Bad breath: How to fight smelly breath in 3 steps

Reading time: 4 mins

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.

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. 

Sources:
¹ Bad breath, NHS
² Bad breath (halitosis), NiDirect
³ Heartburn and acid reflux, NHS
⁴ Correlation of oral hygiene practices, smoking and oral health conditions with self-perceived halitosis amongst undergraduate dental students, National Library of Medicine
⁵ Oral malodour (halitosis), National Library of Medicine
⁶ Drug-related Halitosis: A Systematic Review, National Library of Medicine
⁷ Self-reported halitosis and emotional state: impact on oral conditions and treatments, National Library of Medicine
⁸ Effect of Menopause on Saliva and Dental Health, National Library of Medicine
⁹ Three in ten Brits only brush their teeth once a day, YouGov
¹⁰ Use of traditional plants in management of halitosis in a Moroccan population, National Library of Medicine
¹¹ Sugars and Dental Caries: Evidence for Setting a Recommended Threshold for Intake, National Library of Medicine