Here’s how to tell if you have bad breath, according to a dentist

Get minty fresh.

Nobody wants to be told they smell. Like having a piece of spinach stuck in your teeth or toilet paper stuck to the bottom of your shoe, bad breath or BO can be embarrassing, no matter how gently the news is delivered. Perhaps even worse is when people don’t say anything, and instead opt to gossip about it behind closed doors.

Australian dentist Dr Cherie Yam also emphasises that bad breath can hurt relationships. “Persistent bad breath (halitosis) can be a major turn-off in romantic relationships. It can cause embarrassment and self-consciousness, leading to decreased intimacy and reluctance to engage in close interactions such as kissing and cuddling,” she says.

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“It not only impacts the person with the bad breath, it also affects the other person in the relationship as they might find the breath a turn-off. Good dental hygiene is essential to maintain good breath.” Here, Dr Cherie speaks on the causes of bad breath, ways to treat it and shares her top minty-fresh prevention tips.

What are some of the causes of bad breath?

Dentally speaking, bad breath or ‘halitosis’ is mostly caused by the teeth or the gums. Certain bacteria associated with untreated dental decay or poor gum health can create sulfuric compounds – creating that poor smell or taste that cannot be rectified, no matter how many mints you have!

Food getting caught between the teeth or on your tongue without being cleared can also create a bad smell on its own and can cause these issues with your gums and teeth. Less obvious causes could be gastric reflux issues you didn’t know you had or dry mouth. If you sleep with your mouth open or take medications that reduce your saliva flow, that bad-smelling bacteria can’t be cleared from your mouth.

Throat or sinus issues that cause post-nasal drip also harbour poor-tasting and smelling particles, which can be the cause of sudden bad breath. Of course, tobacco and certain food products can also lead to some unwanted odours!

How can you tell if you have bad breath?

Many people can tell if they have bad breath – especially if it’s sudden onset. Often you will be able to taste the bad breath in your mouth. If you have a bad taste in your mouth, it’s quite likely you may have bad breath too. You can try the lick test – just lick your wrist and let it dry. If the part you licked smells, it’s likely your breath smells too. Another way, of course, is to ask someone you trust, whether it be someone close to you or your friendly dental professional.

Can you share your top bad breath-prevention tips?

The number one tip is hygiene – keep your mouth and teeth clean. Floss your teeth and clean your tongue on top of your regular twice-a-day brushing to clear all of those particles. Rinse with mouthwash or use a waterflosser if needed. Make sure you drink enough water and chew gum if you have low salivary flow, as this improves the taste and smell of your mouth, as well as increases saliva production.

Keep an eye out for issues with indigestion or heartburn. You may have an undiagnosed gastric issue! Finally, make sure to see your dentist. They will be able to clean and diagnose any potential dental issues that are harbouring bad-smelling bacteria or infections.

Why do you think bad breath can have such an impact on relationships?

Bad breath is something that can impact new relationships or long-term relationships. Lack of intimacy can be an issue as (let’s face it) [bad breath is] a turn-off. If you’re finding that friends or coworkers are avoiding being in close quarters with you or your partner is reluctant to give you a goodbye kiss before leaving the house, you may have an issue with halitosis.

People with bad breath also often experience anxiety or stress around social interactions. A more isolated social life and low self-esteem can certainly have a psychological impact when exploring new or old relationships.

If a bad breath issue continues to persist, what should we do?

If you’ve done everything you can yourself to improve the bad breath issue, you may need a health professional involved. The first step would be for your dentist to identify any obvious dental issues (such as periodontal/gum disease or decay). Next would be to refer to your GP, who can look at any medical conditions that are linked to inflammation in the gum, throat or sinus.

How can we broach the subject with someone else in a gentle way?

This is a very sensitive topic for most people. If they are aware of their bad breath, then they may already have anxiety and low self-esteem around it. If they aren’t aware of it, it can be a shocking and embarrassing moment for them and they could become defensive. If you… discuss it directly, try to approach it gently, empathetically and perhaps with some humour (if you’re comfortable enough).

If you want to avoid an uncomfortable conversation with a partner in particular, make it a couple’s activity. Work on your oral health habits together and suggest a visit to the dentist for a checkup together! Suggest things like changing up your toothpaste or mouthwash. Keep on top of your oral hygiene practices at home and encourage them to drink more water.

For more on healthy oral hygiene, head here.