Bad breath is a medical condition known as halitosis. Bad breath is a problem that has been shared by millions of people across the world causing an unpleasant condition with embarrassment. There has been recent effective scientific approach to diagnosing and treating bad breath or chronic halitosis conditions.
From time to time, especially in the morning, everybody has bad breath. Bad breath could be because of hunger, when you are dieting, after eating certain foods with strong odor or because of bad teeth.
The main reason of bad breath is because of decreased saliva which has a cleaning action to reduce bad breath. In the mornings, the decreased saliva gives way for the bacteria to grow and hence causes bad breath.
When we eat, we chew food that gives good saliva in the mouth, but if you are not eating or are dieting, the saliva also decreases in the mouth which causes bad breath. Drinking alcoholic beverages or taking certain medicines also cause bad breath.
Eating strong odor foods, smoking, food caught up between the teeth, mouth and throat problems, dental cavities, bad gums, etc all contribute in acquiring this mouth problem.
To avoid bad breath, there are certain things we need to remember.
- Gargle water after eating anything.
- Brush teeth at least twice a day, in the morning and before sleeping.
- Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, and foods that are also low in fat.
- Eat at regular intervals and do not skip meals or diet irregularly.
- Clean the dentures or braces at least once a day or as directed by the physician.
- Regular dental checkups.
Sometimes bad breath can also be a symptom of medical disorders. These medical disorders can be chronic sinusitis, local infection in the respiratory tract, postnasal drip, diabetes, chronic bronchitis, liver or kidney ailment, and gastrointestinal disturbance.
Good oral health is very essential in eliminating bad breath. Regular cleaning and dental check up; brushing with fluoride toothpaste to remove debris and plaque; and using floss or an interdental cleaner once a day will all help in getting away with bad breath.
If bad breath is disturbing your social life and happiness, seek the help of a doctor or a dentist who will let you understand that bad breath is just caused by the breakdown of proteins by some oral bacteria and bad breath is not contagious. Prevent bad breath by practicing oral hygiene of mouth with regular cleaning, brushing and flossing.
