Halitosis is caused by sulphur-producing bacteria in the tongue and throat. The major causes include a dry mouth caused by certain foods, smoking, poor oral hygiene and a coated tongue.
Most of the time, bad breath is the result of one of two things – lack of (or poor) oral hygiene and diet (which includes smoking). But there are certain, unique scents that may be indicative of a greater health concern.
Let them know gently.
Some ideas for considerate, compassionate conversation starters include: “I noticed something, and I'm not sure if you're aware, but your breath smells a bit off."
Bad breath is usually related to poor dental hygiene. Not brushing and flossing regularly causes sulfur compounds to be released by bacteria in the mouth. Some disorders will produce distinct breath odors.
Without correct and regular brushing and flossing, and routine dental exams, food remains in the mouth. This is a breeding ground for bacteria. Food that collects on the teeth, gums, and tongue may rot. This causes an unpleasant odor and taste in the mouth.
If you've eaten something with a potent odor such as garlic or fish, and you can still taste it, chances are others can smell it on your breath too. Or if you have a condition such as dry mouth, or if you're dehydrated, you may be able to taste your breath.
Don't Be Too Harsh
This conversation can be embarrassing for both of you, so don't point it out in public. Some people can get defensive if they are told their breath smells bad, so be as gentle as possible when bringing up the subject.
Is Bad Breath Contagious? You can't catch halitosis from another person but you can contract the bad bacteria that cause it from someone else. The bad bacteria can be passed by kissing, sharing utensils, sharing toothbrushes, and can even be transmitted to and from your pets!
Bad breath is a natural fear of many in the dating scene; a 2013 survey for National Fresh Breath Day found that 67 percent of British men and women deemed bad breath to be the ultimate first date turnoff.
It's possible to confront a friend or partner about their problem without being offensive. He or she may be slightly embarrassed at first, but he or she will be very thankful in the long run. Bad breath may be an embarrassing problem, but there's no reason not to break the news gently and respectfully.
Cavities and gum disease: Cavities in your teeth can provide a good hiding place for odor-causing bacteria. Because the bacteria are in hard-to-reach spots, removing them when brushing your teeth is challenging. These odor-causing bacteria can also hide in deep gum pockets due to gum disease.
Many other things can cause bad breath, such as missing meals, being dehydrated, or eating foods with a strong odor, such as garlic. Other causes include throat or mouth infections (such as strep throat), dental problems (such as cavities), and gum disease.
Kissing someone who doesn't keep up with their oral hygiene can mean more than a whiff of bad breath. When you kiss, you're swapping saliva. Bacteria that feed off sugar and carbs build a nice little home in your mouth, especially if you nosh on a lot of sugary foods.
Because men tend to have more hair on their bodies, including the armpits. There may be more bacteria in these hair follicles. When the body sweats, the bacteria that is present in those areas will feed off the sweat released from the body causing it to smell worse than other areas of the body.
Of the survey results, 85 per cent said they would be put off from dating someone if that person had bad breath—outranking poor manners, being late and making bad jokes. Furthermore, 80 per cent said they wouldn't go on a second date with someone if that person had bad breath on the first date.
But if you suffer from chronically bad breath, it can even start affecting your relationships. Your spouse may be less quick to give you that morning kiss, clients you encounter at work may seem less than thrilled at your sales pitch, and friends, family, and coworkers may all seem to be mysteriously avoiding you.
Start with a positive — “It's so awesome that you brush your teeth regularly!” Then state the bad news — “Which is why it's a little surprising that your breath has been kind of bad recently!” Then end with another positive — “Meanwhile, nobody in America does a better job of brushing teeth regularly than you do!”
Though more than half the cases of bad breath are caused by bacteria buildup, halitosis can also be a side effect of other, more serious problems. In these cases, bad breath may be a red flag for a disease or chronic illness.
Keep water on your bedside, mints, gums, and maybe an apple to quickly freshen up your breath without leaving the sheets. Make sure you brush, gargle and floss before going to bed. To avoid bad breath, you must also regularly clean your tongue.
Halitosis, bad breath, morning breath, or however you refer to it, is unpleasant and probably not the best way to say, “Good morning,” to your partner. Your dentist will tell you that everyone has some degree of morning breath. The reason, when you are asleep, your mouth begins to dry out.
Most People Who Have Bad Breath Don't Know It
According to this theory, our nose may filter out any bad smells coming from the mouth because we have grown accustomed to our own odors. That's because our oral cavities are connected to our noses through an opening in the back of our mouths.