Bad Breath Cure Myths

Bad breath, or halitosis, can be an embarrassing and bothersome issue affecting many. In the quest for fresh breath, numerous myths and misconceptions about its causes and cures—often termed as ‘Bad Breath Cure Myths’—have circulated for years. These myths have misled individuals seeking solutions, from obscure home remedies to supposed miracle cures. Separating fact from fiction is essential in the journey to tackle halitosis effectively. Unraveling the truth behind these myths not only sheds light on effective solutions but also helps in understanding the real culprits behind persistent bad breath.

Myth #1

Commercial mouthwashes effectively cure bad breath.

A typical commercial mouthwash contains alcohol which can contribute to the formation of more venues for bacteria to breed and cause bad breath. This is because alcohol causes the mouth to dry, and bacteria breeds quickly on dry mouth; becoming more powerful to produce volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) that produce bad breath.

However, newer mouthwashes are effective in curing bad breath since they contain chlorine dioxide that attacks VSCs.

To be sure, use mouthwash that your dentist prescribes.

Myth #2

You can tell if you have bad breath by licking your hand as you smell it or by breathing with your hands cupped between your mouth and nose.

First, if you lick your hand, the only portion of the tongue that will be used is the anterior portion. Since bacteria that cause bad breath reside at the back of the tongue, you can still not tell if you have bad breath or not.

Second, the air you breathe is not similar to the air you release when you talk. This is because bad breath-causing bacteria originate from the posterior part of the tongue and are only pushed forward once you speak. Thus you can never tell if you have bad breath or not only by smelling your breath.

Now, how can you tell if you have bad breath or not? The simplest way is by asking a 5-year-old child. They never lie.

Or, you can use a halimeter. This is a device that tells you the amount of VSCs present in your mouth.

Myth #3

Bad breath comes from the stomach

Many undergo intestinal cleansing methods since they believe that bad breath can be cured here since it originates in the stomach. Although in some cases it is true, still, more than 90% of bad breath cases come in the mouth particularly at the back of the tongue and in spaces between the teeth. So, it is important to know the origin of bad breath before making an action.

Myth #4

Good dental hygiene effectively cures bad breath

Tooth brushing and dental floss can indeed cure bad breath. However since many believe that by doing such things, they can be free from bad breath, the meaning of “good oral hygiene” is misinterpreted.

It is not enough to brush your teeth. And there is a proper way to do it. The same thing goes with using dental floss.

For most, 30 seconds is enough to brush their teeth. This is not enough since each tooth requires full attention to ensure they are clean and free from food particles. Thus, it is often recommended to brush your teeth 2 times a day for at least 3 minutes.

Some may also brush and floss their teeth properly and still be unable to eliminate bad breath. This is because most bad breath-causing bacteria reside on the tongue, thus it must be cleaned as well.

Myth #5

Changing your diet can cure bad breath

Avoiding foods that contain sulfur such as cabbage and onions can help stop temporary bad breath. But entirely changing your diet is not the solution since it was mentioned that over 90% of bad breath cases begin in the mouth.

The effective way to cure bad breath is by eliminating the bacteria that cause it. And doing this requires the combination of the right process to prevent bad breath.