‘Why do I have such bad breath?’

An Aussie woman has revealed a big issue that impacts 30 per cent of Australians – and is also a massive “ick”.

Welcome to Ask Doctor Zac, a weekly column from news.com.au. This week, Dr Zac Turner discusses halitosis – aka bad breath – and what can be done to cure it.

QUESTION: Hi Dr Zac, I’m hoping you can turn my Christmas tragedy into a Christmas miracle! I have recently self-diagnosed myself with halitosis after years of my friend telling me my mouth smells like a fish factory. It’s now crunch time – I’m meeting my partner’s family for the first time this Christmas and I fear I will scare his mum and dad away with my bad breath. First impressions count – and I don’t want to give them the ick.

What causes it and what should I be doing to prevent it? What’s the best thing to eat to not only mask bad breath, but actually cure it too? What are the foods that cause halitosis more than anything? – Angelica 28 Brisbane

ANSWER: Hi Angelica, a few red flags here! Firstly, you should never self diagnose yourself without seeking further professional medical advice. I am a big advocate for patients to champion their own health, but I never recommend they become their own doctor without spending eight years in university. The first step for you is to see your GP and ask for their advice, and see if they can provide treatment and advice.

’I have recently self-diagnosed myself with halitosis after years of my friend telling me my mouth smells like a fish factory.’ Picture: iStock

Bad breath affects everyone at some point in their life. It can occur from gum disease, tonsil stones, smoking or even a normal cup of coffee washed down with garlic bread. Some people, however, deal with it every day of their life which is medically called halitosis.

It’s great that your friends told you because many people don’t even realise they have it. A diagnosis can cause fairly severe emotional and psychological stress with some even forgoing all social interaction to avoid turning off people’s noses.

Halitosis can be caused by the sulphur-producing bacteria living on your tongue. Sometimes this bacteria starts to break down proteins at a very high rate which releases smelly volatile sulphur compounds (VSC). This affects roughly 2.4 per cent of the adult population.

I’m meeting my partner’s family for the first time this Christmas and I fear I will scare his mum and dad away with my bad breath.’ Picture: iStock

Typically, halitosis is also caused by poor oral hygiene, gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis, and dry mouth. This is a condition where the salivary glands cannot make enough saliva to keep your mouth moist. A visit to the dentist may even help your bad breath!

Other common causes of halitosis include kidney failure, or post nasal discharge.

Of course food can also be the main suspect in causing bad breath and I recommend you avoid foods such as onion, garlic or cauliflower on, or the lead up to, Christmas Day. Alcohol also causes bad breath, especially those high in sulfites like wine. Alcohol has a dehydrating effect, which allows for bad bacteria to linger and thrive.

I wouldn’t recommend just sticking to breath mints to solve your bad breath. They are just a bandaid solution that will mask the cause of the problem.

After seeing your GP and dentist, I recommend you stick to natural remedies to solve your problems. Herbs such as parsley, mint, tarragon and basil all have pleasant smells that can mask bad breath. Try experimenting to see which one you like the most!

Herbs such as parsley, mint, tarragon and basil all have pleasant smells that can mask bad breath. Picture: iStock

Studies have also found that green tea can reduce bad breath due to its disinfectant qualities. Apples and lemons are also natural ‘cleaners’ that can break down the VSCs in your mouth. If you like the taste you could even try drinking pineapple juice!

If you do want to use a confectionery, reach for sugar-free gum instead of mints. Gum is great for getting your salivary flow stimulated and it also keeps your teeth clean.

If none of these work for you, I highly recommend you consult your GP as it could be a sign the bad breath is caused by a more serious health condition such as kidney failure.

Merry Christmas!

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Dr Zac Turner has a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Sydney. He is both a medical practitioner and a co-owner of telehealth service, Concierge Doctors. He was also a registered nurse and is a qualified and experienced biomedical scientist along with being a PhD Candidate in Biomedical Engineering.