15 Steps to Get Rid of Bad Breath (Halitis)

Bad breath, clinically known as halitosis, is common. It can result from eating certain foods, such as onions or garlic. In many cases, brushing your teeth, using mouthwash, or sucking on mints can help fight bad breath. But that won’t fix chronic and persistent halitosis—bad breath that won’t go away and a sign of underlying oral or physical health problems.

This article describes how to get rid of bad breath and discusses the causes and risk factors of this condition.

How to cure and permanently get rid of bad breath

Since bad breath is a sign of underlying oral or physical health problems, getting rid of it means finding the root causes of this condition. Dental and medical treatments, changing lifestyle habits, medications and surgery can all play a role in getting rid of bad breath for good.

Conventional Therapy

The treatment approach taken by dentists and periodontists (gum specialists) for halitosis depends on the underlying cause. Many cases are related to plaque and calculus, a build-up of bacteria on the teeth, gums and mouth. This prompts several dental treatments, including:

• Scaling and root planing: Dentists or periodontists use scaling and root planing to treat gingivitis (gum disease) and periodontitis (gum infection) by removing the bacteria that cause bad breath. They use tools to remove build-up along the teeth, in the pockets between them, under the gum line and at their roots.
• Mechanical cleaning: Bad breath is often associated with the buildup of a layer of bacteria, or biofilm, on the tongue and teeth. Mechanical cleaning involves using a scraper or brush on the tongue to remove it.
• Oral rinses: Medicated mouth rinse and washes away the target bacteria in your mouth. Your dentist or periodontist may recommend solutions of antibacterial agents such as chlorhexidine, zinc, triclosan, and cetylpyridinium chloride.

Lifestyle and habits

Poor oral hygiene is the main cause of bad breath. Therefore, there are many lifestyle changes you can make and habits you can adopt to promote the health of your teeth and mouth and prevent bad breath, including:

• Brushing and flossing: Brush your teeth well after eating and floss daily. Try using zinc mouthwash, which has been found effective for bad breath.
• Tongue scraping: Using a special scraper, you can perform a mechanical cleaning at home to remove the halitosis-causing biofilm on the tongue.
• Avoid smoke: Freshening your breath is one of the many benefits of quitting smoking. not only does smoking directly cause bad breath, but it also causes dry mouth, which can lead to bad breath.
• Dietary changes: Minimize onions, garlic, pickles and spices in your diet as these can make your breath spicy.
• Clean your dentures: False teeth or dentures can be reservoirs for bad breath bacteria. Regular and proper cleaning and disinfection can prevent chronic bad breath.
• Avoid dry mouth: Drink plenty of water and keep your mouth moist. avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can cause dry mouth.
• Stimulate saliva: Your dentist may recommend that you chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva production, which protects your mouth from bacteria.
• Natural remedies: Home remedies for bad breath include mouthwashes made with essential oils, chewing certain herbs, and drinking green tea.

Medicines and surgeries

Some cases of halitosis occur due to non-oral health conditions that require medication or treatment. Antacids may help relieve symptoms when gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)—a chronic form of heartburn—is the underlying cause.

Bronchitis or other bacterial respiratory infections can cause bad breath, so a healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics for the underlying infection.

Infected adenoids—glands located behind the nose and above the mouth—also cause bad breath. Surgery to remove them, or an adenoidectomy, treats the infection by reducing the smell of your breath.

Some cases of halitosis can also be treated with photodynamics treatment. This involves directing radio waves and laser beams to kill the bacteria in your mouth. In a research review published in 2022, the authors found that this reduces levels of odor-causing volatile sulfur compounds.

Chronic Bad Breath: Why Can’t I Get Rid of My Bad Breath?

Chronic bad breath can be a symptom of dental problems or other illnesses. In addition, certain behavioral patterns and lifestyle habits can put you at greater risk. If you can’t get rid of bad breath, it may be because you’re not treating the cause of it.

Causes and Risk Factors

Bad breath occurs when you exhale chemicals known as volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), which include hydrogen sulfide, methylmercaptanand dimethyl sulfide. These are produced by different bacteria that line your tongue, mouth and parts of your throat.

A wide range of conditions can cause halitosis and increase the risk of chronic halitosis, including:

• Dry mouth: Smoking, drinking alcohol, certain medications or other factors cause dry mouth, known clinically as dry mouth; Insufficient saliva allows bad breath bacteria to thrive.
• Oral diseases: Dental issues such as gum disease, gum infection, tooth decay or loss, and tooth abscess cause 80% to 90% of halitosis.
• Respiratory conditions: Infections and diseases of the respiratory system and sinuses, such as bronchitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis and others, can contribute to bad breath.
• Digestive conditions: Chronic bad breath can also be caused by GERD, hiatal hernia and other gastrointestinal diseases.
• Chronic illness: Kidney disease, liver problems, heart failure and diabetes are among many chronic conditions that can also cause bad breath.

When to visit a dentist

Although it’s normal to have bad breath occasionally, it’s worth seeking dental help if it persists. This is especially true if bad breath persists despite lifestyle changes and oral hygiene habits. Call a dentist if you develop other dental symptoms or have bad breath despite brushing and flossing regularly and using mouthwash.

Because bad breath can have a serious impact on mental health—and be a sign of more serious problems—the sooner you treat bad breath, the better off you’ll be. Understanding what’s causing the problem is the first step to learning how to deal with it.

Summary

“Halitosis” is the clinical term for chronic bad breath. While occasional bad breath is normal, chronic bad breath is often a sign of a more serious health condition. This condition is caused by a build-up of bacteria in your mouth, tongue and throat.

Management strategies include dental cleanings, mouthwash, avoiding certain foods, and staying hydrated. If you have trouble keeping your breath fresh despite brushing and flossing regularly, seek dental care to learn about your treatment options.