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Bad Breath



Bad breath, or halitosis affects nearly 65% of the population. Fortunately, in most cases it is transitory. Just thin about morning breath that goes away by simply brushing your teeth.

Do you have bad breath?

Many people consult their dentist because they think they have breath when they do not. Ironically, the majority of people suffering from bad breath do not know it. Or if they do, will not seek medical advice for the problem. So, it could be difficult to determine for ourselves if we have bad breath.

You can suspect that you have bad breath if

  1. you frequently have a bad taste in your mouth.
  2. People keep their distance when you talk to them
  3. Somebody mentions that you have bad breath
  4. Your gums are red, swollen and bleed easily. There might be pus
  5. People frequently offer you mints or chewing gum
  6. It frequently occurs that your mouth is dry and your saliva is viscous.

 

If  you have any doubt, do not hesitate to ask. If this is the case, people around you will appreciate that you take care of your health.



What cause bad breath

Most bad breath problems originate from the mouth Halitosis is caused by degrading of the bacterial plaque. Debris and food particles. This degradation generates smelly gases that get mixed up with the breath and give it this bad smell.
Many conditions predispose to bad breath:

  1. A deficient oral hygiene
  2. The presence of cavities or defective restorations
  3. An accumulation of food particles between the teeth
  4. An infection in the mouth such as cold sore.
  5. Smoking
  6. A decrease in the production of saliva or dysfunctional salvia
  7. Inflammation of the gums

Other reasons that might cause bad breath and that do not originate in the mouth are:

  1. Infections, especially in the lungs, throat or sinuses
  2. Uncontrolled diabetes can cause the formation of acetone when the utilization of proteins and fats as an energy source is not optimal
  3. Kidney failure can give the breath a fishy smell
  4. Liver disease
  5. Gastrointestinal disorders such as reflux
  6. Allergic or chronic rhinitis
  7. Fasting, for the same reason as for diabetes gives the breath as acetone odour

 

How can prevent and treat bad breath?

To restore or keep a fresh breath, you must take adequate dental hygiene measures;

  1. Brush your teeth  and your tongue after each meal
  2. Use dental floss at least once a day
  3. Have your cavities treated and your defective restorations fixed
  4. Quit smoking
  5. Visit your dentist at least once or twice a year.


Do you have a large tongue

The back of the tongue, especially at the rear, is a main source of bad breath. It is rough surface has many irregularities and holes that encourage accumulation of debris and bacteria. Where there is an allergic or chronic rhinitis, there could be post nasal mucus discharges that accumulate at the rear of the tongue. This mucus is rich in protein and is a fuel for the odour producing bacteria living in the lawn of the tongue. Using a tongue scraper or a toothbrush helps eliminate accumulated debris.

Do you like Garlic?

Some food such as onions, garlic cauliflower and coffee, may cause temporary and breath. Garlic and Onion cause bad breath in a particular manner After eating them, these foods are quickly absorbed into the blood, and part of the smell released by the mouth comes from the air exhaled by the lungs. As for the others, you can finish your meal by eating fresh parsley, crunching coffee beans or sucking on a clove. Without eliminating the bad smell on your breath, this may reduce it

Does your breath wake you up in the morning?

Morning breath is a reality for many people normally, it goes away after a while.
During the night, the mouth produces less saliva. Thus, bacteria and debris may produce more odour. Generally, rinsing your mouth with water, talking, drinking orange juice ot having breakfast activates your salivary glands therby reducing morning breath.

To reduce morning breath:

  1. Brush and floss your teeth before going to bed. This way, you will reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth
  2. If you wear false teeth, remove it for the night. Clean and disinfect them regularly. Brush your palate, the inside of cheeks and tongue daily
  3. Drink a glass of water before going to bed to reduce dryness in the mouth
  4. After breakfast, floss and brush your teeth and your tongue.
  5. You can use mouthwash like Listerine but this must not replace dental floss or tooth-brush