Bad Breath: What Causes It and What to do About It

Many people who think they have bad breath or halitosis, but only one in five people have it. This paranoia probably stems from the social stigma people put on those who actually have bad breath. In most cases, the causes of halitosis are simple and curable, but there are rare exceptions where their bad breath may need medical attention. Causes of Bad Breath

• Consuming certain food items. Food like coffee, onions and garlic are usually the culprits of bad breath. They might taste good, but their taste linger once they are absorbed in the bloodstream. The smell is expelled through the breath, and will remain until the food is completely processed by the body.
• Plaque buildup. If you do not brush and floss properly, bacteria forms in the mouth which leads to bad breath. The bacteria feeds on the food particles left in the mouth and release foul-smelling waste products. Those with braces should be extra careful when removing food particles from their mouth.
• Tongue bacteria.Growth of bacteria in the tongue accounts for majority of all bad breath cases. With poor oral hygiene, plaque bacteria is left behind in the teeth and gums, which produce bad-smelling waste products that eventually give bad breath. This bacteria can lead to cavities, tooth decay and gingivitis.
• Smoking. Smoking leads to serious halitosis. Worse, many smokers are not aware of it because they are already so accustomed to the smell. Aside from ridding you of bad breath, quitting smoking will also spare you from many health problems.
• Dry mouth. If your mouth is very dry, there will not be enough saliva to wash away bacteria and food particles. Overtime, they will build up on the teeth and develop an unpleasant smell. Certain medications, as well as stress breathing and breathing through the mouth can also lead to dry mouth.
• Infections. An infection from a wound in the mouth can be a place for bacteria buildup. Those going for oral surgery should be wary of infection. Your health provider can prescribe antibiotics to minimize the chances of infection. Bacteria can also infect the gums when they are not healthy, or if you have a physical injury or a health problem.
• Medical conditions. Halitosis can be because of certain conditions like tonsil stones, chronic sinusitis, diabetes, respiratory tract infections, liver disease, kidney ailments, and gastrointestinal disturbance. If you suspect that your bad breath is caused by any of these, contact your health care provider as soon as you can.

Treatment of Bad Breath

Limit intake of potent food items. After eating a meal with onion, garlic any other similar ingredients, the food will be absorbed in the bloodstream. Unfortunately, the stench also comes along where it will arrive in the lungs and pollute the breath. save your breath by limiting your intake of onions, garlic, selected fish varieties and meaty meals. If you really cannot avoid them, drink a glass of milk afterwards to help deodorize your breath.

Stay hydrated. When it comes to oral hygiene, saliva plays a crucial role. Saliva flushes the mouth of small food particles stuck in the teeth and gums. The absence of saliva in the mouth is called dry mouth, which can be caused by medications, dehydration, alcohol and caffeine consumption and certain diseases. To prevent dry mouth, chew on a piece of sugar-free gum or limiting your intake of drying food items like coffee.

Check your overall health. Acute ailments like a cold or allergies lead to post nasal drip, causing the formation of excess mucus, a feasting ground for bacteria. Aside from these, illnesses like gum, kidney and liver disease can contribute to halitosis. It is important that you get checked annually to prevent or treat these underlying health problems.

As a whole, halitosis is not really serious. However, if it goes beyond a few weeks, it might be caused by a deeper underlying problem. If this is the case with you, contact your health care professional to give it the necessary interventions.