Oral Care cannot be restricted only up to brushing teeth, but it is much beyond that. Smiling face, Healthy mouth, proper dental care & hygiene go hand in hand. Keep in mind that, bad breath is not solely related to cleaning of teeth but primarily it is result of lack of proper Oral care. Bad breath impacts not only your personal health but also social life. It can damage your social appearance as well as your confidence & relationships. Who would prefer to stay along with bad breath?

This blog is also to help you understand the reasons for bad breath & then few easy effective tips to get rid of it. Healthy Mouth is ultimately Happy You & that is why Oral health matters a lot.

Why Oral Care or Oral Health is important?

Good oral hygiene isn’t just about fresh breath, white teeth & clean tongue. It’s crucial for overall health too. Though digestion of food intake if left to stomach, your mouth serves as an entry point for your food. Your oral health condition impacts the food that you are passing on to your stomach through mouth. So, primarily, poor oral health impact goes beyond bad breath & cavity development. Time to time, researchers have found connection between oral health & overall health. They have also established the facts that poor oral health can lead to severe negative impact on eyes, heart, diabetes, respiratory systems & like. Mainly, it is in the form of infections that move through bacteria, which are left unnoticed in mouth.

Needless to mention it’s impact on gum disease and tooth decay, causing pain, discomfort, and eventual tooth loss. It must be noted that, in most of the cases, tooth treatment runs for a long time & is costly too. Having understood this, let us try to understand some reasons of bad breath & ways to handle it. As you avoid these wrong practices, your quotient of Oral Care will be high.

Few common reasons of Poor Oral Health / Bad Breath:

There is a common belief that eating onion, garlic and similar foods causes bad breath. But you will be surprised to read that the germs in the mouth and especially on the tongue are the main cause of bad breath. Few dentists are of the opinion that this problem is caused by the sulfur compounds emitted by the germs in the mouth. Similarly, oral hygiene, tobacco consumption, smoking, eating habits and other health complaints are also causes for this problem.

1. Food Particles:

Bad breath is caused by germs caused by food particles stuck on the teeth and in the crevices of the teeth as it is related to what type of food we are eating. These particles range from large to small, solid to sticky, and can include carbohydrates, proteins, and sugars. First thing is, many food items leave behind that can cling to teeth. Many food items create residues that easily lodge in dental gaps. Sticky or chewy foods like dried fruits or toffees, chocolates etc. leave behind residues that adhere to teeth. Moreover, tough or fibrous items like meat can wedge between teeth.

This is applicable not only about solid items but also liquid as it has coloring or sugar content. Tea, coffee, cold drinks, artificially made fruit juices, wine etc. are classic examples of such liquid items. Sugar content of these items plays vital role in forming residue in / on teeth. Availability & residue of such tiny, small food particles provides a place for harmful bacteria to gather & grow including forming of plaque. So, be careful with liquid intake too.

2. Oral Hygiene:

Improper oral hygiene causes a yellow layer ‘Plaque’ to form on the teeth, gums and tongue. Tooth decay is also a cause of bad breath. In simple words, Plaque is a build-up of bacteria and food particles in the mouth. We must know that if plaque is not effectively removed through brushing and flossing, it can harden into tartar teeth, owing to contact with Saliva. This is the main reason of yellow or discolored appearance of teeth. Also, it poses severe risks to dental health.

We must know that Plaque and tartar can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. The bacteria in plaque produce acids that erode the tooth enamel, causing cavities. It can further lead to inflammation and gum disease, eventually causing tooth loss. Development of such plaque and its subsequent bacteria release foul-smelling gases, causing halitosis. This can persist even after brushing, masking or chewing gum, leading to social discomfort. Always think before you eat.

3. Consumption of Tobacco:

Due to the substance ‘tar’ and ‘nicotine’ produced by tobacco consumption, the problem of bad breath occurs due to the adverse impact & decrease in the production of saliva. Mainly, it causes halitosis. Halitosis is an oral health problem where the main symptom is bad smelling breath. Such decrease in saliva levels results in a dry oral environment, promoting bacterial growth. Actually, with reduced saliva, the mouth’s natural cleansing mechanism diminishes, allowing bacteria to thrive and resulting in bad breath.

The consequences of tobacco on oral health go beyond staining teeth and causing bad breath. It significantly heightens the risk of oral cancer, gum disease, and tooth loss. The decrease in saliva production due to tar and nicotine only exacerbates these risks and contributes to the pervasive problem of halitosis / bad breath. Keep in mind that Saliva is an important part of a healthy body.

4. Other Health Related Reasons:

Health issues like Respiratory tract infection, sinusitis, postnasal drip, severe form of asthma, diabetes, stomach as well as liver and kidney related disorders etc can cause bad breath. Respiratory tract infections, such as bronchitis or sinusitis, contribute to bad breath due to the excess mucus and bacteria that accumulate in the throat and nasal passages. Postnasal drip, where mucus moves down the back of the throat, creates an environment for bacterial growth, resulting in an unpleasant odor.

Asthma can lead to dry mouth conditions due to breathing through the mouth, reducing saliva flow and allowing bacteria to thrive, causing halitosis / Bad Breath. Diabetes affect the body’s ability to process sugars, potentially leading to fruity or sweet-smelling breath. Furthermore, stomach issues, liver, and kidney disorders can also cause bad breath. Gastrointestinal disorders, such as acid reflux or stomach ulcers, emit unpleasant odors through the breath due to digestive disturbances. Liver and kidney diseases affect the body’s filtration process, leading to an ammonia-like odor on the breath.

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Easy Effective Tips & Solution for Oral Care:

1. Cleaning of Teeth, Gums & Tongue:

To get rid of bad breath, it is important to brush your teeth twice a day, use mouthwash, and maintain the hygiene of your gums and tongue. Brushing teeth twice a day for at least two minutes with fluoride toothpaste removes food particles, bacteria, and plaque that contribute to bad breath. This is very important to brush for at least 2 minutes. Otherwise, it is as good as doing nothing. Using mouthwash can further enhance oral hygiene. Mouthwash reaches areas of the mouth that brushing and flossing might miss, reducing bacteria and freshening breath. However, it’s essential to choose a mouthwash that targets bacteria and doesn’t merely mask the odor. 🙂

Moreover, maintaining gum health is crucial. Regularly cleaning the gums, either by brushing or using a gentle gum cleaner, ensures that bacteria and food particles are removed, preventing bad breath. We always focus on only teeth & do miss gum cleaning. The tongue, often overlooked, is a common source of bad breath due to bacterial accumulation. Tongue scrapers or simply brushing the tongue’s surface help in keeping it clean and reducing bacterial growth. Try to replace your toothbrush / tongue scrapers at a frequent time frame. Broken / hard toothbrush bristles are not recommended.

Hygiene of toothbrush / toothbrush bristles / Tongue scrapers or tongue cleaner should be given 100% priority. Try to use toothbrush cap. Always avoid keeping your toothbrush holder in Bathroom. Bacteria presence in washroom / bathroom is highest than any other place. Never use another person’s toothbrush, even though family person. If you have gone through any infection-based tooth treatment / root canal treatment, do replace your toothbrush / tongue cleaner once treatment is over. Avoid using too hot or too cold water for brushing / cleaning the mouth.

2. Flossing:

Flossing is a another dental hygiene practice. It involves the use of a thin, flexible strand of material—dental floss—to clean between the teeth and along the gum line. Again, this process removes food particles, plaque, and bacteria that toothbrushes might miss, helping in the prevention of cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. To floss, a piece of dental floss is gently guided between the teeth, wrapping around each tooth in a C-shape. It is then moved up and down against the tooth surface and under the gum line. This motion helps remove plaque and debris that might be trapped in these tight spaces.

Flossing should be done at least once a day, ideally before brushing, to ensure thorough cleaning of areas that a toothbrush cannot reach. There are various types of dental floss available, including waxed and unwaxed, flavored and unflavored, and in different thicknesses, catering to individual preferences and needs. Regular flossing is recommended with brushing and routine dental check-ups.

3. Gargling:

It is necessary to gargle after eating anything. Gargle may not always be necessary, but it helps in reducing the risk of bacterial growth and maintaining fresh breath. Reason is gargling assists in washing away food particles that might be lodged between teeth or in the mouth. Moreover, gargling helps in removing remnants of acidic or sugary foods and beverages that can linger in the mouth. This is especially helpful after consuming items that tend to stick to teeth or leave residue, such as citrus fruits, sugary snacks, or acidic drinks. We must push kids to follow gargling.

It’s important to note that while gargling is beneficial, it’s not a replacement for an oral care routine. Hope you are aware that, gargling is also a good exercise for your entire face.

4. Chewing Sugarless Chewing Gum:

Saliva has a natural cleansing property. It helps to push food particles and residue from the mouth to stomach, reducing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Mainly it prevents dry mouth. Chewing sugarless gum, prompts the production of saliva. Hence sugarless gum is preferred as it does not contribute to tooth decay. It assists in oral care without the risk of promoting cavities as it does not bring in Sugar.

Again, sugarless gum is an adjunct to oral care & it is not a replacement for regular brushing, flossing, and routine dental check-ups. Incorporating it as a part of an overall oral hygiene routine can support better oral health.

5. Include Crunchy and Fibrous Foods:

Crunchy vegetables and fruits, such as celery and carrots, act as natural abrasives. It helps to remove plaque and food particles from the teeth. Chewing of these fibrous foods stimulates saliva production, which aids in rinsing away food debris that can cause tooth decay. Fruits like Apple, Watermelon have a crisp texture and high-water content. It helps in naturally cleansing the mouth and stimulating saliva production. We have already read about importance of Saliva & disadvantages of dry mount. So, before chewing, be choosy.

6. Have A Healthy Diet:

A healthy diet can prevent Vitamin deficiencies & provide essential nutrients. A variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins must be part of your diet. Do expose yourself to sunlight for Vitamin D to reduce gum diseases and tooth decay. For Vitamin C, eat Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruits. Vitamin C deficiency, for instance, weakens the body’s ability to fight off infections. Ensuring a diverse and balanced diet supports oral health and reduces the risk of bad breath.

Natural food items, whole grains, fruits are always essential for whole body & oral health. Try to avoid too much of Tea, coffee, alcohol, smoking. Additionally, fast food items are not friendly for oral wellbeing. Sugar products, sticky products, externally color added products are always better to avoid. Do not get influenced by advertisements. Bitter is better.

Conclusion:

I hope you have realized the importance of Oral care as well as how to deal with it. With discipline in terms of food intake & cleaning of teeth, gums as well as tongue, you can take care of oral health in much better way. Always take advise from dentist or doctor for oral care. This blog is for informative purpose. Pl post your comments, queries in comments box below. Would love to respond you with a value add.
Credits for information: – Dr. Rucha Waze Mokashi, Dental Surgeon & Implantologist Pune, India.

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