Health & Medical Dental & Oral

Bad Breath - Absolutely Everything You Need to Know

Despite the fact that millions of people may be suffering from some degree of breath odor problem, it is something which a majority of the population feel awkward discussing.
Most people are too embarrassed to even see their doctor or dentist about it.
Thankfully, there is plenty of information available freely on the internet about the causes of bad breath and tips to help overcome it.
A lot of people will be able to eradicate the problem without medical help.
If you suspect you have a breath odor problem, you probably will not feel comfortable asking a friend or family member to confirm it.
But there are things you can do yourself which give a fairly accurate indication of whether you do indeed have halitosis.
Try licking your wrist, counting to five and then sniffing the area.
If it smells very bad it is likely you have a breath problem.
You can also try using a clean, plastic spoon to lightly scrape the surface of your tongue.
This is likely to be how your breath odor smells to those around you, and is a more accurate test than the wrist test.
Both tests are better done during the day rather than first thing in the morning, as fleeting morning breath affects everyone.
By far the most common cause of bad breath is oral issues, such as a build up of plaque on the teeth or gum problems such as gingivitis or periodontal problems.
You should visit your dentist every 6 to 12 months as he will be able to diagnose any oral problems and help you overcome them.
Bad breath is sometimes symptomatic of a health condition.
This might be something such as sinusitis or a post nasal drip, but in a minority of people there might be a much more serious cause like liver or kidney disease.
Therefore, if you have tried to cure your halitosis but still have severe breath odor then it is important to overcome your embarrassment and speak to your doctor.
Most halitosis sufferers can cure it with good oral hygiene.
Brush at least twice a day using a soft bristled tooth brush, for between 2 to 3 minutes.
Regular flossing is even more essential than brushing as it will remove food from the area below the gum line that your tooth brush cannot reach.
Mouth wash is not essential if you are cleaning your teeth correctly, but can help remove any remaining tartar and plaque.
To really eradicate unpleasant breath odor, invest in a tongue scraper to remove bacteria from the surface of the tongue.
A dry mouth can make a halitosis problem much worse so stay hydrated.
This must be water as sugary drinks can trigger oral problems and coffee, alcohol and dairy can increase levels of volatile sulphur compounds and worsen breath odor.
For a natural way to freshen your breath, eat parsley, raw carrot or an apple rather than relying on mints and chewing gum.


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