Okay, so ive been having breath problems for a few years now. No one tells me but i know its really bad, and it makes me come across as anti social and unfriendly, when really i just dont want people to smell it. I have IBS, dont know if thats the problem though. I had a dentist appointment a few days ago and my teeth and gums are healthy etc, i brush twice a day with an electric toothbrush, floss and clean my tongue and after 15 minutes or so it smells. i thought it might be post nasal drip because i am always clearing my throat and it feels like there is mucus there. I also read about tonsil stones but i cant see any there (i checked with a light) but there is a horrible taste coming from the back of my mouth.I have considered going to the GP now because i am sick of this problem and think it could be something not relating to my mouth, sorry for going on guys but i want advice because i am sick of chewing gum and want to approach people, many thanks guys.
The following will cure mild bad breath. Most cases (85–90%), bad breath originates in the mouth, sinus and throat. The intensity of bad breath differs during the day, due to eating certain foods (such as garlic, onions, meat, fish, and cheese), obesity, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Since the mouth is exposed to less oxygen and is inactive during the night, the odour is usually worse upon awakening (“morning breath”). Bad breath may be transient, often disappearing following eating, brushing ones teeth, flossing, or rinsing with specialized mouthwash.
Causes. 1, Tongue, A common location is the tongue. Tongue bacteria produce malodorous compounds and fatty acids, and account for 60 to 70% of all cases of mouth-related bad breath. Methods used against bad breath, such as mints, mouth sprays, mouthwash or gum, only temporarily mask the odours created by the bacteria on the tongue, but cannot cure bad breath because they do not remove the source of the bad breath. Cleaning the tongue – Many companies promote tongue scrapers as a bad breath cure however the bacteria on the tongue can’t be removed with a scraper or brush as they live between the taste buds. Use a tongue scrapper to reduce the food source for bacteria but don’t expect it to cure bad breath. The method of stopping bad breath from the tongue involves rebalancing the bacteria load. Once tongue bacteria are in balance bad breath will cease.
2. Mouth, There are over 600 types of bacteria found in the average mouth. Other parts of the mouth may also contribute to the overall odour, but are not as common as the back of the tongue. These locations are, in order of descending prevalence: inter-dental and sub-gingival niches, faulty dental work, food-impaction areas in between the teeth, abscesses, and unclean dentures. To fix you will need a dentist to examine your teeth and repair any faults found.
3. Gum disease, advanced periodontal disease is a common cause. Waste products from the anaerobic bacteria growing below the gum line. To fix remove the tartar or hard plaque and friable tissue with a soft bristle tooth brush angled on the gum line. This has been shown to improve mouth odour considerably.
4. Nose, in this occurrence, the air exiting the nostrils has a pungent odour that differs from the oral odour. Nasal odour may be due to sinus infections , foreign bodies & commonly Post Nasal Drip. To fix this you will need to flush your sinuses with salt water. It’s very difficult.
5. Tonsils small bits of calcified matter in tonsillar crypts called tonsilloliths that smell extremely foul when released and can cause bad breath. To fix use warm to hot salt water mix to break the stones down or use a water pic to dislodge them.
6. Stomach, very uncommon source of bad breath. The esophagus is a closed and collapsed tube, and continuous flow (as opposed to a simple burp) of gas or putrid substances from the stomach indicates a health problem—such as reflux serious enough to be bringing up stomach contents or a fistula between the stomach and the esophagus.
Management:
1. Floss first then brush your whole mouth including your gums, cheeks, roof of mouth, tongue and take a full 3 minutes brushing your teeth.
2. Eating a healthy breakfast with rough foods helps clean the very back of the tongue.
3. Chewing gum: Since dry-mouth can increase bacterial build-up and cause or worsen bad breath, chewing sugarless gum can help with the production of saliva, and thereby help to reduce bad breath. Chewing may help particularly when the mouth is dry, or when one cannot perform oral hygiene procedures after meals.
4. Gargling right before bedtime with an effective mouthwash.
5. Maintaining proper oral hygiene, including daily tongue cleaning, brushing, flossing, and periodic visits to dentists and hygienists. Flossing is particularly important in removing rotting food debris and bacterial plaque from between the teeth, especially at the gum line.
Eating strawberries and apples will naturally clean your mouth and may help some. Other than that, drink water, don’t smoke (especially pot, that will make your breath literally smell like dog ****) and don’t eat garlic and onions and stuff like that.