Why does it stink. Fetid and putrid odor from the mouth

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, excessive use of alcohol and drugs.
Pathological. It is caused by 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 conditions are psychological in nature.

pseudohalitosis is among obsessive states, 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 an improper and unbalanced diet, or is everything due to the poor state of the environment? 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. Mainly fatty food, which has a negative effect on the walls of the stomach and esophagus.

Bad habits. Bad smell Habits such as smoking and alcohol can cause it to come out of the mouth. But if everything is more or less clear with the second option (those who have encountered the problem of a hangover understand well what is at stake), then with smoking the situation is somewhat different. This is explained by the fact that the smoker uses cigarettes almost daily, and tobacco smoke has Negative influence 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 buildup on the tongue, gums, inside of the 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 that have been 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. You can get rid of bad breath in a simple way: just brush your teeth and use an additional mouth rinse to maintain the effect.

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 reasons for the occurrence putrid smell from the oral cavity may be the following:

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

disruption of the digestive tract, with 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. This is also associated with a violation of the digestive process: food is poorly absorbed (or not digested at all), it begins to rot and ferment.

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. The most harmless cause of the smell of acetone is ordinary indigestion, but there are several fairly 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, characteristic of advanced diabetes, coupled with the release of large amounts of acetone ( ketone bodies) into the human blood causes the kidneys to 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 carry out thorough examination and providing 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). However, the degree of manifestation bad smell from the mouth is evaluated 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 any chronic diseases 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 consumption of 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, as well as maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
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.

The success of a person in our world is determined not only by the mind and quickness of thinking, purposefulness, charisma and efficiency. Self-confidence, charm, energy play a significant role in this. We are embarrassed by bad breath in the morning or at the dentist. We are worried about bad breath at the time of important negotiations or romantic meetings, distracting from work or not allowing us to express our thoughts at the right time. Halitosis is the medical definition of this problem. Bad breath is for some people already psychological problem and it is not only possible, but necessary to solve it.

Are the reasons always the same?

Sometimes the smell from the mouth is heard by others only during close contact with a person, and he, in turn, greatly exaggerates the scale of the problem.

Bad breath can come on suddenly, appear intermittently, or be a constant companion throughout the day. There are different types of halitosis:

True halitosis (when objectively others notice unpleasant breathing in a person). The reasons for it can be both in the peculiarities of physiology, human metabolism, and act as a symptom of diseases.
Pseudogalitosis (there is a subtle bad breath felt on close contact with a person, to a large extent the patient himself exaggerates the scale of the problem).
Halitophobia (the patient is dominated by fear and the belief that he has bad breath, and the dentist does not find obvious evidence of this).

Depending on whether the patient complains of “morning” breath (lack of freshness in the mouth upon waking up) or “hungry” breath (unpleasant smell on an empty stomach), the doctor may suggest possible reasons his appearance.

The main culprits of physiological halitosis are plaque on the teeth and the back third of the tongue, tartar, food debris in the oral cavity, “odorous” foods that a person ate the day before, microorganisms, tobacco, and alcohol. Saliva normally cleans the surface of the teeth and tongue, constantly reducing the activity of microbes due to its composition.

With poor oral hygiene and the accumulation of plaque, microorganisms (mainly anaerobic bacteria) as a result of active life produce hydrogen sulfide, which gives the exhaled air an unpleasant shade. During sleep, a person is at rest for a long time, the secretion of saliva and its movement in the mouth decreases, bacteria take advantage of this and, as a result, bad breath in the morning. After brushing your teeth and rinsing your mouth, all processes set in motion, the smell disappears.

Pathological halitosis can occur as a result of diseases of the teeth, gums, tonsils (oral), or be a symptom of diseases of other organs and systems (gastrointestinal tract, liver, respiratory organs, etc.).

We are looking for the cause in the oral cavity

The main causes that are in the human oral cavity and are associated with the appearance of bad breath are the following:

carious cavities in the teeth;
accumulation of plaque in pathological gingival pockets, formation of tartar (with periodontitis);
the formation of a gingival "hood" over the erupting wisdom tooth and the ingress of food debris under it;
stomatitis of various etiologies;
diseases of the salivary glands, in which the viscosity of saliva and its cleansing ability are sharply reduced;
tongue diseases;
the presence of orthopedic structures in the oral cavity (crowns, dentures, plates and braces in children);
increased sensitivity and exposure of the necks of the teeth with loss of bone tissue and atrophy of the gums, which makes it difficult to care for the teeth and contributes to the accumulation of plaque.

Temporary effects on the composition and properties of saliva can have both medications taken (antibiotics, hormonal preparations, antihistamines) and stress. Saliva becomes viscous, viscous, it is produced much less, which causes the development of xerostomia (dry mouth).

Halitosis as a symptom of diseases

Bad breath can be a symptom of various diseases. In ancient times, doctors could diagnose an onset disease by assessing breath and smell.

Allocate extraoral causes of the development of halitosis, i.e., not directly related to the oral cavity.

These include:

diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, gastroduodenitis, gastric ulcer, pancreatitis, insufficiency of the gastric sphincter, in which food is thrown back into the esophagus, which is accompanied by belching and heartburn);
diseases of the liver and biliary tract (liver failure, hepatitis,). They are characterized by a "fishy", "fecal" smell from the mouth, the smell of rotten eggs;
chronic infections of the nasopharynx and areas adjacent to the oral cavity (, rhinitis, adenoiditis, tonsillitis, sinusitis);
respiratory infections;
(the smell of ammonia in the exhaled air);
metabolic diseases (diabetes).

How to evaluate breathing?

Many people who have unpleasant repulsive breath are not even aware of the problem. It is good if a close person or friend points to it. But this is not always possible, relatives are afraid to offend a loved one, and colleagues prefer to reduce communication with him to a minimum. But the problem remains.

There are several ways to test yourself:

ask someone close to evaluate the smell of the mouth;
lick the wrist (spoon, napkin), let dry and smell;
clean the gaps between the teeth with odorless dental floss, dry, evaluate the smell;
use a pocket apparatus (halimeter) to measure the concentration of hydrogen sulfide in exhaled air. Evaluation is made on a scale from 0 to 4 points;
if you want to know exactly the degree of bad breath, you can be examined on special ultra-sensitive equipment by a specialist.

How to treat bad breath?

To get rid of bad breath, first of all, due attention should be paid to oral hygiene.

First of all, take care of oral hygiene. Regularly brush your teeth according to all the rules, using not only a brush and paste, but additional tools: dental floss, scraper for cleansing the tongue, rinses that reduce the concentration of bacteria in saliva. Many people do not suspect that the main accumulation of plaque occurs at the root of the tongue, on the back third of its back.

You need to clean your tongue every day. Can be used for this toothbrush, on the reverse side heads which have a rubber studded pad specifically for this purpose. But for some people, such cleaning causes a strong vomiting reflex. Specialists have developed special scrapers for cleaning the tongue for such patients. As an option to reduce vomiting at the time of cleansing - use toothpaste with a strong mint flavor or hold your breath while the scraper comes into contact with the root of the tongue.

Even the familiar rinsing of the mouth with water after eating has a significant effect, removing food debris from the folds and preventing microbes from converting them into acids and hydrogen sulfide.

Rinses and toothpastes

For people suffering from halitosis, it is recommended to use products containing antiseptics such as Triclosan, Chlorhexidine, and baking soda. It has been proven that a 0.12-0.2% solution of Chlorhexidine reduces the number of anaerobic bacteria by 81-95% for 1.5-3 hours. A good effect is the use of rinses and toothpastes with Triclosan (0.03-0.05%). Antihalitic effect is exerted by toothpastes and gels, which contain 3-10% carbamide peroxide. But alcohol-containing rinses with constant use cause dryness of the mucous membranes in the mouth and a decrease in saliva.

Help from nature

To combat bad breath, even our ancestors actively used preparations of plant and animal origin - propolis, alfalfa, chamomile, echinacea, myrtle, fresh dill infusion, decoction of tansy with wormwood and yarrow (brewed for 15 minutes). A good, but short-term deodorizing effect is given by freshly brewed strong tea. Essential oils (essential) reduce bad breath for 90-120 minutes (mint, tea tree, clove, sage, grapefruit seed extract). The use of chewing gums in this case gives an even shorter result, masking the smell itself, but not eliminating the cause of its appearance.

Removal of stones and plaque

On their own, a person can clean soft plaque, and more dense formations can be removed only by a doctor using special tools. This is done mechanically or using ultrasound. At the time of cleaning above and subgingival stones are simultaneously washed pathological pockets formed along the roots of the teeth during periodontitis.

Treatment of common diseases

If the smell from the mouth is a symptom of any chronic disease of the internal organs or systems, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive treatment. The dentist fixes everything causal factors in the oral cavity (plaque, stones, chronic inflammation gums), selects hygiene products and items, and the treatment of the underlying disease is carried out by the therapist together with other specialists.

The problem of bad breath is a common phenomenon familiar to many. But more often we pay attention to another person and do not suspect the presence of bad breath in ourselves. Do the smell tests yourself, it's not hard at all. It is possible that an attentive attitude to your health will return to you a hundredfold. Halitosis that suddenly appeared in a person may be the first symptom serious illnesses and a person who notices it in time significantly increases the chances of early detection of the problem. Hence, its timely decision. Love yourself and take care of your health!

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 part your language. Take a spoon, turn it over, and use it to scrape 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 this smell is to stop smoking (although with perfect oral hygiene, this smell can be somewhat reduced). 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 are more likely to have 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 - may be side effect from taking certain medications. Xerostomia can be caused by antihistamines (allergy and cold medicines), antidepressants, medicines that regulate blood pressure, diuretics, tranquilizers, narcotic substances. 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 old - that is, the older the person, the more likely it is that problems with fresh breath are 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 cavities in the teeth can accumulate a large amount of bacteria and food debris, which also cause bad breath. If you have such diseases, during the examination, your dentist will definitely identify them and suggest effective methods 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 are 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 with a thickness of only one or two tenths of a millimeter (that is, about a banknote thick) no longer contains oxygen at all - that is best place not found for bacteria. 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 will find proteins - their favorite food - in anything, even the cheeseburger you ate. In addition, in our mouths there will always be for them "natural" protein food- 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 human language 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 brushing between the 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 usually 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.
- Let loose 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, the smallest food particles 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. The main drawback of the method is 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 conduct necessary procedures on cleaning 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 oral care routine. Very often, the use of this method alone - without additional measures- Helps eliminate bad odors. 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, is in contact only with 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, if used along with regular and efficient cleaning tongue, 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 forms it, play a critical role in neutralizing 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 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 soft tissues 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. Possessing 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?

Bad breath bacteria 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 they do on your natural teeth, on your tongue and gums, your doctor will advise you to clean your dentures with a regular dental or special brush, both external and internal. 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 enough 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 simplest way to stimulate the secretion of saliva - something to chew. When chewing - anything - your body thinks that you are eating, and therefore it gives a signal to increase the production of saliva. (Saliva - very important component while digesting 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 (caries) Pathology of the respiratory system (any infectious and inflammatory diseases, tumors)
Trimethylaminuria and lactase deficiency

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. You may need a whole range of drugs, including antibiotics, which, as you know, cannot be used 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, or halitosis, as it is called in medical terms, can cause a lot of problems in Everyday 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 bad breath 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:

All pharmaceutical products are aimed at fast elimination symptoms of diseases that are manifested by an unpleasant odor. They can also be used for prophylaxis in children from 14 years of age and adults, for example, after dental treatment.

To speed up the process of suppressing the pathological odor, you can use natural remedies.

They can remove bad breath, as the main pathology or a consequence of a disease of internal organs, only if all causes of bad breath are treated:

If you need to learn how to eliminate the smell quickly, then simple products will help here: coffee beans, green tea, clove buds, as well as basil leaves, a simple apple or orange.

Slices of melon or watermelon, celery, parsley and all greens do a good job with the unpleasant smell. Honey with cinnamon in the amount of 1 tbsp. l. - excellent tool from bad breath.

If you smell feces or other unpleasant odor from your breath, the first thing to do is to make an appointment with your dentist and therapist.

If there are no problems with the teeth, then the pathology may develop due to the stomach or liver.. Therefore, the gastroenterologist will become the number 3 doctor to visit.

Healthy people are often concerned about several questions regarding bad breath: how to get rid of the smell of alcohol from the mouth, eliminate garlic or onion odor quickly.

After all, everyone wants to come to work fresh, and not scare people away with a stench. And stormy nights and delicious dishes with garlic are not always welcome.

In the fight against the smell of fume, such fast acting remedies, like chewing coffee and cloves, as well as the use of "vigorous" toothpaste with a pronounced aroma of honey or menthol. The procedure should be completed with the use of mouthwash.

Pharmaceutical preparations - "Glycine", "Limontar" and "Biotredin" - will help get rid of an unpleasant smell in the morning. Or they can be replaced activated carbon, increasing the dose by about 2.5 times.

Special preparations such as "Antipohmelin" and "Antipolizey" are made from plant extracts that quickly beat off an unpleasant odor. However, in return they can create an even stranger flavor.

But these pills do a good job of eliminating the rest of the symptoms of a hangover by acting on the stomach and eliminating toxins from it.

What else can help:

eating fatty foods, bread, butter– they block particles of recycled alcohol;
bay leaf, nutmeg and cinnamon will help remove the aroma, after which you need to use chewing gum to remove spice particles.

A little breathing exercise also helps. Once you have used one of the recommended methods, breathe for 5-7 minutes, inhaling and exhaling deeply.

After a stormy night, such gymnastics can provoke dizziness. In this case, charging must be stopped.

Vegetables - onions and garlic - are similar in their properties to literally “dig into” small particles into all the porous structures of the human body. As a result, a specific smell remains.

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 during intense physical exertion: 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),
carrying out 2 times a year professional cleaning of the 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, the next specialist should be ENT doctor. The cause of an unpleasant odor 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 procedures. Also chronic rhinitis and sinusitis is often accompanied by the formation of thick, fetid mucus, which, falling 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, duodenum, 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.
A sweet smell of ripe apples or the smell of acetone may be a sign of decompensation. diabetes; urgent help is required.
If the smell from the mouth resembles the smell of urine, emergency medical attention is also required, since 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).
A good effect is given by daily rinsing of the oral cavity 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, cloves).

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.

Do you have bad breath?

Is it possible to independently determine how your breath smells?

Now try to figure out what the back of your tongue smells like. Take a spoon, turn it over, and use it to scrape 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?

Does smoking contribute to bad breath?

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?

Saliva is a special form of moisturizing mouth fluid, 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?

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

Can a respiratory disease cause bad breath?

What dental diseases can cause bad breath?

Can other untreated diseases cause bad breath?

Can dentures cause bad breath?

What is actually the main cause of bad breath?

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.

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 will find proteins - 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?

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

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), the main way to get rid of them is to clean the mouth 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?

Diagnosis of the causes of bad breath

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.

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 oral care routine. 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 clean the tongue with a toothbrush or a special brush.

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.

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:

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.

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 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?

How to use liquid rinse to achieve the greatest effect?

How to clean dentures

If your dentist has placed dentures in your mouth, they should definitely explain to you how to properly clean them. Because 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).

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.

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 realize that this treatment will be different depending on your personal cause of smell. You may need a whole range of drugs, including antibiotics, which, as you know, cannot be used 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 an actual 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 of metabolic processes or a negligent attitude to 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 treatment process this phenomenon depends on the reasons for it.
Very often, popular hygiene products (mouth rinses, special toothpastes or breath fresheners) are not enough to combat unpleasant odors, in such a situation it is important to eliminate the cause of the fetid odor.

The problem of bad breath was considered by ancient philosophers, who stated that nothing spoils a person as much as an “untidy mouth”. In our time in various countries from this disease affects from 30 to 65% of the population. It should be noted that residents of highly developed countries, whose citizens very often lead healthy lifestyle life.

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 organ diseases. digestive systems s. Disorders in the work of the 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 question close person and ask for a frank answer, but not everyone is able to take such a 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 after hygiene procedures at least three hours have passed. 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 full recovery. Where the situation is more complicated develops in patients with chronic respiratory diseases. Chronical 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, this problem is observed in patients chronic gastritis, a variety of 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 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 moderate use alcohol does not cause severe harm, abuse contributes to the development of inflammatory processes in the stomach, liver problems and damage to the mucous membrane 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.
During the development of cancer, strong highlight pus. 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 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 the quality of hygiene care is improved.

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 wide variety of factors significantly increases the likelihood of its occurrence. Poor hygienic condition of the oral cavity, combined with other, less significant factors, significantly exacerbates 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 of the respiratory system, which entails 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 of this disorder. As mentioned above, in most cases this phenomenon is associated with oral 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.
Dentist will help remove pathogenic microorganisms in the most hard-to-reach places Ah, after which the inflammation will pass. 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 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 useful 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 best way treatment, as well as to identify a variety of dangerous diseases, 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 poor dental hygiene. In women, halitosis is often associated with endocrinological problems. People with high content blood sugar complain of halitosis often. AND special treatment prescribed by their 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 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 useful for the respiratory and digestive systems, it can be used to 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

Recommended to reduce bad breath medicinal plants possessing bactericidal, antiseptic and deodorizing properties. Good healing effect have the following infusions, decoctions.
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.
Grass of wild strawberry, blueberry 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 of alcohol tincture in 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 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.
popular remedy To eliminate bad breath in many countries, wormwood is considered.
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 fresh juice from sorrel leaves, diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 2.
Wash to make juice fresh leaves sorrel, crush them in a porcelain mortar with a wooden pestle, tie in gauze and wring out.
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 a glass of 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 to the mint infusion lemon juice 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 an infusion of dried apricot fruits 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.

Bad breath is a problem that is familiar to most of the population. To effectively deal with this phenomenon, you need to determine what caused it. It is not always poor hygiene or an eaten product with a characteristic taste and aroma. A quarter of all sufferers have problems with the digestive system, diseases kidney or liver.

In contact with

How to determine if there is a problem

Most often news about bad breath we learn from the people around us, relatives, friends, relatives.

If a person is not sure about the freshness of his breath, then you can ask family members about it. They will talk about the character, it can be a sour smell from the mouth in an adult, rotten or rotten.

If you are shy of adults - ask your children, they will not deceive you.

You can detect the presence of "aroma" without the participation of outsiders.

There is several ways:

Using a spoon, collect plaque on the back of the tongue and smell it after a minute. You can put a cotton pad instead of a spoon.
Dental equipment that gives accurate readings of hydrogen sulfide in the breath.
Smell the toothpick a couple of minutes after use.
Lick your wrist, and after drying, smell the skin.

If a problem is discovered and simple hygiene does not help, then you need to go to the doctor, find out the cause, start treating the problem. The closest thing to your breath, which is felt by others, is the aroma with back of the tongue.

Causes

Chronic bad breath will not go away without treatment and care. You should not believe advertising and try to interrupt it with the aroma of chewing gum or buy an expensive spray.

The reasons can be very different:

soft and hard plaque is one of the most common causes;
inflammation of the gums;
caries in advanced form;
stomach ulcer, duodenal ulcer, hyperacidity;
cystitis, pyelonephritis, renal failure;
pathologies of the respiratory organs, for example, polyps in the nose, adenoids or tonsillitis.

An unpleasant smell from the oral cavity can be intermittent and be a temporary phenomenon, or it can be permanent, it all depends on root cause of the problem.

When identifying the cause, it is important not only the presence of staleness, but also the characteristic.

For example, the smell of ammonia from the mouth in an adult indicates impaired functioning of the kidneys, putrid breath, indicates either problems with the teeth and gums, or the presence of a tumor in the esophagus.

Then the food gets stuck in a separate bag and creates a stale feeling.

Rotten breath indicates problems with the lungs, advanced tuberculosis. Bad breath worse in the morning , since the mucous membrane dries up, and bacteria multiply more intensively. In a healthy person, morning staleness disappears after brushing your teeth.

A sour smell in the mouth in an adult occurs with pathologies such as gastritis and stomach ulcers, which are accompanied by increased acidity. In case of problems with the liver, a “flavor” of rotten eggs can come from a person, bitterness will also be felt in the mouth, and yellow tint. Smells like acetone from the mouth - you need to check the amount of glucose in the blood, this is a sign of diabetes.

All of the above causes are related to diseases of the internal organs and affect the occurrence of permanent bad breath. There are factors, which cause odor in the oral cavity in adults for a short time. These are certain types of food, poor hygiene, as well as alcohol and smoking.

When drinking alcohol, the mucous membranes dry out, which contributes to the growth of bacteria.

Then the problem is corrected with the help of a healthy lifestyle and the rejection of bad habits. Tar and nicotine provoke a characteristic smoker's aroma, which cannot be eliminated without smoking cessation.

bacteria that contribute to the emergence bad breath, eat protein food.

What kind of food is it: the protein that we eat in the form of meat, eggs, fish, and dairy products. With poor-quality dental care, the remnants of such food provoke the mass reproduction of microorganisms.

Important! The less often teeth are brushed, the more microorganisms accumulate on the tongue, between the teeth, on the mucous membrane.

Microorganisms are found in the oral cavity of each person, which can exude a putrid, rotten smell, as well as "aroma" of feces. Whether people around you feel it depends on the number of such bacteria.

Diagnostics

Halitosis is the official name of the pathology, regardless of the cause. To diagnose the cause and further treatment you need to see a dentist. He will assess the intensity of halitosis with the help of the apparatus, and also check for the presence of dental reasons. Your dentist will measure the level of plaque on your teeth and tongue.

The specialist conducts an examination, as well as a questioning of the patient. It is necessary to remember when the smell from the mouth appeared, the causes in patients, for what diseases, its intensity, whether there are problems in the gastrointestinal tract or excretory organs. Specialists have devices for measuring the amount of sulfur secretions in the exhalation. General analyzes and examinations of the digestive organs are carried out, examination of the larynx, nasopharynx, the level of renal and liver enzymes is detected. As a result, you may need to consult not only a dentist, but also a gastroenterologist, ENT, and urologist.

Important! Before passing the diagnostics, it is forbidden to use sprays, cosmetics for breathing.

Two days before the examination, you must stop taking spicy food, do not use rinses and breath fresheners for 12 hours.

The whole diagnostic process is reduced to identifying the cause of this phenomenon. This directly affects the treatment.

In diseases of a chronic nature, bad breath may indicate an exacerbation. In that case, you should adjust treatment.

Often a person focuses too much on bad breath. There is halitophobia, which in adults is characterized by the fear of staleness. The disease causes panic and provokes a person to constantly use refreshing products. In this case, the diagnosis does not reveal the causes of the pathology; in too advanced cases, treatment by a psychologist is necessary.

Treatment

Halitosis should be treated by a doctor who specializes in the symptoms of bad breath. The dentist will remove periodontitis, tell you how to use dental floss, teach you how to care for dentures, which can be another factor in the problem. The dentist will remove plaque from the tongue, gums and recommend an antibacterial paste to destroy odors from the mouth in adults.

How to treat bad breath from a person, if it is a symptom of more complex diseases, a narrow-profile specialist will tell you. For example, the smell of ammonia from the mouth in an adult encourages to see a urologist and check the kidneys. As soon as the work of the internal organs is normalized, the aroma of the oral cavity will also return to normal.

Folk methods

You can try to solve the problem using folk methods:

Chew grains of natural coffee, eat ½ tablespoon of soluble in granules.
Always use natural rinses.
Rinse the mouth daily with decoctions of chamomile, oak, dill and propolis.
Great help for a couple of hours. essential oils clove, tea tree and sage.

TO unconventional methods struggle also applies to the use of refreshing chewing gum. It is recommended to use them no more than 15 minutes. In the presence of complex pathologies it will have no effect.

Important! If the main cause of the disease is not eliminated, then folk and cosmetic methods will give a temporary effect, and the problem will periodically return.

Prevention

Preventive measures to prevent bad breath in case of illness or in everyday life include, first of all, hygiene and dental care.

To prevent the growth of bacteria that cause putrid breath, be sure to floss, brush your teeth regularly, and get rid of plaque on the tongue.

Be sure to visit the dentist for prevention. It is necessary to brush your teeth for at least 3 minutes, be sure to use a floss and carry out the cleaning procedure at least 2 times a day.

After every meal, especially protein, you need to rinse and clean your mouth.

It is better to give up bad habits, balance your diet so that you have enough vitamins and minerals. Use mouthwash regularly. Consult your dentist on how to moisturize the mucosa if dryness occurs.

If you have chronic gastrointestinal diseases, respiratory organs, kidneys and liver, it is important to monitor normal state health and avoid exacerbations. Sour breath in an adult may indicate hyperacidity. At the first manifestations of an acute form, you need to contact a specialist. There was a smell of ammonia from the mouth in an adult - urgently see a urologist, especially if you have recently become cold and have problems with urination.

It is useful to lead a healthy lifestyle, monitor blood sugar levels so that the aroma of acetone does not appear. Be sure to treat all inflammatory and infectious diseases in time, so as not to trigger pathology.

Video: causes and treatment of bad breath

Output

If a person smells bad, this can mean poor care of the entire oral cavity, and serious pathologies digestion, metabolism and respiratory organs. When the problem is temporary and does not accompany you all the time - just better brush your teeth, as well as your tongue, and use dental floss. In other cases, you will need a visit to the doctor.