Many do not know “that they have a problem with a putrid odor in their mouth”: what helps against bad breath

Created: 02/21/2022, 16:50

Proper cleaning is the motto: Regular oral hygiene prevents bad breath.

© Christin Klose/dpa

Foul-smelling breath can have many causes - food is not always to blame.

How do you get rid of bad breath?

Garlic Sauce, Onions, Beer.

There are foods that leave anything but the scent of flowers in your mouth.

But they're not the only cause of bad breath.

Poor tooth brushing routines also contribute to a large extent.

Sometimes illnesses are behind the problem.

.

And of course, diet plays a role: "Often, unpleasant breath is caused by certain foods or poor hygiene," says Christoph Sliwowski, dentist and specialist in implantology from Düsseldorf.

"When bacteria in the mouth break down leftover food, sulfur compounds are formed that smell bad," he explains.

If teeth and tongue are not cleaned regularly and

, the deposits will decompose more intensively.

The result: "The putrid smell of the sulphurous gases increases."

Oral hygiene matters

If you want to combat bad breath effectively, you should rely on good oral hygiene

that goes beyond daily brushing of your teeth.

“This includes, for example, dental floss.

Tongue cleaning is also an important point*,” says dentist Prof. Christoph Benz.

He is President of the German Dental Association.

"By daily cleaning with a tongue scraper, you taste better, your mouth feels fresher and you reduce the bacteria in your mouth," explains Benz.

Because around 60 to 80 percent of the bacteria that cause bad breath can be found on the tongue.

The amount of saliva also plays a major role: "If there is not enough saliva - because you don't drink enough or your mouth is dry from excitement - your breath will smell badly," says Benz.

.

"They're a great way to prevent bad breath," says the expert.

“They clean the teeth and at the same time stimulate the flow of saliva.

It is important that the chewing gum is sugar-free.”

If bad breath persists: consult a doctor

Christoph Sliwowski also advises mouthwashes - but in moderation: "

." However, the rinses should not be used permanently, as they can throw the oral flora out of balance.

Anyone who cleans their teeth and tongue every day and still has the feeling - or the confirmation from those around them - that there is permanent bad breath should go to the dentist.

Sliwowski explains that the true cause of the unpleasant breath can be determined there.

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In rare cases, diseases such as the stomach or esophagus can also lead to this.

Bad breath: What helps after garlic?

However, short-term bad breath often has to do with the food you last ate.

rightly has a bad image in this regard.

contained in the cloves is to blame for the bad breath after eating garlic

.

This is converted to allicin when chewing, cutting and especially when pressing - an "intensely smelling sulfur compound", according to Sliwowski.

This substance sticks to the oral mucosa, it also gets into the blood via digestion and is released through the skin.

"Smoking or consuming alcohol intensify the odors," says the dentist.

In addition to the toothbrush, dental floss should also be part of the daily cleaning routine - this is particularly effective at preventing bad breath.

© Christin Klose/dpa

"

," he advises.

You can fry the garlic as a whole clove and remove it later.

So only the aroma remains.

“Alternatively, some foods also reduce bad breath.

For example, chewing parsley, mint, or sage releases essential oils that counteract garlic-related bad breath.”

You often don’t notice bad breath yourself, but others notice it very well.

© dpa infographic GmbH/dpa

Eating raw apples or lemon juice and green tea could also

.

Important: Drink a lot when eating to remove leftover food and stimulate saliva production.

How to notice bad breath yourself

To combat bad breath, you first have to notice it.

This is often a problem.

"It's the same as with all chronic odors: once you get used to it, you no longer notice it yourself," says Christoph Benz.

"

." Anyone who suspects this should ask those close to them for an open opinion.

"Studies show that honest questions are answered honestly - even with such a taboo subject as bad breath," says Benz.

One way to check the smell in your mouth: "You should put some saliva on the perfume test point on your wrist," advises Benz.

"Then let it dry for a moment and smell it."

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According to the dentist, some people also have an exaggerated sense of self in this regard.

They think they're smelling from their mouth, but they don't.

For example, one should not make the mistake of smelling dental floss after using it, says Benz.

"

."