Cigarettes contain about 600 different ingredients, many of which are extremely harmful and can cause different health issues, including bad breath. Smoking is also one of the greatest causes of gum disease and tooth decay, both of which can result in bad breath. Nicotine use dries out the mouth which can affect saliva production which can cause halitosis. While halitosis can be managed and maintained through a good oral care routine, only giving up smoking completely will solve the cause of a smoker's bad breath and will eradicate tooth decay smell completely. There are many tools to help smokers quit, and we recommend giving up smoking to help maintain oral health, overall health and to get rid of a smoker's bad breath permanently. Brushing daily, flossing, and using a mouthwash can help mitigate smokers' bad breath but will not get rid of a smoker's bad breath completely. 

Smokers Breath Causes

Poor Oral Hygiene 

A lack of brushing, flossing, and poor oral hygiene overall can lead to halitosis and bad breath. If good oral care is not being maintained daily, bacteria that form on the teeth, gums, and in the mouth can release a gas when they come into contact with food. This gas smells unpleasant and is what we recognise as bad breath. For smokers, this smell can also be a sign that the bacteria is eating away at the tooth, resulting in gum disease or tooth decay. In this case, oral care at home is not enough, and you should seek advice and treatment from a dentist.

Certain Foods & Drinks

Paired with smoking, certain foods and drinks can enhance bad breath. One of the main causes of mild or temporary rotten tooth smell or halitosis is food and drink. Foods like garlic and onion can cause bad breath, while alcohol can also cause bad breath or halitosis. The way in which some foods are digested in the body can result in bad breath, while drinks like coffee and alcohol affect saliva production, resulting in bad breath. 

Periodontal Disease

Smoking and nicotine use can directly cause gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, which can lead to a rapid deterioration in oral health and can cause bad breath. Periodontal disease occurs when plaque isn’t removed properly from teeth through brushing, flossing good oral hygiene, or because of nicotine use. Over time, this plaque turns into tartar which can cause small openings between the teeth and gums. Food, bacteria, and dental plaque collect in these pockets, resulting in tooth decay, bad breath, and tooth decay smell. 

Lack of Regular Dental Check Ups 

For smokers, oral health is impacted daily through nicotine use, so it is even more important that smokers visit their dentist regularly to ensure oral health is maintained. It is vital that as soon as you notice tooth decay smell or experience prolonged halitosis you visit your dentist. If the odour is in fact tooth decay or a rotten tooth or teeth, only your dentist can treat these oral health issues. Rotten or decaying teeth must be treated professionally to save the teeth and protect oral health. 

Not Using Active Ingredients or Prescriptive Solutions 

Everyone’s oral care concerns and goals differ. If you are using a generic one-size-fits-all selection of oral care solutions, they may not be targeting your specific oral health needs. If you are experiencing bad breath or halitosis it is important to use a clinically proven toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash that have been specifically created to combat bad breath. It’s also important to ensure that the ingredients in your oral care essentials are clean, active, and clinically proven to ensure best results. Look for the ingredients Fluoride and Chlorhexidine which will work to combat the bacteria that cause bad breath. 

Lack of Oral Health Education

If you are lacking in oral health education, it can be difficult to know how to target bad breath. At Spotlight Oral Care, our goal is to educate you on your oral health, help you to identify your oral health goals, and then actively help you to achieve them by using our prescriptive oral care solutions. Your oral health needs are as individual as you are, so don’t settle for a one-size-fits-all oral care routine. Our clean, clinically proven, active ingredient-infused formulations have been created specifically to treat your oral care concerns and we are on hand to make sure you get the most from your smile.