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Is Your Toothpaste Causing Bad Breath? (You’d Hope Not!)

Bad breath is never nice to experience, especially if you’re on the receiving end! With it being estimated that 25% of us are experiencing bad breath, it's pretty common and a big issue for many. So, what causes bad breath even after brushing? There are a number of typical bad breath causes such as smelly foods, poor oral hygiene and health conditions, but did you know your toothpaste could also be playing a part? So, if you want to understand how your choice of toothpaste could be causing that stench as well as how to clear bad breath for good, read on!

How Can Your Toothpaste Cause Bad Breath?

Brushing your teeth every day with toothpaste is considered to be the cornerstone of good oral hygiene, but did you know that certain toothpastes, especially whitening ones, could be one of the causes of your bad breath? Here are 4 ways your toothpaste could be the reason:

  1. Drying Ingredients

    A big cause of smelly breath is dry mouth where you’re not making enough saliva to counteract the stinky bacteria. Many cheap whitening toothpastes are made to just whiten the teeth and don’t consider other aspects of oral hygiene. As a result, they can dry out the tongue which allows bacteria to multiply like crazy. Some even contain alcohol which is well known to be dehydrating.

  2. Irritating Detergents

    If your toothpaste contains harsh detergents like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) it could be causing issues with your breath. SLS is usually added to cheap whitening toothpastes to make them more bubbly and frothy, but this can also lead to irritation, especially if you have a sensitive mouth. This irritation can then lead to sores which have a strong odour if not treated.

  3. Pesky Pesticides

    The reason we always say to go natural when you’re buying any product that comes into contact with your body is to avoid the risks that come with strong chemical ingredients. Some whitening toothpastes contain an ingredient called triclosan which is actually considered to be an insecticide. Just like with the detergents, this can irritate the mouth and lead to more problems than it solves.

  4. Uncomfortable Sand

    This one may sound strange as you wouldn’t think toothpaste contains sand, but always read the ingredients as some actually do! Certain toothpastes, especially those for whitening, contain an ingredient called silica. This is the main component of sand so it can make your mouth feel dry, leading to a smell. Some also contain mica shards which have the same effect.

Oral Hygiene Routine To Avoid Bad Breath

So, now you know what you should be avoiding with your toothpaste and how it can cause bad breath, it ‘s now time to find an effective bad breath treatment in the form of a simple oral hygiene routine.

  1. Use A Natural Based Toothpaste

    Choose a toothpaste that is based on natural ingredients instead of chemicals in order to avoid it drying out your mouth and causing bad smells. Always check the ingredients list and avoid alcohol, detergents, pesticides and silica. Instead, go for naturally cleaning ingredients such as antibacterial tea tree oil to kill stinky bacteria or freshening peppermint oil for a pleasant minty scent.

    If you want a whitening toothpaste, look for ingredients such as organic coconut oil, sodium bicarbonate and activated charcoal. If you want the best toothpaste for bad breath then a high-quality activated charcoal toothpaste with these ingredients is the way to go! Just make sure you brush with your new toothbrush twice a day in the morning and evening for best results.

    Best Natural Toothpaste Ingredients To Avoid Bad Breath

    Peppermint Oil
    Tea Tree Oil
    Organic Coconut Oil
    Sodium Bicarbonate
    Activated Charcoal
  2. Use A Tongue Scraper

    Your tongue is a hotspot for bacteria to develop so after brushing it's important that you use a tongue scraper to clean your tongue. Brushing alone won’t necessarily tackle your tongue so a scraper can really help get rid of lingering bacteria that can cause bad breath. Most toothbrushes now have their own tongue scraper on the back or you can buy one separately.

  3. Use An Antibacterial & Alcohol Free Mouthwash

    The next step after brushing and scraping is to use a mouthwash to clean away any other lurking bacteria, food or dirt that you might have missed. Make sure you choose a mouthwash that is free from alcohol as this could dry your mouth out and lead to bad breath. It's also best if you choose one that is advertised as being antibacterial as the bacteria is the main cause for a stinky mouth and is responsible for all types of bad breath smells.

  4. Brush Your Teeth With Activated Charcoal

    If you’re wondering how to cure bad breath permanently, then one of the best ways is to brush your teeth with activated charcoal on a regular basis. Activated charcoal is excellent for oral hygiene as it's super absorbent so it binds to toxins, smells and impurities in the mouth and then washes them away. Activated charcoal powder is also great for whitening your teeth as it can remove stains. Using the powder alongside bamboo toothbrushes with charcoal bristles is the best way to achieve optimum results.

Overview

You should now know how to stop bad breath from the mouth and how your choice of toothpaste could actually be causing smelly breath without you even realising! To avoid the smell, follow our simple cleaning routine and you can be on your way to bright, clean and fresh smelling teeth in no time!

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