Bad breath (halitosis)
Definition of bad breath (halitosis)
Bad breath is an unpleasant smell coming from the
mouth during breathing, regardless of whether or not the mouth is its original
source. The intensity of the
smell varies during the day because of fasting or by foods a person eats or
because of obesity, smoking and drinking alcohol or, poor oral hygiene, dry
mouth, dental problems, medications or other factors.
Bad breath is a common problem, bad breath is
usually simple and preventable. Sometimes this bad breath is temporary and soon
disappears after eating and brushing teeth. Sometimes it is persistent and
negatively affects the individual's personal, social and practical life leading
to a decrease in self-confidence and an increase in psychological
pressure.
These chronic conditions are often due to the metabolic activity of some types of bacteria that live in the mouth.
These chronic conditions are often due to the metabolic activity of some types of bacteria that live in the mouth.
Self and Home Diagnosis
It is difficult to smell
one's self often because of his habit of smell, and in spite of this many of
those who suffer from bad breath are able to discover it with others, some
people think that they have bad breath because of their bad taste, but the bad taste
it is a weak indicator for this.
For these reasons, the simplest and most successful way to know if a person suffers from bad breath is to ask a trusted family member or close friend, and if he assures him that there is a problem with the smell of himself.
For these reasons, the simplest and most successful way to know if a person suffers from bad breath is to ask a trusted family member or close friend, and if he assures him that there is a problem with the smell of himself.
What are the Causes of Bad Breath?
1. "Morning breath": Bad breath in the
morning is very common. Saliva production nearly stops during sleep, allowing
odor-causing bacteria to grow, causing bad breath.
2. Dry mouth: Saliva helps moisten and cleanse the
mouth, and when the body does not produce enough saliva, bad breath may result.
Dry mouth may be caused by salivary gland problems, connective tissue
disorders.
3. Dietary factors: such as garlic, onion,
spicy foods, exotic spices (such as curry), some kinds of cheeses, fish, or coffee
can leave a lingering smell. Most of the time the odor is short-lived.
4. Braces: Food particles not properly cleaned from appliances such as
braces can rot or cause bacteria and odor.
5. Health problems: sore throat, the
common cold, influenza (flu), bronchitis, coughing up sputum from lung
infections can also cause bad breath, diabetes, and other stomach or digestion
problems.
6. Poor oral health: When someone does not brush
or floss his/her teeth regularly, food particles remaining in the mouth can rot
and cause bad odors or buildup of plaque in the mouth, which causes an odor of
its own.
7. Mouth infections: Cavities, gum
disease, or impacted teeth may cause bad breath.
8. Medications: Triamterene, paraldehyde, and antihistamines
to treat allergies and diuretics, can cause dry mouth which can cause bad
breath.
What is Treatment for Bad Breath?
* Having a healthy breakfast with (coarse foods) helps clean the back of the tongue in a good way.
* Maintaining the necessary oral hygiene, which includes brushing, using a floss, and regular visits to dentists and oral health professionals.
* The use of a cleaning thread is necessary to remove the decomposing food residue stuck between the teeth, especially along the gums.
* Also, dentures must be carefully cleaned and soaked overnight in an anti-bacterial solution (unless your dentist recommends otherwise).
* The use of a cleaning thread is necessary to remove the decomposing food residue stuck between the teeth, especially along the gums.
* Also, dentures must be carefully cleaned and soaked overnight in an anti-bacterial solution (unless your dentist recommends otherwise).
Brush and floss teeth regularly.
- Gently clean the surface of the tongue twice a day with a tongue brush (tongue scrub or tongue cleaner) to remove (bacterial groupings - dirt - mucous substances), avoid scraping the tongue vigorously or harming it, especially scraping the posterior region in which there are compacting V-shaped papillae of taste. Also, cleaning the mouth and tongue by using an antibacterial lotion or gel will prevent bacterial activity.
- Quit smoking or using chewing tobacco.
- Maintaining the water level in the body by drinking several glasses of water a day.
- Keep the mouth moist by chewing sugarless gum or sugar-free hard candy to stimulate the production of saliva, dry mouth leads to an increase in the accumulation and multiplication of bacteria, which causes bad breath, so chewing sugar-free gum helps stimulate saliva production and thus reduce bad smell.
- Chewing frankincense is especially useful when the mouth is dry or when a person cannot perform oral health care
- Chewing the food well to keep saliva flowing.
- Gargling with an effective mouthwash directly and can help eliminate bad breath that caused by bacteria and may mask bad breath odors. Several types of commercial mouthwashes have shown their effectiveness in relieving bad breath for hours, which is based on scientific studies. Mouthwashes may contain active ingredients, they lose their effectiveness with soap found in most toothpastes, so it is recommended that you do not use mouthwash immediately after brushing. Remember that mouthwashes can help kill bad breath causing bacteria and may temporarily mask bad breath odors, but it may not treat the underlying cause.
- If you have braces, it's like that your bad breath is caused by food getting stuck in them. You may see your orthodontist for an adjustment.
- If proper oral hygiene does not get rid of bad breath, see a dentist or doctor for diagnosis if bad breath.
Old traditional treatments
Chew the fennel seeds, cinnamon sticks, lobster or fresh parsley. Chewing hazelnut and betel leaf (betel bite) is an excellent remedy against bad breath.