You usually can't smell your own bad breath, but you can smell those around you.

 

Smoking, inadequate oral hygiene and certain foods cause bad breath. General dry mouth also favours bad breath, as saliva controls the oral bacteria. Less saliva is produced while we sleep, which means that oral bacteria multiply quickly. This is why we have unpleasant breath when we get up in the morning. People who take medication such as antihistamines, antidepressants or diuretics also often smell bad from the mouth as the medication reduces the flow of saliva.

Older people often suffer from bad breath because saliva production decreases with age and makes the mouth drier.

Diabetes causes a fruity or alcohol-like odour from the mouth, which is why diabetics who have hypoglycaemia are often suspected of being drunk.

Diseases such as chronic bronchitis, lung diseases, gastritis, hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and kidney failure also cause bad breath.

 

Foods that cause bad breath

 

Alcoholic drinks leave residues in the mouth that affect bad breath; digestion produces a sour odour. Foods containing sulphur can cause bad breath as sulphur compounds enter the bloodstream during the digestion process and are exhaled through the lungs. These foods include onions, garlic, fish and meat.

 

How to treat bad breath

 

Bad breath caused by poor oral hygiene can be easily eliminated by thoroughly cleaning the teeth and treating decaying teeth and gums.

Mouth rinses with potassium permanganate or hydrogen peroxide help with chronic dry mouth. Digestive bad breath requires treatment of the cause in the digestive tract.

 

What you can do yourself against bad breath

 

Avoid raw onions and garlic

wholesome nutrition

Careful oral hygiene

Dental care chewing gum

Rinse mouth with warm salt water to reduce oral bacteria

Adequate fluid intake

Cut down on alcohol, coffee and black tea, drink tart fruit juices instead