Bad Breath
Causes and Home Remedies

A fifth to a quarter of the world's population temporarily suffers from clearly perceptible bad breath, 6% of all people even constantly. Bad breath is not only unpleasant for those around you, it can be insidious for those affected. Because the nose quickly gets used to smells and then no longer perceives them. It is not uncommon for bad breath to indicate diseases of the mouth area. The causes can be varied and are more than 86% in the oral cavity. The second most common cause is problems in the ear, nose and throat area, affecting around one in twelve patients. With age, the number of those suffering from halitosis increases and affects men and women equally.

What are the causes of bad breath?

In general, bad breath is divided into two main categories.

Transient Halitosis

The temporary bad breath is usually diet-related and occurs, for example, after eating certain foods such as garlic or onions. Smoking can also promote transient halitosis. Surprisingly, fasting or similar extreme diets can also have a detrimental effect on breathing. Here the natural "cleansing" caused by the increased saliva production when eating and the "wiping function" of the tongue is omitted. The causes of the so-called "morning breath" lie on the one hand in the lack of self-cleaning during sleep. Decreased salivation, reduced tongue movements or dry mouth contribute to this. Transient and morning bad breath disappear quickly and are by no means to be equated with real halitosis.

Persistent Halitosis

Persistent Halitosis, however, often stems from intraoral causes like inadequate oral hygiene or oral conditions, along with abscesses. Outside the mouth, ENT conditions like tonsillitis or sinus issues can also contribute, although ENT specialists note that bad breath is rarely caused by such conditions.

Another cause originating outside the mouth is diphtheria, which affects the upper respiratory tract and can be associated with an unpleasant, sweet odor.

Occasionally, medications can lead to bad breath, particularly if they influence saliva production or contain sulfur compounds

The stomach can also contribute to bad breath, although it accounts for less than 0.1% of cases and is considered insignificant.

General health conditions such as diabetes, bronchitis, pneumonia, and problems with the digestive system, liver, or kidneys, as well as imbalances in gut flora, can also contribute to bad breath.

Decreased saliva production, known as dry mouth, can also lead to persistent bad breath. This condition can be caused by certain systemic conditions or medications.

Older dentures or braces may develop an odor if not cleaned properly, as they can absorb odorous substances over time.

What can you do about bad breath?

Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss or dental brush, tongue scraper, mouthwash - the means for good oral hygiene are well known and have already been described in detail in our other articles. Of course, professional teeth cleaning is also part of this.

Which home remedies really help against bad breath?

Some home remedies such as coffee beans, parsley leaves or ginger offer quick and at least temporary help against temporarily bad breath. Natural yoghurt and mouthwashes with lemon or lime water are also popular allies in the fight against bad breath. However, these remedies are almost ineffective against "real" halitosis, which may be caused by an illness. Only a doctor can help here and initiate the appropriate treatment through the correct diagnosis.