Bad Breath or Halitosis is a condition in which a person tends to exhale fouls smelling breath from the mouth. Unfortunately, people who suffer from this disease are completely unaware of their problem and the discomfort they cause to others.
If you have experienced the following
and Your bad breath is interfering with your social or professional success.
and You frequently have a bad taste in your mouth.
and People step back from you when you are talking to them, or they avoid direct contact with you.
and Somebody has commented on your bad breath, or offered you mints or chewing gum.
Find out the causes of Halitosis:
and ENT Causes
Throat infection-
Chronic Pharyngitis and or Tonsillitis, Tonsilolith-Tonsil Stone
Chronic sinusitis and post-nasal drip,
Chronic bronchitis,
and Teeth and Gum Infection
and GIT Disorders
Most cases of bad breath, however, are caused by gastro-intestinal disorders, intestinal sluggishness and particularly by chronic constipation. The unpleasant odor results from an exceptionally large amount of waste matter expelled through the lungs.
and Diet
When a person does not brush or floss their teeth thoroughly, food particles may remain in the mouth. These particles may rot and cause foul odors. In addition, food particles over time can promote the growth of bacteria, which can also cause foul odors. The bacteria can also lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
Foods are absorbed into the bloodstream and then transferred to the lungs, causing noticeable odors when exhaled. These foods may also cause gastrointestinal upset and belching, which can contribute to bad breath. Low carbohydrate diets may also cause what is known as ‘ketone- fruity breath.
and Dry Mouth
Bad breath can also be caused by decreased flow of saliva, which is a vital part of the digestive process and removes odor-causing particles in the mouth. Also called xerostomia, dry mouth may be caused by medications, breathing through the mouth, or salivary gland problems.
and Tobacco Products
In addition to causing bad breath, smoking or chewing tobacco-based products can stain teeth, irritate gum tissue, and exacerbate tooth decay.
and Medical Disorders
Certain medical disorders may cause bad breath: Diabetes, Anemia, Gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD), and Liver or kidney disease,
and Dentures or Dental Appliances
Dentures or dental appliances, such as braces, can contribute to bad breath. Most often it is due to food particles that are not properly cleansed from the appliances. Loose-fitting dentures can contribute to sores and localized infections in the mouth, which can cause bad breath.
and Morning bad breath
Overnight, bacteria accumulate in the mouth, causing bad breath that is commonly referred to as ‘morning breath.’ Some people breathe through their mouth at night, which can cause dry mouth and worsen morning breath.
Bad Breath- Treatment
Self-help at Home
and Practice good oral hygiene to include: brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, brush the teeth after meals, brush the tongue, replace your toothbrush every two to three months, use dental floss regularly, dentures should be removed at night and cleaned thoroughly before being placed in your mouth, and
and Stop smoking/chewing tobacco-based products
and Keep your mouth moist by: drinking water, and chewing sugarless gum or hard candy to stimulate the production of saliva.
and Mouthwash provides a temporary way to mask bad breath odors, but it may not treat the underlying cause.
and Natural bad breath remedies include chewing on mint or parsley.
Medical Treatment
and Specific medical treatment to cure bad breath depends upon the cause.
and In patients who suffer from dry mouth (xerostomia), artificial saliva may be prescribed by a dentist.
and Dentists can also prescribe special toothpaste and mouthwash that can improve the symptoms.
and If the patient’s dentist determines that the bad breath odor is not of oral origin, the patient may be referred to a physician.
and If the odor is due to gum disease, the dentist may refer the patient to a periodontist, who specializes in treating gum conditions.
and ENT Treatment-Treat the sinusitis, Pharyngitis etc
and Medical Treatment-Treat the causes.
