Bad Breath as Dentists Explain It: Why Brushing Alone Isn’t Enough (Causes of Bad Breath)

Why Bad Breath Isn’t Solved by Brushing Alone

Causes of bad breath

How dentists explain solving bad breath

When meeting someone for the first time,

the first thing that has the biggest impact is sight,

but the next strongest sense is smell.

No matter how neat someone looks or how good their impression seems,

the moment bad breath is noticed,

that image can collapse at once.

That is why many people

wonder, “Why does it still smell even after I brushed?”

Bad breath is not simply a hygiene issue;

it is a symptom with clear causes.

From here, I’ll pinpoint those causes accurately!

Causes of bad breath

Bad breath is broadly divided into

intraoral causes and extraoral causes,

and in fact, more than 90% of cases come from oral problems.

In other words, if the environment inside the mouth is favorable for bacteria to thrive,

bad breath is bound to occur naturally.

Let’s go through the representative causes one by one!

When brushing is not done properly

Many people think they are brushing,

but in reality, they are often not brushing properly.

If you do not clean not only the tooth surfaces

but also the spaces between teeth, the gum line, and the tongue,

bacteria will continue to multiply.

Hydrogen sulfide produced in this process

is a representative substance that causes bad breath,

creating an odor similar to rotten eggs.

The correct way to brush

is to hold the toothbrush horizontally and clean in an up-and-down direction

with gentle pressure,

and you must also take care of the tongue.

When tongue coating is not removed

If there is a white or yellowish film on the tongue,

it is not simply residue,

but tongue coating where bacteria have accumulated.

Tongue coating is also a major cause

of bad breath,

and hydrogen sulfide is produced there as well.

You need the habit of brushing the tongue when you brush your teeth

and managing it with a tongue cleaner.

When tonsil stones are present

One of the causes of odor coming from the back of the throat

is tonsil stones.

They are small yellow pellets formed when food debris collects in the tonsils

and combines with bacteria.

They cause a strong odor,

and in many cases they cannot be solved by brushing alone.

Along with maintaining good oral hygiene in daily life,

it may help to prevent them by drinking enough water

or to remove them directly with a cotton swab,

but if the symptoms recur,

you need treatment at a dental clinic or an otolaryngology clinic.

When there is gum disease

Tartar is more than just a cosmetic issue;

it can be seen as a mass of bacteria.

When tartar builds up, gum inflammation occurs

and leads to periodontal disease,

and in this process, strong bad breath develops.

In particular, tartar cannot be removed by brushing,

so regular scaling is essential.

Just a moment! Scaling information

Scaling is not just for cosmetic purposes;

it is a basic treatment for oral health.

If you are 19 or older,

you can receive health insurance coverage once a year,

and the cost burden is not large.

In many cases, bad breath improves simply by removing tartar,

so regular care is important.

When there is malocclusion

If you brush well and have no tartar,

but bad breath continues,

you may suspect malocclusion

as a cause of bad breath.

If the teeth are not aligned evenly,

food can easily get trapped,

and a dry environment is created inside the mouth,

which allows bacteria to multiply more actively.

Also, if the mouth does not close completely,

oral breathing can make bad breath worse.

In such cases, orthodontic treatment can address the root cause.

Just a moment! Types of orthodontic treatment

Orthodontic treatment

is divided into traditional bracket braces, lingual braces, and clear aligners,

and is carried out over a period of about 1 to 2 years.

If aesthetics are important, you can choose clear aligners;

if you want lower cost and stronger corrective force,

you can choose bracket braces.

Clear aligner devices

include various systems such as Invisalign, NanoLiner, and MagicAlign.

Gangnam Saero Dental Clinic bad breath treatment

Bad breath is more than just discomfort;

it is a very small but important issue

that can create distance between people.

You may not notice it yourself,

and someone else may quietly drift away

without saying anything.

That is why, before it gets any later,

it is necessary to know the cause accurately

and solve it properly.

Gangnam Saero Dental Clinic

does not simply cover up symptoms,

but identifies the reason bad breath developed one by one

and aims for the most fundamental solution.

Treatment that does not miss even invisible discomfort,

a principle of proceeding only as much as is truly necessary without unnecessary treatment,

and sincere care that also considers the patient’s daily life.

One small change

can change your impression,

and even the distance between you and others.

A new smile

A new beginning

This is Gangnam Saero Dental Clinic.

• This post was written based on medical information provided by a medical institution due to a third-party contractual relationship.