Bad breath (halitosis) is a common and universal problem that can lead to significant embarrassment.
The commonest causes of bad breath are poor oral hygiene and gum disease.
Plaque is a mixture of bacteria, food residues and dead cells that forms between the gum and the tooth. The bacteria here create the unpleasant smell. If plaque is not removed regularly it contributes to bleeding gums and eventually loosening of the teeth.
If you do not practice good oral hygiene you will experience bad breath. A coated furry tongue is often a sign of indigestion, smoking or dehydration, all of which can add to the problems of bad breath.
Breath only smells when certain aromatic chemicals are dissolved in it. These include methyl mercaptan, hydrogen sulphide and putrescine. Some of these may be absorbed from the bowel into the bloodstream and then circulated around the body until they are excreted via the lungs in the breath. Not a pleasant thought!
Many people find their breath smells bad on waking up in the morning. This is normal and happens because the mouth dries up overnight and the flow of saliva that washes away food particles slows down when we sleep. Having breakfast starts the flow of saliva again.
Strongly flavoured foods and alcohol can cause temporary bad breath. Avoid too many curries and dishes prepared with garlic and onions.
Smoking leaves the breath stale and reduces the flow of saliva thus compounding the problem. It also increases the risk of developing gum disease, which is yet another cause of bad breath.
Severe dieting can lead to an unpleasant "fruity" breath from ketoacidosis, the breakdown of chemicals during fasting.
Medical causes of bad breath are rare but they can occur e.g. throat infection, tonsillitis, and catarrh. Diabetes, liver disease, kidney problems and acid reflux can all be associated with the problem.
The easiest way to find out if you have bad breath is to ask a close friend, or family member, for their honest opinion - if they say you have bad breath you should visit your dentist. If you really don’t want to ask your best friend then lick the inner surface of your wrist, wait a few seconds and sniff the licked area.
Treatment for bad breath depends on what’s causing it but usually improving your oral hygiene (regular brushing and flossing) will help the problem.
Brush your teeth at least twice a day paying special attention to the gum margin. Floss or use an inter-dental brush to clean between the teeth and remove any trapped food. Your dentist may advise a mouthwash – make sure it is not acidic. Brush you tongue with a soft toothbrush to remove dead cells, bacteria and food debris
Other measures, which can help prevent bad breath, are eating a healthy, balanced diet, reducing alcohol intake and drinking plenty of water. Chew sugar-free gum, especially if your mouth feels dry. Giving up smoking will also help. Apart from keeping your breath fresh these measures will keep the teeth and gums healthy and help prevent periodontal disease.
Lin has several articles on oral hygiene and periodontal disease on her blog at:- http://therabreath-review.blogspot.com/