Bad Breath? Cure It !
Halitosis (Bad Breath): The Causes and Treatment Options
Halitosis, also called bad breath, is as an offensive odor that emanates from the oral cavity. Also known as foetor oris, oral malodour, or simply bad breath, halitosis is a serious problem. As a
chronic problem, it affects people's lives, their businesses, and their social activities. In rare cases, bad breath can be a sign of a serious general health problem, so it should not be ignored. One
unfortunate facet of bad breath is that you can rarely smell it yourself. Sometimes, a person's bad breath can blow you away and he or she may not realize there's a problem. Over 65 percents of
Americans strongly believe they can smell their own bad breath, but this is a common misconception. It is almost impossible to smell your own bad breath. If you want to get rid of bad breath,
find the cause instead of just masking the scent.
Here are a few methods to try that might reveal unpleasant breath odor:
• Pull your tongue forward with one hand, and with the other, wipe the back of your tongue for about 15 seconds with a clean cotton ball. Wait a few minutes and sniff the cotton ball; if it smells
bad, this could mean you have bad breath.
• Floss a few of your back teeth with a piece of unflavored, unwaxed dental floss. Again, wait a few minutes and then sniff the floss. It's likely that this is what your breath smells like.
• Do you frequently have a bad taste in your mouth? If you do, that's a clue that you might have bad breath.
• Ask for a truthful answer from a trusted friend or family member.
Yes, the truth can be embarassing, but knowledge is power! Now you can do something about it! Unfortunately, none of these methods are foolproof. A visit to the dentist is the only way to find
out definitively.
Microbiologists and scientists have found that bacteria make the main substance that causes bad breath. When the anaerobic (without oxygen) bacteria break down protein to digest they
release a sulfurous compound as the waste product. This compound is what gives bad breath its distinctive rotten-egg bad smell.
The most common cause of halitosis or bad breath is poor dental hygiene. However, other local and systemic conditions can also cause bad breath. Poor oral hygiene, cavities, gum diseases,
lung diseases, tongue infection, mouth ulcers and inflammation, sinus infection, diet routines, smoking, tobacco, reduced salivary glands and dry mouth are some examples of local disturbances
that can cause bad breath. Drug-induced side effects, the respiratory tract infection, lung infection, gastrointestinal illnesses, diabetics, hormonal disturbances, liver or kidney ailments can also
cause bad breath.
Although everyone gets bad breath sometimes, if you have bad breath a lot, you may need to visit your dentist. Whether or not your breath has an offensive odor, assessing the health of your
gums, testing saliva levels, and even measuring the levels of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) in your mouth with a device called a "halimeter" are some of the methods your dentist might use to
assess your breath.
After telling your dentist about your concern, your dentist or periodontist can help you to find out the cause of your bad breath. Usually, your dentist can treat the cause of bad breath. In some
other exceptional situations, the dentist can refer you to an appropriate medical specialist for evaluation and treatment.
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A young couple decided to wed. As the big day approached, they grew apprehensive. Each had a problem they had never before shared with anyone, not even each other.
The Groom-to-be, hoping to overcome his fear, decided to ask his father for advice. “Father,” he said, “I am deeply concerned about the success of my marriage.”
His father replied, “Do you love this girl?”
“Oh yes, very much,” he said,” but you see, I have very smelly feet, and I’m afraid that my fiancé will be put off by them.”
“No problem,” said dad, “all you have to do is wash your feet as often as possible, and always wear socks, even to bed.” Well, to him this seemed a workable solution.
The bride-to-be, overcoming her fear, decided to discuss her problem with her mom.” Mom,” she said, “When I wake up in the morning my breath is truly awful.”
“Honey,” her mother consoled, “everyone has bad breath in the morning.”
“No, you don’t understand. My morning breath is so bad, I’m afraid that my fiancé will not want to sleep in the same room with me.”
Her mother said simply, “In the morning, get straight out of bed, and head for the kitchen and make breakfast. While the family is busy eating, go to the bathroom and brush your teeth. The key is, not to say a word until you’ve brushed your teeth.”
“I shouldn’t say good morning or anything?” the daughter asked.
“Not a word,” her mother affirmed.
“Well, it’s certainly worth a try,” she thought.
The loving couple were finally married. Not forgetting the advice each had received, he with his perpetual socks and she with her morning silence, they managed quite well. That is, until about six months later. Shortly before dawn one morning, the husband wakes with a start to find that one of his socks had come off. Fearful of the consequences, he frantically searches the bed. This, of course, wakes his bride and without thinking, she asks, “What on earth are you doing?”
“Oh, my god,” he replies, “you’ve swallowed my sock!”