Many people think that the cause of bad breath comes from the stomach, but this is wrong. In fact, the most common cause of unpleasant breath is the accumulation of harmful bacteria in the mouth - because in nine out of ten cases, bad breath arises in the oral cavity. These bacteria are found between the teeth, in the gum pockets and in the hollows on the tongue and produce so-called volatile sulfur compounds, which are responsible for the bad smell.

Basically, bad breath is not dangerous to your health, but it is very unpleasant. It can trigger embarrassing professional and private situations and greatly unsettle those affected. Do you feel insecure when you open your mouth in front of other people, especially in situations where you can get very close - such as a business meeting or a private date? Or worse, maybe you don't realize you have bad breath and your family and friends aren't afraid to tell you? Do the fact check! Hold one hand close to your mouth and breathe into your hand with your mouth open. This way you can tell if your breath smells unpleasant.

Causes of bad breath

Bad breath can have many causes, ranging from poor oral hygiene, protein-rich diets and fasting, gum inflammation and periodontitis to dry mouth, consumption of special foods such as garlic or onions as well as alcohol and tobacco consumption.

The most important causes are briefly explained here:

Poor oral hygiene

If If food remains stuck between your teeth, bacteria can settle. To prevent this, you should brush your teeth twice a day and floss regularly. For a lasting effect, the use of brushes for the spaces between the teeth is also recommended.

Inflammation of the gums and periodontitis

Inflammation of the gums, periodontitis and tooth decay are the result of dental plaque, which can also lead to unpleasant breath due to bacterial decomposition.

Dry mouth

Salivation helps clean the mouth while protecting against bacterial buildup. When you have a dry mouth, food residues and dead mucous membrane cells are broken down by bacteria, producing volatile sulfur compounds that cause an unpleasant odor.

Dry mouth can have a variety of causes, including not drinking enough fluids, stress, or taking certain medications. Older people in particular suffer from dry mouth. But pregnancy, puberty and menopause can also lead to dry mouth due to hormonal reasons and thus trigger bad breath.

Tips against bad breath

• Maintain good oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth twice a day, using dental floss and brushing between your teeth is now part of standard oral hygiene.
• Ensure healthy, balanced oral flora with an oral probiotic such as PRObiom® Dental. PRObiom® Dental contains the bacterium Streptococcus salivarius M18, which occurs naturally in the mouth and has been proven to inhibit the growth of harmful germs and at the same time produces enzymes that reduce plaque and acid formation.
• If your mouth is dry, drink enough water and chew sugar-free gum, as chewing stimulates saliva production.
  • If you have bad breath caused by garlic or onions, chewing parsley or taking leafy greens in the form of chlorophyll tablets can neutralize the bad smell.