pancreas. In a situation with liver diseases, a person can easily determine the presence of fetid odors by bitterness in the mouth. Halitosis due to hormonal disruptions is characteristic of a wide variety of disorders. Very often, a similar phenomenon is observed in women during the menstrual cycle. In such a situation, the composition of saliva changes significantly, which provokes an unpleasant odor.

The risk group includes people with tobacco or alcohol addiction. If a moderate use alcohol does not cause severe harm, abuse contributes to the development inflammatory processes in the stomach, liver problems and damage to the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat.

Tobacco also greatly increases the development of inflammatory processes in the oral cavity and respiratory system.
Bad breath in the morning is quite common. In such a situation, at night, due to insufficient saliva secretion and the presence of residues of small food particles, the number of harmful microorganisms that emit unpleasant odors greatly increases.
Most people manage to get rid of the bad smell after morning hygiene procedures. To completely eliminate the problem, it is enough to

thoroughly clean the oral cavity before going to bed and exclude the use of food in the evening.

Halitosis in tumor processes

Bad breath is regarded by oncologists as an alarming symptom indicating the development of tumor processes in the respiratory tract or oral cavity. In such a situation, bad breath is a consequence of the inflammatory process, which is provoked by the tumor.
With the development of cancer, a strong discharge of pus is characteristic. When a putrid odor appears, it is worth undergoing a medical examination. However, don't panic. This phenomenon can also be observed in the development of chronic inflammatory processes. An oncologist should be contacted if, in addition to bad breath, other alarming symptoms are also observed, which are characteristic of oncological diseases.

Bad breath is quite common in children. If at 4 years old a child has bad breath, there may be several reasons. It is quite difficult to teach children to brush their teeth thoroughly, so the reason most often lies in the poor hygienic condition of the oral cavity.
However, children are also often susceptible to the development of various infectious and viral diseases due to an insufficiently strengthened immune system. Your baby's bad breath can be caused by colds and viral diseases respiratory tract, as well as jaundice, which young children get sick quite often.
If the child does not have other alarming symptoms, most likely, the problem will be solved after improving the quality of hygiene care.

Who is most susceptible to the disease

There are several factors that significantly increase the risk of bad breath. The likelihood of developing halitosis greatly increases in the presence of:

• disorders in the work of the endocrine system;
• excess weight;
• salivation problems;
• increased gas formation during digestion;
• hormonal disruptions;
• immune system disorders;
• disorders in the work of the intestines;
• diseases of the stomach, liver and gallbladder;
• inflammatory processes in the oral cavity;
• bad habits (tobacco, alcohol or drug addiction).

As mentioned earlier, bad breath is often caused by various disorders in the body, so the presence of a variety of various factors significantly increase the likelihood of its occurrence. Poor hygienic condition of the oral cavity, combined with other, less significant factors, significantly aggravates the situation.
In the case of bad habits, a combined blow is applied to many body systems. Tobacco smoke significantly irritates the mucous membrane of the mouth, actively contributing to the appearance of inflammation. It also contributes to the development of chronic diseases. respiratory system, which leads to the appearance of a smell of pus. Alcohol harms the oral mucosa, respiratory system and stomach.

Professional diagnostics

If a person finds the presence of bad breath, first of all, you should contact your dentist. In 80% of cases of bad breath, problems are caused by dental reasons. The dentist will be able to carefully examine the oral cavity and find the cause of the problem, after which the doctor will prescribe the appropriate treatment.

If the appearance of halitosis is not associated with dentistry, the patient will have to visit specialists in a wide variety of areas to identify the cause of the pathology. Specialists such as a gastroenterologist, ENT, endocrinologist can help.

Treatment of halitosis

The process of treating halitosis depends on the cause of the development. this disorder. As mentioned above, in most cases this phenomenon is associated with oral cavity problems. To get rid of bad breath in such a situation, the help of a dentist and more thorough care for the hygienic condition of the mouth will be enough.
The dentist will help remove pathogenic microorganisms in the most inaccessible places, after which the inflammation will disappear. If the problem is caries, the dentist will treat this disease. You should also consult a dentist for oral care. This will help avoid problems in the future. To improve the condition of the oral cavity, you should:

• Pick the right toothbrush. It should not be too hard, since hard brushes irritate the mucous membrane due to excessive mechanical stress. The brush should be able to remove dirt from hard-to-reach places. Brush your teeth for at least 5 minutes. You also need to pay attention to removing plaque from the tongue.
• Choose the right one toothpaste. Some toothpastes have medicinal properties. Their use is recommended in case of inflammation of the gums and problems with the teeth and oral mucosa. However, some types of toothpaste irritate the mucous membranes. In certain situations, an individual reaction of the body to some of its constituent elements is possible. It is important to choose a toothpaste that will have the most beneficial effect on the oral cavity.
• Use dental floss. It will help to thoroughly remove plaque and food debris between the teeth. This is one of the main centers of development of pathogenic microorganisms.
• Use rinse solutions. The use of mouthwash will complement the positive effect of the fight against pathogenic microflora and help freshen your breath. Many of them contain extracts of beneficial herbs that help relieve inflammation.

You can also use aerosol-based mouth fresheners and chewing gums, but their effect is short-lived and not always noticeable.

If the cause of halitosis is hidden in another problem, it is important to identify and get rid of it. Many people learn what to do in such a situation from traditional medicine recipes. Indeed, folk remedies can be very effective. Garlic, lemon juice and ginger decoction will help improve the hygienic condition of the oral cavity. They also have a beneficial effect on the state of the respiratory system. A decoction of milk with sage helps to get rid of chronic diseases of the respiratory system. Many plants, vegetables and fruits have antibacterial properties. Medicinal plants can improve the functioning of all body systems, so a variety of folk recipes will help you find a way to treat any situation.
Do not forget that the help of a qualified specialist will help not only to choose the most optimal method of treatment, but also to identify a variety of, if they are the cause of an unpleasant odor. The treatment prescribed by the doctor can be combined with the use folk remedies to improve efficiency.
Since bad habits significantly contribute to the development of bad breath, it is almost impossible to get rid of the problem without giving up the use of tobacco, alcohol or drugs. Even if it is temporarily possible to eliminate the cause of the development of halitosis, very soon the problem will return again.
Normalization of the diet helps to establish digestive processes. It is important to eat fresh and boiled vegetables, with the exception of those that contribute to increased gas formation. It is very important to reduce the consumption of fried foods and fast food.
Bad breath is a solvable problem. In most cases, pathologies that cause this disease, do not cause severe damage to the health of the body and do not pose a threat to the life of the patient. However, this phenomenon should not be ignored, because if it is caused by certain disorders in the body, then complications may develop.

Bad breath - halitosis.
When bad breath smells - it's unpleasant. And not only to himself, so to speak, the source of trouble, but also to everyone who is nearby. Everyone knows that it won’t just smell so bad - this is a symptom of problems with the gastrointestinal tract or oral cavity. Bad breath can be associated with disorders in the gastrointestinal tract in diseases of the respiratory system, oral mucosa, as well as poor hygiene. Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to find out the root cause and begin treatment of the underlying disease.
The most common cause of bad breath is bad care behind the teeth. In women, halitosis is often associated with endocrinological problems. People with high blood sugar often complain of halitosis. And the special treatment prescribed by the dentist is often ineffective. This is not surprising - after all, the reason lies not in the mouth, but in the pancreas. So no dental hygiene products will help in this situation. The disease itself needs to be treated.
And while you are looking for the essence of the problem and treating it, read how to get rid of the smell (when the underlying disease passes, this symptom will also disappear).

Folk remedies can also perfectly cope with the problem of bad breath.

So, here are a few ways to get rid of bad breath:
1. Eat candied anise seeds and nuts every day on an empty stomach.
2. Mix 2 tbsp. vegetable oil (ideally olive) with 1 tsp. salt and rinse your mouth with this mixture for 3-5 minutes twice a day - in the morning and in the evening. Do not eat or drink anything after rinsing.
3. 20-30 drops of alcohol tincture of St. John's wort (made according to the instructions on the package) dilute in 0.5 tbsp. water and rinse your mouth.
4. Eat after each meal, write 0.5 tsp. ginger powder.
5. Eat 1-2 small apples on an empty stomach in the morning, rinsing your mouth with clean warm water before.

Rinsing for bad breath

1. Pour 0.5 liters of boiling water 2 tbsp. spoons of gray alder leaves. Leave overnight, strain. Rinse your mouth four to six times a day.
2. Pour 2 teaspoons of wormwood into a glass of boiling water, leave for 20 minutes, strain. Rinse your mouth four to six times a day.
3. Take equal proportions of oak bark, St. John's wort and nettle, birch leaf, chamomile flowers. Brew as a tea and drink 1/2 cup three to four times a day.

Take 2 tsp. anise seeds, pour them with 1 cup boiling water, leave for 20 minutes, and then strain. Rinse your mouth and throat after eating. Anise has anti-inflammatory, bactericidal action. It is good for respiratory and digestive systems, with its help you can cure many diseases of the throat and gums

Get rid of bad breath

Chew on a sage sprig or chew on a coffee bean.

Herbs to relieve bad breath

To reduce bad breath, medicinal plants are recommended that have bactericidal, antiseptic and deodorizing properties. The following infusions and decoctions have a good therapeutic effect.
Mix St. John's wort and wormwood (equally). Pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 tbsp. l. collection, leave for 45 minutes, strain. Rinse your mouth 4-5 times a day after meals, in the morning and at night.
Herb of wild strawberry, blackberry and peppermint (equally) - prepare an infusion with this collection and use as in the first recipe.
Mix calamus rhizomes and oak bark in equal parts. Pour 1 tbsp. l. collecting 0.5 l of water, bring to a boil, boil for 15 minutes, let it brew for 20 minutes and strain. The resulting decoction is also used for rinsing several times a day after meals.

Folk remedies for bad breath

There can be several reasons for bad breath: caries, chronic tonsillitis, gastritis, periodontal disease, gingivitis, and so on.
From traditional medicine, try using the following recipes.

• Rinse your mouth with infusion of calamus rhizomes, alcohol tincture of St. John's wort, diluted with water (20 drops alcohol tincture half a glass of cool boiled water).
• With bad breath, an infusion of leaves or berries of wild strawberries is also used.
  (for 1 part of raw materials take 5 parts of water).
• An infusion of thyme herb (1:3) is also effective. 1 st. Pour a spoonful of chopped celery roots with a glass of vodka, insist in a dark, warm place for 2 weeks, strain.
  Dilute 1 teaspoon of tincture in a glass of warm boiled water and rinse your mouth and throat 2-3 times a day.
• 1 st. pour a spoonful of horseradish gruel with a glass of vodka, leave for 3 days, periodically shaking the contents, strain. 1 st. dilute a spoonful of tincture in a glass of warm water and use the resulting solution for rinsing the mouth and throat.
  This tool helps not only with bad breath, but also with inflammation of the gums.
• Wormwood is considered a popular remedy for eliminating bad breath in many countries.
  Prepare strong wormwood tea: 1 tbsp. brew a spoonful of raw materials with a glass of boiling water and insist for 40 minutes.
  Rinse your mouth with wormwood tea after eating.
• Slowly chew and hold nutmeg in your mouth, it will make your breath fresh and pleasant (nutmeg eliminates even the smell of onions and garlic). In addition, this nut strengthens the heart, has a beneficial effect on the stomach and liver, and improves digestion. The dose of nutmeg at the reception is -1 -1.5 g.
• Rinse your mouth with fresh sorrel leaf juice diluted 1:2 with water.
  To prepare juice, wash fresh sorrel leaves, crush them in a porcelain mortar with a wooden pestle, tie them in gauze and squeeze.
  Using a juicer is not recommended, since sorrel, due to its high acidity, causes damage to the metal and quickly oxidizes itself.
• Dissolve 0.5 teaspoon table salt in glass warm water, draw the resulting solution into a small rubber bulb and inject the composition into the nostril. At the same time, tilt your head back, and hold the pear at a right angle to your face.
  Do the same with the other nostril. Spit out any liquid that enters your mouth.
  At first, there will be an unpleasant feeling, but then you will endure the procedure easier and easier.
  This method, in addition to eliminating bad breath, also restores the acid-base balance.
• Add a few drops of lemon juice to the mint infusion and rinse your mouth after brushing your teeth. This infusion also strengthens the gums.

With bad breath

Chew fresh parsley leaves and root, fennel seeds.
Roasted nuts neutralize the smell of onions and garlic well.
Rinse your mouth with infusion dried fruits apricot or an infusion of a mixture of spices (cinnamon, cardamom, bay leaf).

Recipe for improved digestion and fresh breath.

If you have bad breath due to digestive problems, then this recipe can help get rid of it. Grate the zest of 3-4 lemons, add 2 tbsp. l. honey and 1/2 cup mint infusion. Take 1 tsp. 2 times a day after meals.
Also, to eliminate bad breath, try temporarily replacing toothpaste with powdered milk. If you sometimes brush your teeth with powdered milk, then not only the smell from the mouth disappears, but also the formation of tartar. Teeth become whiter and gum bleeding decreases.

Fresh Breath Tooth Elixir

Dissolve in 1 tbsp. warm water, 2 drops of peppermint and lemon. Rinse your mouth with the solution 2 times a day, morning and evening, after brushing your teeth.

Almost every adult faces the problem of bad breath (halitosis) sooner or later. People experiencing such problems begin to feel some discomfort in communication, which, in turn, leads to isolation, reduced self-esteem, loss of self-confidence and, as a result, loneliness.

All this can provoke the emergence of neuropsychiatric diseases that develop on the basis of a lack of communication.

Causes of bad breath in adults. Types of halitosis

Sometimes the person himself does not notice or does not want to notice the unpleasant odor coming from the oral cavity. However, it can be a symptom of quite serious illnesses, therefore, do not ignore the problem and contact the clinic as soon as possible to find out the cause and make the correct diagnosis.

Types of halitosis

There are two types of halitosis:

• Physiological. The appearance of bad breath is due to errors in the diet or non-compliance with oral hygiene. This type of halitosis can occur with smoking, fasting, overuse alcohol and medicines.
• Pathological. called dental diseases(oral halitosis) or pathologies of internal organs (extrooral).

In addition, in the scientific world there are such concepts as pseudohalitosis and halitophobia. Both of these states are psychological character.

pseudohalitosis is one of the obsessive conditions in which the patient constantly thinks that he has bad breath. In such cases, the help of a psychotherapist is required.

Too suspicious people often suffer halitophobia- constant fear of the appearance of a bad smell after an illness.

So, before taking any measures to eliminate bad breath, you should find out the reason his occurrence. Perhaps the matter is in the wrong and unbalanced diet, or everything is explained bad condition ecology? And if halitosis is caused by pathological changes in the internal organs or is it contagious?

Physiological type

There are many reasons that cause bad breath, the main ones are the following.

General condition of the oral cavity. In an adult, however, as in a child, the smell may appear due to insufficient care of the oral cavity. In this case, the teeth and gums should be checked.

Dryness in the mouth. In medical circles, this phenomenon is called xerostomia. It occurs, as a rule, as a result of long conversations. Often, xerostomia affects people whose profession is associated with constant communication (for example, TV presenters, announcers, etc.).

Wrong diet. Experts have identified a number of products, the use of which can provoke halitosis. Basically, it is fatty foods that have a negative effect on the walls of the stomach and esophagus.

Bad habits. Bad breath can be caused by habits such as smoking and alcohol. But if everything is more or less clear with the second option (one who has encountered the problem of a hangover syndrome understands well what is at stake), then with smoking the situation is somewhat different. This is explained by the fact that a smoker uses cigarettes almost daily, and tobacco smoke has a negative effect on the oral mucosa. The result of such exposure is the drying of the mouth and the creation of favorable conditions for the emergence and development of various kinds of harmful microorganisms, which will be very problematic to get rid of in the future.

Poor oral hygiene. Bad breath can result from plaque on the tongue, gums, inside cheeks and even teeth. The appearance of such a plaque is usually due to non-compliance with the rules of oral hygiene, as a result of which there is an active development of bacteria that feed on the remnants of food preserved in the mouth.

Microbes. In some cases, bad breath appears in the morning, seemingly for no apparent reason. In fact, it's all about microbes that actively grow and multiply almost constantly, especially at night. During sleep, the amount of saliva in a person's mouth decreases, which creates favorable conditions for the growth and development of harmful bacteria. Get rid of bad breath in a simple way: just brush your teeth and to maintain the effect, additionally use a mouthwash.

Pathological type

This form of halitosis is characterized by the appearance of the following odors from the oral cavity:

• acetone;
• ammonia;
• feces;
• putrefactive;
• sour;
• rotten eggs.

The smell of rot from the mouth. Most often, the cause of the appearance of such a smell is pathological changes in the organs of the respiratory system and diseases of a dental nature. In addition, it may appear due to the accumulation of food debris under the prosthesis or in a diseased tooth. Under the action of harmful microorganisms, amino acids are decomposed, which determines the nature of this form of halitosis.

The main causes of a putrid odor from the oral cavity can be the following:

In addition, the smell of rot can be caused by the following factors:

• disruption of organs digestive tract, while there is a particularly pronounced smell;
• alcohol abuse and smoking;
• poor oral hygiene resulting in tartar or plaque.

smell of ammonia. The causes of its appearance are kidney disease and kidney failure, in which the level of urea in the blood is greatly exceeded. The body, not being able to fully eliminate this substance in a natural way, begins to look for an alternative way out, that is, through skin covering and mucous membranes. This explains the appearance of ammonia smell.

The smell of feces from the mouth. There can be several reasons for its occurrence: intestinal obstruction, poor absorption of food, decreased peristalsis and dysbacteriosis.

People who suffer from bulimia or anorexia may also experience a fecal odor in their mouths. It is also associated with violation digestive process: food is poorly digested (or not digested at all), its decay and fermentation begins.

In some cases, a similar aroma can be caused by infectious lesions of the respiratory system.

The smell of acid. Enhanced Level acidity gastric juice caused by diseases such as pancreatitis, stomach or duodenal ulcer, esophageal diverticulitis or gastritis provokes the appearance of a sour smell from the oral cavity. The smell of acid may be accompanied by nausea or heartburn.

The smell of rotten eggs. The main reason for the appearance of such a smell is also a violation of the stomach, associated with a decrease in acidity and gastritis. In this case, a person may experience a feeling of discomfort in the stomach, belching appears. Another reason for the smell of rotten eggs from the mouth is food poisoning.

The smell of acetone from the mouth. most harmless reason the appearance of the smell of acetone is an ordinary indigestion, but there are several quite serious diseases accompanied by this form of halitosis.

The smell of acetone may indicate diseases of the pancreas (pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus), as well as indicate the development of other pathologies, which will be discussed later.

• Diseases and liver. The course of some liver diseases is accompanied by the appearance of acetone in the urine and blood of a person. In case of violation of the work of the body, the task of which is precisely to cleanse the body of all kinds of unnecessary substances, including toxic ones, leads to the accumulation of acetone and, as a result, the appearance of a smell from the oral cavity.
• Diabetes. High blood sugar, which is characteristic of an advanced form of diabetes, coupled with the release of a large amount of acetone (ketone bodies) into the human blood, makes the kidneys work in an enhanced mode and remove the toxic substance from the body. The lungs also take an active part in the process, which explains the appearance of acetone odor from the patient's mouth.

When this symptom appears, the patient must be urgently hospitalized in order to conduct a thorough examination and provide immediate medical attention. Otherwise, a diabetic coma is possible.

• kidney disease. The smell of acetone from the mouth can appear with uric acid diathesis, as well as with diseases such as kidney dystrophy, kidney failure, nephrosis. These pathologies cause a violation of protein metabolism and its decay products begin to accumulate in the blood.

Diagnosis of bad breath

Identification of halitosis is carried out in the following ways:

• Organoleptic method (assessment of the intensity of halitosis by a specialist). At the same time, the degree of manifestation of bad breath is assessed on a five-point scale (from 0 to 5). Before the examination, it is recommended to refrain from using odorous cosmetics a day before the procedure, eating spicy food - approximately 48 hours before visiting a doctor. In addition, 12 hours before the start of the assessment, it is advisable to stop using breath fresheners and mouth rinses, brushing your teeth, smoking, eating and drinking.
• Analysis of the history of the disease: when exactly does bad breath appear, how long ago did it start, are there chronic diseases of the oral cavity, gums, liver, gastrointestinal tract, paranasal sinuses and the nose itself, is there a connection with food intake, etc.
• Pharyngoscopy (examination of the larynx).
• Sulfide monitoring - the use of a special apparatus (halimeter) to measure the degree of sulfur concentration in the air exhaled by the patient.
• Examination of the nose and nasopharynx using an endoscope.
• Examination of the oral cavity by a dentist (to detect white or yellowish plaque on the tongue and teeth of the patient).
• Laryngoscopy.
• Consultation with a gastroenterologist and pulmonologist (in order to exclude diseases of the lungs and bronchi).
• Biochemical blood test (examines the level of sugar, liver and kidney enzymes).

Prevention of unpleasant odor

In order to avoid the appearance of halitosis and subsequent problems associated with it, you should follow a few simple rules:

• First of all, you must carefully adhere to the rules of oral hygiene and visit the dentist regularly for preventive examinations.
• Nutrition should be balanced, rich in vitamins and minerals.
• In addition to daily brushing of teeth, it is necessary to use special rinses for the oral cavity, which contribute to the destruction of harmful microorganisms and freshen breath. Do not abuse alcohol rinses, as they greatly dry the mucosa.
• Timely prevention and treatment of pathologies of internal organs, as well as infectious diseases.
• Regular use fresh vegetables and fruits.
• With each brushing of the teeth, do not forget about the tongue and be sure to clean it from the plaque that has appeared.
• Refusal to use alcohol, cigarettes, and healthy lifestyle life.
• Use of special moisturizers for dry mouth.

The appearance of a bad smell from the oral cavity should not be ignored and try to get rid of it with the help of hygiene products. This may only temporarily muffle the problem, but it will not completely destroy it. Sometimes even a simple consultation with a specialist gives a good result, and timely treatment will save you from such troubles for a long time.