The 10 most important tips on bad breath
1Tip
Bad breath is not just bad breath
Bad breath is the umbrella term for various forms of unpleasant-smelling breath. The consumption of certain foods such as onions or garlic, stimulants such as tobacco or alcohol, or an empty stomach can cause bad breath in the short term.
In the case of permanent bad breath, a distinction is made between two forms:
- Bad breath that is perceived only when exhaling through the mouth of strangers (medically Foetor ex ore) and has its causes in the mouth, nose or throat.
- Unpleasant odor when exhaling through the nose, which is also perceived by the person affected (medically halitosis) and whose causes usually stem from diseases of the digestive system, respiratory organs or metabolism.
In the evening: "Care and feel-good tooth brushing". Important ingredients of toothpaste (fluoride, liquid enamel) should be attached to the cleaned surface (at the earliest 2 hours after eating acidic meals/drinks).
Expert tip
Bad breath is not a disease, in the long term often a sign of poor oral hygiene or an accompanying symptom of systemic diseases. Older people are affected more often than younger people, men more often than women.
2Tip
About one in four adults is affected
In well over 90 % of all cases, it is so-called foetor ex ore. It is not "the stomach" that is responsible, but bacterial decay processes in the mouth (especially the base of the tongue, interdental spaces, dentures) or in the nose/throat (especially tonsillitis, tonsil stones).
Expert tip
Co-factors such as stress or an unbalanced diet/diet or dry mouth can promote bad breath.
3Tip
Musty-smelly to fishy or fecal odor
The causes of the foul odor are sulfur compounds, biogenic amines, ketones or short-chain carboxylic acids, which result from the bacterial decomposition of organic substances from food or exfoliated mucosal cells in bacterial plaques.
The oral cavity and the pharynx offer ideal conditions for this with the many niches and roughnesses on the teeth, tongue and tonsils.
Expert tip
Bacterial plaque on the back of the tongue, in interdental spaces and defective dentures are the most common causes of unpleasant bad breath (foetor ex ore).
4Tip
Other causes for bad breath
- Disease of the periodontium (periodontitis) and tooth decay (caries)
- Reduced salivary flow (dry mouth), also in connection with mouth breathing, snoring or taking certain medications such as antihypertensives, antidepressants, etc.
- Bacterial inflammation of the mouth and throat such as pharyngitis, sinusitis, rhinitis, etc.
- Very rare: Tumors of the mouth and throat
- Lung diseases such as bronchitis
Expert tip
Diseases of the digestive tract (esophagus, stomach, intestines), infections such as Helicobacter pylori, diabetes mellitus or poisoning (phosphorus, arsenic, selenium) are only in a few exceptional cases the reason for unpleasant bad breath.
5Tip
Bad breath can be imagined
Some people perceive bad breath in themselves, although objectively there is no bad breath (halitophobia). This can trigger fears or even compulsive ideas or actions.
Expert tip
Bad breath can be measured. The most accurate way is through a gas chromatographic analysis of the breath, for example at the dentist. Just talk to your dentist at your next visit. That way you can be absolutely sure!
6Tip
Bad breath can be treated well
The basis of any therapy is a careful diagnosis by the dentist and/or physician in order to identify the triggering factors. If a systemic general disease is the cause, it is important to treat it causally. Often, however, dental rehabilitation, gum or periodontitis treatment or professional tooth and, above all, tongue cleaning is necessary.
If medications are also causative, it is important to check whether these can be changed. In children and adolescents, the question of a "tonsillectomy" (removal of the tonsils) also often arises, which must be discussed with the ear, nose and throat specialist.
Expert tip
Effective treatment of bad breath raises the self-esteem of those affected and improves their quality of life in the long term.
7Tip
This is the best way to prevent it
The most important thing to prevent bad breath is careful daily tooth and tongue cleaning (ApaCare® Toothpaste / ApaCare® Sonic Brush), preferably in conjunction with a twice-daily mouth rinse (ApaCare® Liquid). In addition - at least when it comes down to it - foods such as garlic, onions or even cabbage, which directly cause bad breath, should be avoided. Alcohol, coffee and nicotine should also be reconsidered and enjoyed in moderation.
Expert tip
Brush your teeth 2 times a day! The most effective way to clean teeth (and tongue) is with machine toothbrushes of medium hardness in combination with a fluoride toothpaste. Especially the interdental spaces should be carefully cleaned once a day using interdental brushes or dental floss. Toothpastes with medical hydroxyapatite such as ApaCare also reduce the buildup of plaque on the tooth surfaces, which has an additional positive effect.
8Tip
Particularly recommended: antibacterial mouth rinses twice a day
Mouth rinsing solutions contain antibacterial active complexes which, when rinsed twice a day for 20-30 seconds, ideally independently of tooth brushing (i.e. in between), can sustainably inhibit bacterial plaque in the mouth for up to 24 hours. This can permanently prevent caries and periodontitis and, above all, bad breath.
Expert tip
Brushing and rinsing, e.g. ApaCare Liquid, is always better than brushing alone.
9Tip
Special focus on the tongue
The rear third of the tongue in particular is an ideal habitat for odor-causing bacterial deposits and should be brushed daily. This can be done with a conventional toothbrush or with special tongue scrapers.
Expert tip
Using gentle pressure from back to front: stick out your tongue and gently hold the tip of your tongue with your thumb and index finger. With the other hand, move the toothbrush or tongue cleaner from far back to front several times with gentle pressure. Clean the brush/cleaner in between.
10Tip
Particularly sustainable: colonize good bacteria (probiotics)
A particularly lasting effect on the reduction of harmful microorganisms or microorganisms associated with bad breath can be achieved by regular use of natural probiotics such as BioLactis®. Application 1 time a day (60 s dissolve in the mouth or rinse in water) for 30 days protects up to 3 months. Probiotics such as BioLactis® effectively reduce bad breath, protect against caries and periodontitis, and are beneficial to the oral mucosa.
Expert tip
Regular use of high-quality oral probiotics such as BioLactis® can restore the balance of healthy oral flora and supports the natural defenses. For all age groups from the age of 3.