Halitosis ( bad breath) everything you need to know about halitosis ( bad breath)

have you ever step into your work place looking forward for a great day in the workplace and then you discorvered that your colleague’s are giving you space and don’t want to come close to you and when they mistakenly comes close, they tends to frown and move away as soon as possible?..….you were ■■■■■■ with the situation and wanted to know why and then your boss told you to take a break and get a breath-mint…and oops you it done on you that you’ve got bad breath…

What is halitosis ( bad breath)

Bad breath ( medically called halitosis) is a foul odor coming from one’s mouth. Lots of times it can result from poor dental health habits and may be a sign of other health problems. Bad breath can also be made worse by the types of foods one eats and other unhealthy lifestyle habits.
Bad breath most often starts in the mouth. Poor ■■■■ hygiene allows food particles to accumulate on the surface of the tongue, between the teeth, or along the gums ( gingival tissue) that surrounds the teeth. Naturally occurring bacteria in the mouth then break down those food particles, releasing chemicals that have a strong odour.

Summary
Halitosis or bad breath of a foul odour coming from the mouth…it is usually a result of poor dental hygiene, a specific diet or an indication of other health problems.

Causes of bad breath

  1. dry mouth

  2. post nasal drip

  3. A diet high in protein ( dairy foods, red meat, beans, Atkins diet etc and even sometimes the keto (What is Keto Diet?) diet.)

  4. smoking

  5. alcohol ( in adult beverages or in some old fashioned mouth washes)

  6. excessive use of old fashioned ■■■■ products containing alcohol and sodium laurylsulphate.

  7. medications which have dry mouth side effects such as anti-cholinegics such as Atropine.

  8. hormonal changes.

  9. History of diabetes special food diet such as Atkins diet.

*Summary

Poor dental hygiene is the main cause of bad breath… however bad breath can also be as result of other factors as mentioned above*

Symptoms of bad breath

  1. unpleasant smell coming from the mouth.
  2. unpleasant or sour taste or changes in taste.
  3. dry mouth, and a coating on the tongue.

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Risk factors

  1. saliva helps wash food particles from the mouth; thus people with a dry mouth are at an increased risk of experiencing bad breath. Some medications, mouth breathing and smoking all can contribute to dry mouth.

  2. infections in the mouth such as dental caries ( tooth decay), periodontal ( gum) disease or mouth sores related to other conditions may contribute to bad breath.

  3. the bacteria film called plaque that occurs naturally in the mouth can build up if not removed regularly through good ■■■■ hygiene practices. The bacteria in plaque gives off a foul odour that can results bad breath.

  4. foods such as garlic, onions, Atkins diet and even ketogenic diet can cause bad breath.

  5. bad breath can be a by product of certain health conditions.
    It may results from infection in the nose, throat or lungs, chronic sinusitis, post nasal drip, chronic bronchitis (12 Natural remedies for cough), or disturbances in the digestive system.

  6. almost all causes of bad breath and taste disorders involves a group of anaerobic (https://howtodiscuss.com/t/anaerobic/11566) sulphur producing bacteria that live below the surface of the tongue, in the throat, often in the tonsils and between the teeth.

Summary effective prevention of bad breath involves good dental hygiene practices and avoiding the above mentioned risk factors.

Treatments

To reduce bad breath, avoid cavities and Lower your risk of gum disease by practicing good ■■■■ hygiene.
Treatment for bad breath can vary depending on the cause. If your bad breath is as a result of an underlying health condition, then effective treatment will start with treating that underlying health condition.

Common treatments for bad breath includes;

*Mouth rinses and toothpastes; *if the bad breath is as a result of build up of bacteria ( plaque) on the teeth, then mouth rinses that kills the bacteria is indicated. Mouth rinses containing cetylpridinium chloride and those containing chlorhexidine can prevent production of odours that causes bad breath.
A toothpaste that contains antibacterial agents can kill the bacteria that causes the plaque build up thus eradicating the mouth odour.

Treatment of dental diseases; Gum diseases can cause the gum to pull away from the teeth, leaving deep pockets that accumulates odour- causing bacteria. Sometimes these bacteria can be removed only by professional cleaning.

Summary
Practicing good ■■■■ hygiene and treatment an underlying cause of bad breath ( if there is any) is the best way to eradicate bad breath.

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Preventative measures

  1. brush your teeth after you eat; brush using a fluoride- containing toothpaste at least twice a day, especially after meals. Toothpaste with antibacterial properties has been shown to reduce bad breath.

  2. floss at least once daily: Proper flossing removes food particles and plaque from between teeth, helping to control bad breath.

  3. Brush your tongue; Your tongue harbours bacteria, so carefully brushing it may help reduce odours. People who have a coated tongue from a significant overgrowth of bacteria (https://howtodiscuss.com/t/bacteria/12804) ( from smoking or dry mouth) may benefit from using a tongue scraper, or use a toothpaste that has a built-in tongue cleaner.

  4. Avoid dry mouth ; To keep your mouth moist, avoid tobacco (https://howtodiscuss.com/t/pipe/22783) and drink plenty of water… not coffee, soft drinks or alcohol (https://howtodiscuss.com/t/blood-alcohol-concentration-bac/9426), which can lead to a drier mouth. Chew gum or suck on candy… preferably sugarless…to stimulates saliva production.

  5. Avoid foods and beverages that can cause bad breath. Avoid sticty sugary foods (How to Lower Blood Pressure?).

  6. change your toothbrush about every 3-4 months, and choose a soft- bristtled toothbrush.

  7. Visit your dentist (https://howtodiscuss.com/t/how-to-get-dental-insurance/21772) regularly, preferably twice a year.

Summary
Prevention of bad breath is better than curing it…so practice good ■■■■ hygiene and let your breath stay fresh
.

Frequently asked questions

Is bad breath genetic ?
Bad breath is not genetic…it usually results from poor ■■■■ hygiene and sometimes from an underlying health conditions.

I have dental plaques, I’ve tried removing them severally but it’s not working… what do I do ?
Some dental plaques can only be removed medically, so talk to a dentist and start practicing good ■■■■ and dental hygiene and if you’re smoking…you should as well quilt smoking.

Conclusion

Halitosis or bad breath is characterized by foul odour coming from one’s mouth.
It is usually a result of poor dental health habits. However it can also be an indicator of other health problems, as result of certain diets, or as a result of other unhealthy lifestyle habits.
Lots of times bad breath is as a result of microbes breaking down fragments of food in the mouth.
The common causes of bad breath are poor dental hygiene , dry mouth, Post nasal drip, smoking, alcohol, certain diets etc.
Mouth infections, dental carries, plaque in the mouth, and diets such as garlic and Atkins diet are common risk factors.

Effective treatment for halitosis involves good ■■■■ hygiene practices such as brushing morning and evening using toothpastes that contains floride, and mouth washes, flossing at least once daily and avoiding dry mouth.

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