How to Get Rid of Bad Breath From Smoking?

Dealing with bad breath is not a situation anyone wants to be in. Whether you’re attending an important meeting or an interview, going on a date or simply hanging out with friends, bad breath can negatively affect your confidence and social interactions. 

On top of that, it can be incredibly uncomfortable and embarrassing to have someone point it out to you. While it’s normal to have bad breath when you wake up in the morning, it usually goes away once you clean your teeth. If bad breath persists, despite your many efforts at getting rid of it by cleaning your mouth and using mints and sprays, it could be a sign of an underlying condition. 

What Causes Bad Breath?

When it comes to bad breath (also known as halitosis), there is no single cause behind it. There are several reasons, which include: 

• Bacteria – Bacteria living inside your mouth (especially on the surfaces of your tongue and throat) can break down proteins at a rapid pace, releasing volatile sulphur compounds that produce a foul odour when you breathe. 
• Dry Mouth – This condition occurs when your saliva production decreases. As a result, the bacteria in your mouth aren’t washed away as often causing bad breath to build up in your mouth. Certain medicines, medical conditions, stress, smoking or alcohol can cause a dry mouth. 
• Specific Food – Food like onions and garlic, with strong-smelling compounds, can cause bad breath. These are absorbed into your bloodstream and released by your lungs when you breathe. 
• Gum Disease – Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease occurs when bacteria accumulate on your teeth and along the gums and irritate or infect the gum tissue. Left untreated, gum disease can lead to bleeding and receding gums or even tooth loss. 
• Gut Issues – Health problems, such as constipation, bowel disorders and acid reflux in your stomach can cause bad breath. 
• Sinus Infections – When you have a sinus infection, your sinuses can get blocked, forcing the mucus towards the back of your throat. This unpleasant-smelling mucus then meets the air you exhale, causing bad breath. 

In addition to the causes mentioned above, smoking can also cause bad breath.  

How Does Smoking Cause Bad Breath? 

Smoking can cause a number of oral and overall health complications, ranging from oral cancer, gum disease to tooth decay, and tooth loss. Among these dental issues is none other than bad breath. 

But how does smoking cause bad breath?  

For one, when you smoke, it can leave smoke particles trapped in your mouth, throat and lungs. These particles can then mix with your saliva and cause bad breath. In addition to that, smoking can also cause dry mouth by reducing the amount of saliva in your mouth. Without enough saliva to wash away bacteria, it provides the perfect opportunity for bacteria to thrive and produce foul odours inside your mouth. 

Tips to Treat Bad Breath From Smoking

The good news, however, is that bad breath from smoking can be reduced. Here are a few things you can do:

1. Brush and Floss Your Teeth Regularly 

Daily oral hygiene is one of the most effective ways to avoid dental problems and bad breath. Maintaining a good oral hygiene routine can increase your chances of getting rid of bad breath, and all you have to do is brush and floss your teeth daily. We recommend brushing twice daily using a soft-bristled toothbrush and flossing at least once daily. 

You can also use a mouthwash after brushing and flossing your teeth, as they help kill bacteria and freshen your breath temporarily. 

2. Stop Smoking 

Want to get rid of bad breath from smoking? Well, then, it’s time to quit smoking and using tobacco products. By quitting smoking, you’ll be able to prevent other dental conditions such as gum disease, tooth decay and cancer, in addition to getting rid of bad breath. 

3. Use a Tongue Cleaner 

The surface of your tongue is a place where bacteria can accumulate. To reduce bad breath-causing bacteria, cleaning your tongue is a good idea. You can do this using your toothbrush with light forward and backward strokes or a tongue scraper. Avoid scrubbing harshly to avoid damage and discomfort when using the tongue scraper. 

4. Stay Hydrated 

As mentioned before, smoking can cause a dry mouth condition, with insufficient saliva to wash away bacteria and food particles in your mouth. Drinking more water and staying hydrated can stimulate saliva production, which helps wash away bacteria and food particles in your mouth. 

5. Chew Sugar-Free Gum 

If you have a dry mouth, chewing sugar-free gum is yet another solution that can promote saliva production. Additionally, chewing sugar-free gum can also freshen your breath temporarily. However, make sure to opt for sugar-free gum in order to avoid exposing the bacteria in your mouth to sugar. If that happens, the bacteria can produce excess acid that can cause bad breath. 

Maintaining good oral hygiene and promoting saliva production by staying hydrated or chewing sugar-free gum is key if you want to enjoy fresh breath.

While certain products like breath mints, sugar-free gum, mouthwash and mouth sprays may help you get rid of bad breath, they don’t provide lasting effects. So, if you have bad breath from smoking, quitting is the best way not just to get fresher breath but to improve your oral and overall health.