On average we tend to speak with at least 2-3 people per day, and they will smell your breath if your meetings aren't on Zoom. However, will they tell you if you have bad breath? Probably not.
Today we are going to talk about how to prevent bad breath, also known in medical terms as halitosis.
To understand better why this phenomenon occurs, we are going to list some common causes and some preventative measures you could take to help yourself (and others) understand better.
Main causes of bad breath
Bacteria: produce volatile sulfur compounds (hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, dimethyl sulfide). There are bacteria, especially at the back of our tongue, that can create these compounds and then bad breath. Examining a child's tongue, it's usually pink and wet, that's what it should look like. As we get older, many factors play their role and our tongues could end up looking whiter with a film or coat covering them. That is the bacteria that create bad breath.
Periodontal disease: also known as gum disease, is a chronic infection in the gums and jawbone surrounding the teeth. It is proven to be a health risk and leads to dental problems, teeth loss and other potential systemic issues due to the localized plaque, tartar and loads of hidden bacteria under the gums.
Coffee, alcohol and tobacco will increase the bacteria in our mouth and induce dehydration. A dry mouth leads to bad breath.
A high sugar diet increases the bad bacteria in our mouth, as well as candida overgrowth (yeast syndrome).
GERD (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease): if you have difficulty digesting your food, you have a strange taste in your mouth and you feel constantly burping, you might need to consult a specialist gastroenterologist. GERD causes bad breath too.
Recurrent sinus infections: could also create an overgrowth of bacteria that would eventually lead to bad breath. Sinus infections happen when fluid builds up in the air-filled pockets in the face.
Medications: such as antihistamines, asthma medications, antidepressants, acid blockers and so forth, often create bad breath. It could have a side effect of a dry mouth.