Halitosis: How to Cure the Smell

Halitosis is a medical term used to describe people with bad breath. At sometime or another we have all found ourselves in this embarrassing situation, whether it was you or someone else. Even though medical doctors deem it a minor health problem, it can cause major concerns in your professional life. It can also put a damper on your love life. So many people suffer from this embarrassing problem that millions of dollars is spent every year on efforts to kick the smell!

What causes halitosis? (bad breath)

Halitosis can be caused by bad eating habits. If you eat foods like, garlic, onions, fish or foods high in fat . The chemicals from these foods are absorbed into your bloodstream, then carried to your lungs where they are exhaled into your breath.

Any kind of tobacco-based-product that is either chewed or smoked causes bad breath. It can stain your teeth and lesson your ability to taste food.

If you like to have a couple glasses of whine after work and before bedtime, then you might have halitosis due to your alcohol intake. Cut back on your alcohol consumption.

Dieting or the loss of healthy food intake can cause bad breath. The body uses the protein from meals as energy which is inhaled through the lungs. Without a healthy food intake for protein, the air in the lungs become tainted with foul odor.

Dentures that are worn down or not properly cleaned can cause bad breath.

Poor dental hygiene can also cause bad breath. Not properly brushing or flossing your teeth on a regular basis. Food particles can get trapped between your teeth, which breeds bacteria growth between the teeth,

gum-line and on the tongue.

Poor saliva flow.

Certain medications can also cause bad breath.

How to prevent and cure halitosis

Brush your teeth three times a day.

See your dentist regularly.

Drink plenty of water, at least 8 glasses every day. Rinse your mouth in it , swoosh the water around your mouth, especaily before bedtime. It will help decrease the odor of morning breath.

Don’t skip meals. Your body needs all the protein it can get. Your can lose weight by cutting back on fatty foods while maintaining foods high in fiber.

Keep your nose and sinus area clean and clear of any debris.

Stimulate your saliva flow by chewing vegetables like: parsley and wintergreen.

Rinse your mouth thoroughly with mouthwash.

Use breath mints.

When to seek medical help

When nothing you have tried has worked and your bad breath becomes increasingly persisitent. You may need medical help in getting to the root of the problem.

Who treats halitosis

In most cases your dentist can treat your bad breath; however, if he cannot find any problem in your mouth he may refer you to your family doctor.

What health issues are associated with halitosis

A number of health issues are related to bad breath: indigestion, stomach problems, throat or sinus infection, liver, diabetes and kidney disorders or periodontal disease, which is a build up of plaque on the teeth that cause them to decay.