According to dental experts, the cause may come from seemingly harmless habits.
Ignoring tongue hygiene
Dr. Harold Katz, a dental expert at California Breath Clinics (USA), said that most odor-causing bacteria reside on the surface of the tongue. "If you just brush your teeth without cleaning your tongue, the bacteria will continue to break down protein and create odor-causing sulfur compounds," he explained. Using a tongue scraper or soft brush to clean gently every day can significantly improve this condition.
Drinking not enough water
When the body is dehydrated, the amount of saliva decreases, causing the mouth to dry and bacteria to easily multiply. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), saliva plays a role in neutralizing acid and washing away food debris. Prolonged dry mouth not only causes bad breath but also increases the risk of tooth decay.
Eating a lot of smelly foods
Foods such as garlic, onions, coffee or smoking will make the mouth smell hotter than people who do not use it regularly. Professor Mel Rosenberg, a microbiologist at Tel Aviv University (Israel), said that some compounds from food can enter the blood and be excreted through breath, causing the smell to last even after brushing teeth.
Experts recommend that, in addition to brushing teeth at least twice a day, it is necessary to use dental floss, clean the tongue, drink enough water and have regular dental check-ups. If bad breath persists, people should go for examination to rule out potential oral or digestive diseases.
