Help for bad breath

Bad breath, or halitosis, is a very common problem among Finns and is in fact the third most common reason for visiting the dentist. It can be occasional, in which case the cause is often diet, smoking, or alcohol consumption. Everyone also suffers from bad breath at least sometimes in the morning, but brushing your teeth every morning helps with that.

The problem may also be long-term, in which case brushing, for example, provides only temporary relief. There can be several causes, such as poor oral hygiene, various infections in the mouth, medications, or dry mouth. By far the biggest cause of bad breath, however, is bacterial growth that produces sulfur compounds, which lives on the mucous membranes of the mouth and especially on the surface of the tongue. Unfortunately, it is not possible to completely eliminate all bacteria, but their numbers can be significantly reduced.

The easiest, cheapest, and most effective way is to gently clean the surface of your tongue while brushing your teeth. You can clean your tongue with a toothbrush, but if the white or yellow bacterial coating on your tongue doesn’t come off easily, you can also buy a tongue scraper designed for this purpose at a pharmacy. A tongue scraper is inexpensive and lasts for years.

Various mouthwashes can promote oral health and reduce tooth decay, but they usually only mask bad breath, leaving the underlying cause untreated and allowing the problems to persist. If symptoms persist despite enhanced self-care, you should visit a dentist to determine the exact cause.

After eating, bacteria multiply more rapidly than usual in the mouth. This can be slowed down by neutralizing the acid attack with xylitol gum or lozenges.

Bad breath is therefore a very common yet embarrassing and somewhat shameful condition, for which people often don’t dare or know how to seek help. Many people also suffer from this condition without realizing it themselves, so a tactfully offered observation from someone else—whether a family member or a dentist—can be invaluable.