More than 70% of teens say bad breath is immediately resentful. About 85% of teens say the most important thing when they first meet someone else is to keep their breath fresh. Bad breath can be treated and avoided, but we often fail to find ourselves with bad breath!
Bad breath is a very common problem not only for teenagers, but for everyone. So what exactly is bad breath, what causes bad breath, and how to avoid bad breath?
Image source: Stand Cool Helo
There are many causes of bad breath, including:
Bacterial infections
Medication and physical condition
Drip from the back of the nose
Unhygienic (yes, you have to brush your teeth more often)
Most often, bad breath comes from the gums and tongue. Some bacteria in the mouth may release odorous compounds.
Some foods, such as garlic and onions, not only leave a persistent odor in the mouth, but are also absorbed into the bloodstream. Subsequently, the odor is excreted from the lungs. Unless these foods are completely eliminated in the body, mouthwashes, chewing gum, and toothpaste can only mask the odor in the breath.
Dry mouth can also cause bad breath. Dry mouth may occur after taking antihistamines for allergies or colds, or after taking antidepressants. Local infections, diabetes, gastrointestinal discomfort, or liver disease and kidney disease can also cause dry mouth.
During a cold, allergy or sinus infection, the drip from the back of the nose runs down the back of the throat, causing bad breath. Sometimes, tiny food scraps left in the tonsil glands or on the tongue can also cause bad breath.
But most bad breath is caused by poor oral hygiene. Basically, this means you're not brushing or flossing often.
The accumulation of bacteria at the base of the tongue or between teeth is the main culprit of bad breath. Some bacteria prefer to multiply on the tongue, between teeth, or in untreated holes.
Tobacco products can cause bad breath. If you smoke or chew smokeless tobacco, you need to quit smoking.
Believe it or not, the most common method is not to judge your own bad breath.
Many teenagers think that exhaling into their hands and smelling their own breath. But this approach simply doesn't work.
You should do this: lick the back of your hand, wait for the saliva to dry, and then smell it. This smell is your true breath.
Are there other good ways to do this? If you have trusted friends, let them smell your breath. You can also ask your parents how your tone is.
Here are some tips for controlling bad breath.
Develop good oral hygiene practices
Brush and floss after meals, or at least 2 times a day. Brush your teeth for 2 minutes at a time. Proper brushing involves brushing the tongue, cheeks, and palate to remove bacteria and food particles.
Floss is used to remove bacteria, plaque, and food particles stuck between teeth. Many dentists also recommend using a tongue scraper to clean the tongue, a tool that scrapes away the bacteria that accumulate on the tongue. Mouthwash can also temporarily relieve bad breath.
Remember to clean the retainer
If you're wearing a retainer or some kind of movable aligner, wash it thoroughly every time you brush your teeth. Wearing braces takes more time and effort to clean all the corners. More information about keeping braces clean can be found at the orthodontist.
Chew sugar-free gum
Chewing sugar-free gum can help stimulate saliva production. This helps to clean teeth and gums and can prevent dry mouth.
Quit smoking
Ask for help breaking the habit.
Use antibacterial mouthwash
Rinsing your mouth once or twice a day is good for cleaning your teeth and gums and can kill odorous bacteria in your mouth.
If you are sure that your mouth is healthy, your dentist will recommend seeing a general physician to find out what causes bad breath. Your doctor can tell if you're taking medications that cause dry mouth, or if there are other physical conditions that are more likely to trigger dry mouth and bad breath.
Regular visits to the dentist (at least once every six months) and as directed by a physician can reduce or eliminate any possible bad breath problems. After that, you don't have to worry about possible "intimate encounters."
*The content of this article is a popularization of health knowledge and cannot be used as a specific diagnosis and treatment recommendation, nor is it a substitute for face-to-face consultation by a practicing physician, for reference only.
*The copyright of this article belongs to Tencent Medical Code, unauthorized media reprinting is prohibited, and illegal reprinting will be investigated for legal responsibility according to law. Individuals are welcome to forward to the circle of friends.
* Welcome to WeChat search and pay attention to the public account "Tencent Medical Code" to get more health science knowledge.