HALITOSIS: HOW TO GET RID OF MOUTH ODOUR

Overview

Halitosis, (Latin for ‘bad breath’), can be a struggle, and most times it causes anxiety which leads to low self-esteem. Almost everyone experiences bad breath once in a while, it can be associated with the kinds of food we eat such as garlic, beverages (coffee or alcoholic drinks), groundnut and so on, but these are temporary cases.

Mouth odour is estimated to affect 1 in 4 people worldwide, the most common cause is bad oral hygiene.

Some people might not be aware of their halitosis, the one way to check, is to lick your wrist, leave it to dry, and then smell it. A bad smell around that area suggests that you have halitosis. You should rinse that off immediately!

Causes

Halitosis is the third most common dental problem, after tooth decay and gum diseases.

Major causes of Bad Breath include:

Food: Particles of food stuck in between the teeth and tongue are broken down by bacteria, producing sulphur, thereby causing bad breath. Foods such as onion and garlic, when digested, their breakdown products are carried via the blood to the lungs, promoting bad breath.

Tobacco: Tobacco and its products increase the chance of gum diseases which causes bad breath.

Oral hygiene: Teeth and dentures (artificial teeth) that are not regularly cleaned and flossed can harbour bacteria, which irritate the gum and cause inflammation between the teeth and gum. This inflammation is called Periodontitis.

Diseases: Certain diseases such as cancer, organ failure (such as liver or kidney) can cause halitosis. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) can cause bad breath, due to continuous stomach acid reflux. Xerostomia is another disease that contributes to halitosis, it dries the mouth, preventing the production of saliva, which naturally cleans the mouth.

Drugs: Some medications can reduce saliva, therefore, increase odour, while other drugs can produce odour as they breakdown and release certain chemicals in the breath. Examples are antihistamine, sedatives, diuretics, nitrates used to treat angina. Consuming large doses of vitamin supplement can also cause bad breath.

How to Get Rid of Bad Breath

Here are some helpful tips to get rid of bad breath:

•Brush your teeth at least twice a day, after meals, with toothpaste containing fluorine. Remember to always floss afterwards to remove every hidden particle.

•Gently brush your tongue with your toothbrush to get rid of smelly bacteria that can reside there.

•Gargle with an alcohol-free mouthwash before going to bed.

If you have a dry mouth, ensure to drink enough fluid during the day, use

a moisturising agent such as dry mouth moisturising gel or dry mouth spray.

•Avoid smoking and chewing tobacco-based products.

Conclusion

Halitosis can be eradicated; all you have to do is follow the tips above.

If your bad breath continues after following these tips, make an appointment with your doctor. They’ll check to see other likely medical conditions related to it.

Remember, you don't have to suffer from a  dental problem before going to see a doctor, always go for dental check-ups and cleanings for better healthy teeth!

Don't forget to share this with friends and family.