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We Know: All About Bad Breath
What is bad breath?
Bad breath, when chronic is known as halitosis in the medical field, as it is a medical condition. Bad breath can be temporary or a condition that must be treated. It is most often noticeable after waking in the morning and after eating a meal that contains pungent foods such as garlic or onions.
What causes bad breath?
Bad breath can be caused by a host of reasons. Typically, the condition comes and goes and can be caused by hunger, poor oral care, consumption of foods containing garlic or onions and dry mouth. However, some people have halitosis, which is an actual medical condition wherein bad breath is a chronic problem that must be treated by a healthcare provider.
another cause of halitosis can be acid
reflux disease. If good dental hygeine is being practiced, you still have bad
breath, and have
frequent heartburn, acid reflux can be the cause.
How can bad breath be treated?
Bad breath can be treated in a number of ways including:
- Water: The easiest of all of the treatments and one of the most effective is to drink plenty of water. Not getting the recommended 8-8 ounce glasses a day can lead to dry mouth.
- Brush and Floss: Another way to treat bad breath is to maintain proper oral hygiene by brushing and flossing twice a day everyday. This helps remove food particles and bacteria from the mouth that can lead to an offensive odor.
- Use Mouthwash: A part of your daily oral hygiene routine should involve rinsing and gargling with mouthwash that contains chlorine dioxide. This kills bacteria and keeps your mouth fresh.
- Tongue Scrap: The use of a tongue scraper is essential to removing bacteria
from the mouth. When using the tongue scraper, try to go back as far as you can
and remove the white substance from the tongue-this is what causes bad breath.
- Don't forget the professionals: Seeing a dentist regularly can help dramatically improve bad breath. If you have halitosis, your dentist may be able to recommend other treatment options. Likewise, a professional cleaning every six months is a great way to ensure your mouth stays fresh and bacteria free. Keeping your teeth healthy and preventing cavities and the like can help limit oral odor as well.
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