HealthyCanada.com

Only a doctor or dentist would tell you that you have halitosis. Your best friend would simply say you have really bad breath. Halitosis is a distinctive unpleasant odor on your breath. It is very common and depending on the cause easily treatable.

Breath odor is normally kept under control by saliva which helps wash away food particles and bacteria the primary cause of bad breath. When you sleep however your salivary glands slow down the production of saliva allowing the bacteria to grow inside the mouth.

In most cases halitosis is caused by bacteria from the decay of food particles other debris in your mouth and poor oral hygiene. The decay and debris produce a sulfur compound that causes the unpleasant odor.

Bad breath also may occur in people who have an infection gum disease diabetes kidney failure or a liver malfunction. Dry mouth and smoking tobacco also contribute to this problem. Even stress dieting snoring age and hormonal changes can have an effect on your breath. An odor that comes from the back of your tongue may indicate post-nasal drip. This is where the mucus secretion which comes from the nose and moves down your throat gets stuck on the tongue and causes an odor.

People who eat garlic and onions·especially raw ones·will almost certainly have bad breath. Garlic and onions along with other vegetables and spices contain odor-causing compounds that enter your bloodstream after you eat them and remain on your breath for up to 72 hours. They are then transferred to your lungs and eventually exhaled. Studies even have shown that garlic rubbed on the soles of the feet can show up on the breath!

Proper brushing and flossing is essential in the battle against bad breath. When you don't properly brush or floss your teeth after each meal food can get stuck between your teeth and around your gums. These food particles remain in your mouth and start to decay causing bacteria to build. After a while a clear sticky film called plaque forms on your teeth. This can lead to periodontitis·which can make your breath even worse. Before you use mouth rinses deodorizing sprays or tablets talk with your dentist because these products only mask the odor temporarily and some products work better than others.

New research shows that using low concentrations of carbamide peroxide an odorless ingredient used to bleach and disinfect teeth can effectively treat chronic bad breath. Patients seeking this treatment need to first visit their dentist to have customized trays or mouth guards made to fit tightly around their teeth. A low concentration of carbamide peroxide is then placed in the tray and into the patient's mouth where it remains for an hour. After the first treatment patients are able to repeat this process at home for an hour everyday. After approximately three treatments the patient will notice a significant change in their breath.

Here are some tips to help improve or prevent bad breath:

Brush your tongue. Your tongue needs to be brushed just as much as your teeth. Brushing your tongue·especially towards the back helps remove dead cells bacteria and food debris.

Brush your teeth after each meal and floss at least once a day. Keep a toothbrush and dental floss at work to remove food particles in your mouth after lunch.

Keep your dentures clean. Even if you wear just a bridge or partial denture make sure you clean it thoroughly at least once a day.

Stay hydrated. Drinking enough water throughout the days helps keep your mouth moist. Coffee pop and alcohol don't count. You can also stimulate saliva production by chewing gum or sucking on candy (preferably sugarless). If you still find that your mouth seems dry consult your dentist or physician.

Use a relatively new toothbrush. You should change your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months. The older your toothbrush the less effective it is in cleaning food particles and bacteria from your mouth.

Prevent hunger. Eating regular meals can help keep your breath smelling fresh. Just be sure that you stay away from those onions and that garlic! Chewing parsley or wintergreen leaves can stimulate saliva flow and reduce mouth odor.

See your dentist regularly. You should have your teeth or dentures examined and cleaned at least twice a year.