Problem of halitosis

The problem of bad breath has been a source of embarrassment for centuries now. It has been found that the problem of bad breath is no recent phenomenon and has been in existence for over 3000 years. People back then neither knew the causes of bad breath, nor did they have the various hygienic products that are available today.

However, even in those times, people tried to eliminate the problem of bad breath by using a mouthwash, made out of wine and various herbs.

Halitosis can be described as the presence of extreme mouth odor, or bad breath in a person. Several adults suffer from the problem of bad breath, on certain occasions; however, the problem of persistent unpleasant mouth odor can be of varying degrees and is observed in almost 25% of the adults, on a regular basis.

A case of constant bad breath in a person is known as chronic halitosis. The problem of chronic halitosis can have a major impact on an individual, personally, professionally, as well as socially. Therefore, it is quite likely for halitosis to lead to stress, low confidence and poor self esteem in a person. This is why most people constantly look for options to get rid of bad breath. Therefore, there are several mouth fresheners, mouth sprays and other similar products that are easily available in most stores today, which claim to eliminate the problem of bad breath. However, these remedies should only be used as a “quick fix”, since they usually reduce bad breath for a few minutes or hours. In the long run, to get rid of this problem, it is important to understand its underlying causes and then opt for the appropriate halitosis treatment options.

Halitosis Causes

You may notice that the problem of bad breath is at it worst, when you first wake up in the morning. This is because there is a lack of oxygen and activity in the mouth, when you sleep and therefore, mouth odor usually worsens, when you awake. However, the problem of “morning breath” should disappear, when you brush and floss your teeth or rinse your mouth with a specialized mouthwash. Halitosis causes mostly originate from the mouth and the severity of the bad breath differs throughout the day. Eating certain foods like garlic, onions, spices, meat, cheese or fish, could intensify the bad breath problem. Unhealthy habits like smoking and consuming alcohol are also common halitosis causes. Given below are some of the other common halitosis causes:

Gum diseases: There are certain periodontal diseases that are believed to cause bad breath problems. When bacteria grow below the gum line, they could emit a foul smell in the mouth.

Tooth decay: This problem is usually a direct result of poor dental hygiene and therefore, it is quite likely to cause mouth odor. This is because the food that remains in the mouth especially in tooth cavities, begin to decay and the bacteria produce a compound of sulfur that causes severe bad breath.

Remnant food: When you chew your food, it is quite unlikely that you swallow all of it. Several particles of food get lodged between your teeth and stay there, till your gargle or brush your teeth. If these food particles stay in your mouth for a long time, they can cause foul odor.

Mouth dryness: The presence of saliva in the mouth is very important for removing the odor-causing food particles from the mouth. In case the production of saliva decreases for any reason, it often leads to bad breath. The use of certain medication can cause a problem with salivary glands, which would lead to chronic mouth dryness.

Tobacco: Tobacco products dry the mouth and cause several periodontal diseases that lead to unpleasant mouth odor.

Halitosis symptoms

Halitosis symptoms are varied and are mainly dependent on the cause of the condition. It is very difficult for you to tell whether or not you are suffering from bad breath. On one hand, several people worry excessively about mouth odor problems, even when they do not have any and on the other, people who actually suffer from halitosis are not even aware that they have bad breath. Some people simply ask a close friend or companion if their breath is alright, but this may not work for everyone. Some people assume they have bad breath, due to a foul taste in the mouth (metallic, sour and so on). However, bad taste in the mouth is not a reliable indicator of bad breath. Therefore, it is best to consult a dentist, for an in-depth diagnosis for halitosis.

Halitosis treatment

One of the most effective ways of treating bad breath is by consulting a dentist. Before a dental check up, it is a common tendency to make an attempt at masking the odor, by brushing excessively or using a mouthwash. However, this will interfere with a proper diagnosis and therefore should be avoided. After a check up to determine the halitosis causes, the dentist may suggest some halitosis treatment options. However, if the cause for halitosis is not related to the mouth, then it will not be identified by the dentist. In such a case, it may be best to visit clinics that specialize in breath related problems.

Fortunately, there are many steps you can follow at home, to prevent or even reduce the problem of mouth odor. Given below are some of the steps that you can easily follow:

Drink a lot fluid, especially water. Avoid drinking caffeine, alcohol or other beverages that are high in sugar.

Make sure that you brush your teeth at least twice a day, that is, in the morning when you get up and in the night, before you go to bed.

If you cannot brush your teeth after meals, make it a point to gargle with warm water and salt, followed by a mouthwash.

Rinse your mouth every time you eat meat, garlic fish or any dairy products.

Stimulate the salivary glands in your mouth by chewing on some sugar-free chewing gum.

Use a proper tongue cleaner to clean the tongue thoroughly, right till the back.

The lack of an unhealthy diet could also be a cause for halitosis. Therefore you should make sure that your diet includes a lot of water, fresh fruits and vegetables. Visiting a dentist once every few months is a good practice and should be followed, even if you do not have any grave dental problems.