Fight Bad Breath or Halitosis

Ever been kept at an arm’s length by a friend? If yes, then there’s a possibility that you’re suffering from chronic halitosis. Millions of us suffer from the same. Unfortunately, your suffering probably affects your nearest and dearest, too. And the worst part is many of us don’t even have a clue about it until a very close friend dares to tell us about it.

Embarrassing? Yes, it can really make you feel like an outcast in a group.

The Root Cause Of Halitosis (Bad Breath)

Generally, bad breath originates from gums and tongue. It can also issue from the stomach, but this is rare. The bacteria from the decay of food particles is mainly responsible for the abhorrent smell. Other common reasons: insufficient oral hygiene, and specifically the debris left in the mouth after meals. This decay process produces a sulphur compound which produces the unpleasant odor.

How To Keep A Check On Bad Breath?

If you’re unsure whether bad breath is a problem for you, ask a close friend of yours. If the response is yes, here are some tips to deal with it.

* Keep rinsing your mouth after your meals. This a temporary solution that offers some help.
* Cut down spicy food. Spicy food can increase the unpleasant odor.
* Brush your teeth when you wake up in the morning and before you go to bed in night. Brushing should include your tongue and the insider of your cheeks as well. Drinking fluids is also a smart solution.
* Don’t ingest tobacco products, no matter what. Tobacco smoke produces substances like nicotine and tar, which accumulate on your teeth. This not only produces unpleasant odor, but also looks pretty darn unattractive. Drink less alcohol too, which is drying.
* Use a good toothpaste which neutralizes sulphur compounds and has anti-bacterial properties.
* Do not skip your breakfast. Missing your breakfast may create a mild form of ketosis, encouraging bacteria.

If after all this, the problem still remains, visit your dentist. Get your mouth cleaned regularly, removing plaque as an encouragement to unwanted bacteria.

What are Some Underlying Causes of Bad Breath Besides Poor Oral Hygiene?

Chewing of tobacco and excessive smoking. As explained above, tar and nicotine often leads to unpleasant odors.

Many foods can also contribute to bad breath: spicy and protein-rich food in particular.

Several health conditions like diabetes, sinusitis and kidney failure can lead to bad breath, though this is rare.

The use of dentures or braces which aren’t cleaned properly are a sure route to bad breath.

Xerostomia is another condition that can bring bad breath to the table. The saliva in our mouth helps to cleanse bacteria. Xerostomia makes the mouth dry, reducing the amount of saliva produced. This encourages bad breath.

Even hormonal changes can have a bad effect on your breath. So can dieting and age.

A Self Test For Bad Breath

Lick your wrist and wait for five seconds to allow the wrist to dry up. Now smell it. Is it foul? If no, then the news is good: you probably don’t suffer from bad breath.