Bad breath: How to fight smelly breath in 3 steps

Despite it being an all-too-common occurrence, bad breath is a sensitive topic no one likes to talk about. The question of how to fight bad breath can only be asked by someone who knows they are suffering from it.

So, do you want to know how to get rid of bad breath from your throat and mouth, and discover what helps prevent bad breath in the first place? This article will explore the most common causes of bad breath:

• Poor oral hygiene
• Your diet
• Medication
• Medical conditions from infections to allergies

Once you’re able to pinpoint the cause of bad breath, we will be able to show you the best bad breath treatment options, in addition to tips for how to prevent the return of smelly breath in the future. So, read on to discover facts about bad breath, what to do and how to ensure you can smile and talk without fear of smelly breath.

What causes temporary bad breath?

With many people suffering from bad breath regularly, it’s a very common issue. After meals and first thing in the morning are the most common times to discover that embarrassing smelly breath; but what causes bad breath to begin with?¹

• Bad breath can be caused by insufficient oral hygiene. We are taught from a young age how to care for our teeth and mouth, but improper and irregular toothbrushing can lead to smelly breath.
• Bad breath can be caused by certain foods or stimulants.² While you may think it is the food itself causing the smell, it’s actually the bacteria in the interdental spaces and in the coating of the tongue feasting on your food and producing sulphur.
  
• Bad breath can be caused by the stomach.³ Conditions such as heartburn – also known as acid reflux – could cause undigested food to move its way back up, and thus lead to bad breath.
• Bad breath can be caused by smoking.⁴ Whether you enjoy a cigarette or are more partial to a cigar or even a pipe, smoking can cause smelly breath. In addition, this habit dries out your mouth which can make bad breath worse.

Tip: If you find yourself suffering from heartburn frequently, be sure to seek medical advice from your primary care or family practitioner.

In these cases, the bad breath is temporary and goes away relatively easily, without requiring too much treatment. However, quitting smoking, chewing mint gum, giving your teeth a brush, and cleaning your tongue are quick and easy ways to avoid any embarrassment.

Why can smelly breath persist?

Persistent bad breath is often a sign that something more significant is going on behind the scenes. If you follow all the usual home remedies for bad breath and are still suffering, it could be down to one of the following causes of smelly breath.

Conditions in the oral cavity which cause bad breath:⁵

• Dental illnesses such as caries or root inflammation
• Periodontitis
• Fungal infection and abscesses in the mouth
• Tumours

Non-oral causes for bad breath:

• Intake of certain medications ⁶
• Stress⁷
• Menopause or other hormonal fluctuations⁸
• Ear, nose, and throat illnesses (tonsillitis)³
• Fasting¹
  

Tip: If you are suffering from bad breath and are unsure about what the causes might be or are worried that it could be one of these more serious conditions, don’t hesitate to ask your dentist for advice.

How to get rid of bad breath: A simple 3-step guide

Knowing the different triggers for bad breath is really only half the story. And now, you’re probably wondering how to fix bad breath. In most cases, home remedies for bad breath will do the trick, and this starts with thorough oral hygiene.

Tip: Don’t forget, if the cause of your smelly breath requires specialist treatment, you will not be able to use a bad breath solution from this list. Be sure to consult your dentist and doctor to enlist them to help you fight bad breath.

1. Brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day. Yes, this may seem obvious – but you’d be surprised at how many people think skipping this step won’t matter. With around 3 in 10 Brits⁹ only brushing once a day[disclaimer:12], we believe it’s important to share the simple steps to thorough tooth brushing as a solution for how to get rid of bad breath:
   • Brush at least twice a day, when you wake up and then again before you go to bed.
   • Brush up and down rather than horizontally to avoid damage to your enamel.
   • Brush your teeth for at least two minutes each time you brush.
   • Don’t forget that additional brushing after eating can help you avoid smelly breath too, just don’t forget to leave at least 30 minutes after eating before brushing.
   Tip: For an effective deep cleaning of your teeth, invest in a modern sonic toothbrush like the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean, which can clean your teeth better than a traditional manual toothbrush.
2. Clean your tongue. You know that daily brushing can help, but it's not just your teeth that harbour the bad breath-inducing microbes. Most of the bacteria inside your mouth can be found in the coating of the tongue. To clean these away and avoid smelly breath, you can use a special tongue scraper or a toothbrush and achieve extra fresh breath.
   
3. Clean interdental spaces. While a good toothbrush can do a pretty good job of cleaning around your teeth, it’s important to ensure every part of your mouth is clean to avoid bad breath. You can remove bacteria from interdental spaces with dental floss or an antibacterial mouthwash.

Tip: If you're not a fan of dental floss, don't panic. The Philips Sonicare Power Flosser is a great alternative option and is a quick 1-minute addition to your daily oral care routine. Using water or mouthwash, it cleans your interdental spaces quickly and easily.

4 simple ways to prevent bad breath

Let’s be honest, the easiest bad breath treatment is preventing it in the first place. While daily oral care is the basis for a healthy mouth and an effective bad breath solution, there are a few things you can do to prevent bad breath:

1. Avoid alcohol and cigarettes. These products both dry out the oral mucosa, which can cause bad breath.⁴
2. Rinse your mouth. Using sage or peppermint tea as a form of rinse for your mouth can work as a safe, natural home remedy to fight bad breath.¹⁰
3. Reduce sugary foods and drinks. Remember those bacteria in your mouth? They love a bit of sugar – just like you do! Too many of these treats feed the bacteria and increase the likelihood of smelly breath, in addition to the risk of cavities and other dental issues.¹¹
4. Reduce fatty or spicy foods. These can cause or worsen the symptoms of heartburn and reflux,³ so reducing these foods is a great solution for how to get rid of bad breath from your throat.

Tip: If you’re wondering how to get rid of bad breath from the throat and mouth areas quickly, drink lots of water. This encourages salivation, which in turn flushes out germs and cleans the oral cavity. This will not only help you fight bad breath, but also benefit your overall health.

So, with this guide to bad breath, what to do, causes and symptoms, smelly breath doesn’t ever have to bother you again! Make thorough oral hygiene a regular part of your daily routine and use our guide for how to fix bad breath and combat the most common causes.

Don’t forget if you are suffering from persistent smelly breath, it’s time to go visit your dentist to identify the cause of the problem.