Why do people have halitosis? And how to improve?

Why do people have halitosis? And how to improve?


Do you avoid getting closer to people because you are afraid of having a breath? Don’t worry, this is a common situation – and there are solutions.




Do you avoid getting closer to people because you are afraid of having a breath? Don’t worry, this is a common situation – and there are solutions.

Keeping the teeth clean is like an infinite battle against bacteria that are deposited in the spaces between the teeth and gums and the recesses of the tongue.

If they do not eliminate these bacteria, they can multiply and cause serious gingival diseases.

But there are ways to avoid it.

What causes halitosis?

All over the world, one of the main causes of breath errors errors errors errors errors errors errors of errors of errors of errors errors errors of errors of errors of errors of errors error errors errors errors

“Half of the adult population will have a sort of gingival disease,” says Praveen Sharma, professor of reparative dentistry at Birmingham University in the United Kingdom, What happens to documents? from the BBC.

“You can think of the breath of errors as from the oral cavity,” he adds, referring to his mouth.

“This is probably responsible for 90% of the upper.”

The other 10% have other causes.

“The poorly controlled diabetes will have a certain type of breath,” says Sharma.

“Patients with gastrointestinal problems, gastric reflux, will have a harsh breath. Therefore, there are systemic diseases that occur in the oral cavity.”

So what can we do about it?



Removal of waste between the teeth can be important
  • Attack the root of the problem

If the bacteria are not cleaned that are deposited between teeth and gums, this can cause microfer and the consequent bleeding of the gums. This is the gingivitis, the initial phase of the gingival disease, but the good news is that it is reversible.

“The gingivitis is inflammation of the gums. You will realize that they become red, inflated and bleed when they touch their teeth,” explains Sharma.

“This will progress to periodontitis.”

Make sure there is redness, swelling or bleeding in the gums during brushing, but don’t worry a lot, because there is still time to act.

“One of the things that patients do is instinctively avoid brushing the gums that are painful during brushing, because they think: ‘Ah, I’m causing damage, I’m doing something wrong, that’s why it’s bleeding,” says Sharma.

“It is practically the opposite: you should use rubber bleeding as a sign to say: ‘Ah, I have to brush a little better because I didn’t do it before.”



A graph that shows how the gingival disease develops in healthy teeth
  • Brush consciously

Sharma says you have to find time to wash your teeth correctly.

“It is not good to wash or clean your teeth as you do other things,” he says.

Ideally, you are in front of the mirror and focus on the task.

Many people unconsciously touch the left side longer and the left -handed people brush the right side longer, which can cause more inflammation on the side that attract less attention.

Be aware of which hand you are using and try to brush both sides in the same way – and carefully.

  • Mastering the brushing technique

Shamra suggests starting with interdental cleaning.

“In terms of removing the bacterial plaque and the health of the gums, it is better to use interdental brushes,” he says.



Ben interdental brushes remove the bacterial plate, where they cannot obtain ordinary teeth brushes

After using the interdental brushes, it is good to have a system to move the toothbrush in the mouth and not to be in a hurry. Remember that each tooth has three surfaces: the outside, chewing and interior. Everyone must be carefully cleaned. It could be a surprise for many, but the minimum time to wash your teeth is two minutes.

Many people touch their teeth holding the brush at an angle of 90 degrees compared to the tooth and pressing back and forth, but this method can cause gingival retraction.

Keep the brush at an angle of about 45 degrees compared to the tooth and brush gently. Brush that directs the bristles on the gingival line between the lower teeth and upwards, towards the gingival line in the upper teeth. This will help remove bacteria that could hide under the gingival line.

  • Brush your teeth in time

Many of us may have learned that washing our teeth after a meal is the right thing to do. But think about it.

“The ideal is to brush the teeth before breakfast,” says Sharma. “You shouldn’t brush your teeth after eating something acid: this will have a harmful effect on the mineral substance, the enamel and the dentine of the tooth.”

The acidity of the food causes the protective nail polish on the surface of the teeth and the dentine at the bottom, then brush the teeth immediately after a meal can damage the enamel.

“If you prefer to wash your teeth after breakfast, you should wait a little between breakfast and brushing of the teeth,” Sharma recommends.

You should rinse your mouth and wait a little.

Also, while the ideal is to wash your teeth for two minutes twice a day, some people may think that it is sufficient to brush correctly once a day.

When sleeping, the flow of saliva decreases, allowing bacteria to cause more damage to the teeth at night. Therefore, if you intend to clean your teeth once a day, the best time is at night.

  • Choose the right tools

Use a toothbrush with medium rigidity bristles.

Toothpastes must not be expensive.

“Surprisingly, as long as it has fluoride, I’m happy,” says Sharma.

The mineral strengthens the nail polish of the teeth and makes it more resistant to the decay of the teeth.

After brushing, spit, but do not rinse to allow toothpaste and fluorine to stay in the mouth and help prevent caries.

It is also worth using oral rinse if the first signs of gingival disease are presented as it helps to reduce the bacterial plate and the accumulation of bacteria. But do not use it after brushing as it can remove fluoride from toothpaste.



The consumption of excess foods and sugary drinks can cause cavity in children and adults
  • Recognize serious gingival diseases

If the retraction of the tires (periodontitis) advances, you will notice that the spaces begin to form between the teeth – and while the bone that supports the teeth undergoes erosion, they can become soft.

If this condition is not controlled, bone loss can reach such a serious level that teeth can fall. You can also have bad breath. If you have these symptoms, consult the dentist immediately.

Finally, here are some quick suggestions to refresh your breath:

– Drink lots of water as bacteria can develop when the mouth is dry.

– Clean the tongue with a scraper of the tongue. This removes the particles from food, bacteria and dead cells, which can bring to breath.

“If you are not sure your breath is fresh, let a friend or a relative check.” But don’t forget to carefully choose who to ask!

Adapted by the episode of the BBC podcast of the BBC of 29 April 2025.

Source: Terra

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