Bad Breath

What is bad breath?
Bad breath are terms used to describe noticeably unpleasant odors exhaled in breathing.

Causes:

• Infrequent brushing and flossing, which allows bits of food to decay inside the mouth.
• Periodontal (gum) disease.
• Throat, sinus or lung infections.
• Garlic, onions, coffee, cigarette smoking, chewing tobacco.
• Caused by salivary gland problems, medicines or "mouth breathing"
• Diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, lung disease, sinus disease, reflux disease and others
• Some people may believe they have bad breath, but others do not notice it. This is referred to as "pseudohalitosis"

Treatments / Preventions:

• By visiting your dentist - For a regular checkups and cleanings. This is the best way to make sure that you are maintaining good oral hygiene.
• Brushing twice a day - To remove plaque
• Flossing regularly - Food and bacteria trapped between teeth and at the gum line can only be removed with floss.
• Clean your tongue - Brush and scrap your tongue daily. Bacteria left on your tongue can contribute to less-than-fresh breath.
• Wet your wistle - A dry mouth can quickly cause bad breath. Sali­va helps clean your mouth; it has a natural antibacterial action, and it washes away food particles. That awful morning breath is the result of reduced saliva flow at night.
• "Dry mouth" - If you suffer from dry mouth, talk to your dentist about recommending an over the counter saliva substitute and be sure to drink plenty of water.
• Rinse - Use an anti microbial mouth rinse such as Listerine, Oral-B, or Colgate. Keep in mind that if a dental problem is the cause of chronic bad breath, a mouth rinse will only mask the odor and not cure it. If nothing else, at least rinse your mouth with plain water after eating. Swishing the water around may help to remove some of the food particles left in the mouth after a meal and prevent bad breath from setting in.
• By avoiding tobacco - Do not smoke or use other tobacco products. Tobacco tends to dry out your mouth and can leave an unpleasant smell.
• Munch on Parsley - Munching on parsley or spearmint won't cure bad breath, but the scent of the herb itself can help to cover up offending oral odor temporarily.
• Eat to smell sweet - Foods that help fight plaque may also help fight bad breath. Opt for celery, carrots, peanuts or a bit of low-fat cheese if you want something to snack on.