Bad Breath (halitosis)

Overview:

Bad breath, also known as halitosis is a common problem with many causes. Almost all of us suffer from bad breath from time to time, and it is most often caused by bacteria in the mouth.

Bad breath has many other causes too, including underlying dental or medical problems. Below are some causes of bad breath.

Bad breath causes?

There are many possible causes of bad breath, some of which include;

Transient (ie; temporary):

• Food (such as garlic, onion, coffee etc)

• Alcohol

• Smoking

• Poor dental hygene (not cleaning properly)

Medical or dental:

• Stomatitis

• Gingivitis

• Tooth decay

• Tooth abscess

• Sinus infections

• Tonsillitis

• Lung infections

Systemic diseases:

• Diabetes

• Kidney disease

• Liver disease

• Cancers of the mouth

• Gastrointestinal problems

Other:

• Dry mouth (xerostomia)

• Dehydration

• Certain medications

Bad breath remedies & cures:

If you have bad breath, you should seek advice from your dentist who may also advise you to see a doctor. If the cause is medical or dental, appropriate treatment will be required.

• If no underlying dental or medical problems are found, the cause is likely poor dental hygene or certain foods (garlic etc). Good dental hygiene is an absolute must. Teeth should be cleaned a minimum of two minutes, twice a day. Inter dental brushes (see below) are extremely effective for removing food debris & plaque between the teeth, I find them especially useful to use for the back teeth. Used in conjunction with dental floss, you are removing plaque & food particles from hard to reach places your brush can't get to.

• When brushing, make sure you pay attention to your tongue. A lot of food debris & bacteria can build up here, causing bad breath. Many toothbrushes come with a tongue cleaner on the back of the brush, if your brush doesn't have this, you can purchase tongue cleaners from your chemist.

• Obviously, avoiding or limiting foods such as garlic & onion can also help with bad breath.

• Stay dehydrated by drinking plenty of water can help you avoid a dry mouth, which can cause bad breath.