June 30, 2006

Bad Breath (Halitosis)

Bad breath is a common problem and a cause for social embarrassment faced by majority of adults; in children it is comparatively rare. Very rarely will people tell the sufferer that he/she has it and the sufferers themselves may be quite unaware of it. One simple test that helps to detect it is to lick the back of your hand and sniff it. This puts your saliva and mouth odor under your nose and is a good guide to the state of your breath. Once bad breath is confirmed, the next step is treatment which will be based on the factors causing the same.

Causes & possible suggestions for cure:
1. Could it be that you lack of dental hygiene? Regular brushing and flossing can go a long way in solving this problem. Teeth should be brushed twice a day, early in the morning and just before bedtime. They should also be cleaned after every meal. Most of the time, this will give immediate and encouraging results.

2. Dental caries, infected gums and similar problems can also cause bad breath. Visit your dentist regularly for a thorough examination to rule out gum diseases like gingivitis & pyorrhea .A thorough scrape & polish by the dentist will remove the food debris & accumulated tartar and plaque.

3. Eating strong flavored foods like garlic, onions or cheeses could also be the culprit. People who drink and smoke heavily can literally reek of alcohol or tobacco. Correct & regular dental hygiene as described above is one of the solutions. You could also use antiseptic mouth wash. This kills bacteria, moistens the mouth and refreshes it by promoting saliva. But don’t over-use it. They can disturb the mouth’s natural flora and upset health balance.

5. Another cause might be improper working of the digestive tract. In this case what happens is that gases are formed, and chemicals are generated as a result of indigestion, which eventually result in foul breath. The cure could be eating a balanced diet, regularly, at fixed timing and avoiding oily and spicy food. Drinking plenty of water as well as fluids is another simple way of controlling this problem.

6. In some other cases, the problem may be slightly more complicated or serious. The person may be suffering from severe uncontrolled diabetes in which the breath develops a sweet & fetid odor. A lack of saliva too may result in bad odor, especially when one is suffering from cold. Respiratory tract illnesses, ulcers or intestinal disorders could also cause halitosis or bad breath.

If you suffer from bad breath and the cause isn’t directly linked to what you eat, smoke or drink and even after following scrupulous dental hygiene there is no improvement in your condition, you may have to seek medical attention to tackle your problem.

Tip: A good natural mouth wash is peppermint tea or a mixture of equal proportions of rosemary and mint steeped in hot water for half an hour; strain before use.

See also: Oral-Dental Hygiene & care/ Body Odor / Baths

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  1. Anonymous4:33 AM

    It seems as though Halitosis can be a sign of worse things going on in the body than just bad breath.

  2. Anonymous1:14 PM

    It depends on what causes the bad breath. In some instances regular brushing and flossing (at least twice a day) will help. Sometimes, though, there's an underlying health problem that requires advice from a health professional. If it's just "morning breath," rinsing with a mouthwash should do the trick

  3. Anonymous3:17 PM

    Gargle a cup of lukewarm water mixed with salt or half a lemon juice.This is best done before going to bed. Chew parsley leaves,which are sure to keep your breath fresh.

  4. Anonymous3:27 PM

    Bacteria from your saliva and it just sits on your tongue and the back of your mouth and also on teeth and gum's..

    To get rid of the bacteria i just use this tongue scraper.. it scrapes all the bacteria from the back of your tongue and then you mouth doesn't smell like anything!!

    you can get it at walmart or anywhere pretty much for like 5$ or less..

    also brush your teeth and gums like crazy to get all the gross smelling bacteria off of them too!

  5. Anonymous11:56 AM

    Milk intolerance is also a cause of bad breath. If you are sensitive to dairy products – steer clear of ice cream desserts!

  6. Tanvi6:38 PM

    Certain foods, especially ones like garlic and onions that contain pungent oils, can contribute to bad breath because the oils are carried to your lungs and out through your mouth

  7. Aamir3:47 PM

    Bad breath often strikes in those individuals who do not take care of their oral health properly. This bad odor usually happens by decayed food particles and bacteria in your mouth. So, get into a healthy habit of cleaning your tongue regularly. Try to clean or floss your mouth immediately after eating some food to avoid bad odor from your mouth.

  8. Anonymous9:03 AM

    If bad breath persists, check with your dentist. Bad breath might be a warning sign of other health problems.
    If you wear removable dentures, take them out at night, and clean them before you put them on again in the morning.
    Tobacco users often suffer from bad breath and other mouth-related problems.
    If symptoms persist or if you have specific medical conditions or concerns, we recommend you contact a physician. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

  9. Somanath6:44 PM

    Good info and I would like to add another tip...chronic halitosis could be an indication of systemic health problem. Thanks for sharing!

  10. Sarala9:26 AM

    Here are some quick tips. eat a sprig of parsley. The chlorophyll is what helps.
    Mix honey and cinnamon together. Slowly allow a teaspoon of that to 'melt in your mouth'.
    Chewing on mint leaves helps.
    Get enough sleep.
    Drink enough water

  11. Anonymous4:19 PM

    * Brush teeth after every meal and before bedtime
    How to Get Rid of Bad Breath Naturally
    Avoid alcohol and tobacco products
    Gargle with natural peppermint flavored mouth wash
    Keep a clean and sterilized toothbrush
    Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to prevent dry-mouth
    Maintain normal levels of Candida with an Herbal Candida Remedy
    Clear sinus infections to help prevent bad breath

  12. unknown10:41 AM

    brushing your teeth alone isn't enough you need to scrub your tongue really well. you can use your toothbrush with toothpaste or you could use a tongue scrapper. also don't forget to floss. hope this helps.

  13. Anonymous9:17 AM

    First of all, you need to brush often and brush your gum tissue whenever you brush your teeth. Secondly, you need to use dental floss every single day. Thirdly, the tongue is a huge collector of bacteria and food debris and should be scraped with a tongue scraper every time you brush. You can also brush the inside of your cheeks and the roof of your mouth. Lastly, rinse twice a day with Listerene. Use it full strength and rinse for at least one minute. Before you spit it out, tip your head back and gargle for 20-30 seconds.

    Another cause of bad breath is sinus drainage.

  14. Anonymous8:41 AM

    1-rinse your mouth with a good mouthwash before you brush.
    It kills the bad bacteria then brushing it into the gums kills more.
    2-buy an oral B Braun power brush for $20. Over lap half on gums half on tooth. Brush upper teeth separate fromlower, Brush inside teeth and outside teeth AT the gum line, where they meet. Move the brush slowly! Let it do the work!
    If you can't get a power brush then use a very soft brush-place @ gumline at a 45degree angle. Roll the brush the way the teeth grow-upper teeth angle into gums and roll down (they grow down right?) Lower teeth angle into gums and roll up (the lower teeth grow up). Take 1 min on top teeth and 1 min on lower.
    3-ask mum for a water pik

  15. unknown9:41 AM

    Dental problems. Unhealthy dental hygiene and
    periodontal disease can be a source of bad breath. If you don’t
    brush and floss daily, food particles remain in your mouth, collect
    bacteria and emit hydrogen sulfide vapors. Plus, a form of bacteria
    called (plaque) accumulates on your teeth. If not brushed away,
    plaque can irritate your gums (gingivitis) and cause tooth decay.
    Eventually, plaque-filled pockets can form between your teeth and
    gums (periodontitis), making the problem and your breath worse.
    Dentures that aren’t cleaned properly or don’t fit can also harbor
    odor-causing bacteria and food particles.

  16. Anonymous9:52 AM

    Food. The breakdown of food
    particles in and around your teeth can cause a foul odor. Eating
    foods containing volatile oils is another source of bad breath.
    Onions and garlic are the best-known examples, but other vegetables
    and spices also can cause bad breath. After these foods are digested
    and the pungent oils are absorbed into your bloodstream, they’re
    carried to your lungs and are given off in your breath until the
    food is eliminated from your body. Onions and garlic can cause bad
    breath for as long as 72 hours after you’ve eaten them.

  17. Anonymous8:28 AM

    Scrape your tongue and remove the white stuff off, that can cause bad breath and you need to floss too, because when you don't that can do it along with it. You dont brush the roof of your mouth unless you have a appliance there. Cavities can add to bad breath too. So go to the dentist and get your teeth check out as well. If nothing else help then go see a doctor it can be internal too. But differently brush and floss and scrape your tongue remove the white stuff off brush it off or use a scrapper especially for the tongue.

  18. By maintaining proper dental hygiene this will prevent you from having bad breath, proper dental hygiene means brushing and flossing your teeth regularly. And avoiding foods or beverages that triggers bad breath like onions, garlics and coffee and smoking may help a lot. Using dental treatment products will also prevent halitosis from occurring.

  19. Bhavana6:07 PM

    Chew some sugar free gum. (:.

  20. Anonymous7:51 PM

    "Halitosis" like cancer is a problem that only the person who has it can understand. Not even a doctor can today pinpoint the cause of it. My friend has had it for many years, has seen a million and one doctors, who at first thought it was due to poor dental hygiene. But weren't they wrong.No doctor has been able to treat or cure and not even a dentist. It's just beyond human.My friend has just resorted to trying all sort of remedies but without success.



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