Mouth Odour

Mouth Odour or bad breath, medically known as halitosis, is a common and embarrassing health condition that affects approximately 30% of people around the world. It is associated with a foul oral odour.. Not everyone experiences halitosis or experiences halitosis to the same degree. This can be attributed to the different levels of compounds and molecules each and everyone’s body secretes. In most instances a sufferer is totally unaware that he or she has bad breath with diagnosis often being made by an individual who comes into close contact with the sufferer. It can be difficult to know if you have bad breath. Family members and colleagues may not tell you.

Common causes of Bad Breath
1. Dry mouth (due to lack of enough saliva production)
2. Certain foods such as onions and garlic because they contain smelly sulphur compounds, Cigarette or tobacco smoking Frequent and the large consumption of Dairy and Dairy containing products. Diets low in carbohydrates can cause one’s body to break down fats for energy instead. This causes a ketone by product which often results in one’s breath having a fruity, acetone odour
3. Poor dental hygiene
4. Illness and disease such as poor of sluggish digestive system, diabetes, lung disease, kidney disease, cancer, liver disease, respiratory tract infections or metabolic disorders due to dry mouth. Others are Sinusitis, pneumonia, bronchitis, post nasal drip, nasal odour, putrefaction from the tonsils, tooth decay, yeast infections of the mouth and gum disease. Certain drugs such as antidepressants, high blood pressure medications and antihistamines can cause bad breath because they reduce saliva production. Candida or fungal infections of the digestive system.

Symptoms of Bad Breath
The most common symptoms of bad breath include post-nasal drip, a bitter metallic taste, a white coating on the tongue and thick saliva.
Most symptoms of bad breath depend on the underlying cause of bad breath. Many individuals who suffer from bad breath because of dry mouth can experience difficulty speaking, difficulty swallowing, a burning sensation in the mouth or dry eyes. Fever, sore throat, persistent cough and swollen lymph nodes in the neck indicate respiratory tract infections which can also mean bad breath.
One of the best ways to find out if you have bad breath is to lick the inside of your wrist, wait five seconds and then take a whiff.

Bad Breath Home Remedies
There are several things you can at home to treat bad breath.
1. Proper oral care - Brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day. This helps to remove any food and plaque which can be used as a fuel source by the anaerobic, sulfur-producing bacteria that cause bad breath. - Use oral care products such as mouthwashes and toothpastes that have been shown to be effective in fighting bad breath.
2. Brush your teeth occasionally with baking soda – The bacteria that cause bad breath thrive in an acidic oral environment. Brushing your teeth with baking soda helps neutralize excess acids found in the oral cavity. Use mouthwash - Some mouthwashes or oral rinses are effective at preventing bad breath. However, you should never use alcohol based mouthwashes because the alcohol makes the mouth very dry, which will actually cause bad breath.
3. Stimulate your salivary flow - Prevent dry mouth with chewing gum, lozenges, or mints that are sugar free. Look for sweeteners.
4. Eat fibrous fruits and vegetables- One of the best ways to remove bacteria in the mouth is to eat an apple a day. It helps moisten the mouth, too. Eat foods rich in fiber - High fiber foods actually help prevent halitosis. Avoid eating heavily processed foods that contain refined carbohydrates such as cookies, cakes, sweets and ice cream.
5. Take a dietary supplement- Take Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and Vitamin B. These vitamins are effective at helping your body eliminate excess mucus and toxins naturally.
6. Drink green and black teas - They contain polyphenols that help eliminate sulfur compounds and reduce oral bacteria. Some effective, natural ingredients to look for in oral care products are zinc gluconate, aloe vera, green tea, tea tree oil, xylitol, CoQ10, glycyrrhizic acid and oral probiotics like K12 and M18.
7. Avoid drying medication - Avoid taking antidepressants, diuretics, pain relievers and antihistamines unless it is absolutely, medically necessary. These drugs inhibit saliva flow and cause halitosis.
8. Avoid products with sodium lauryl sulfate or alcohol - Do not use any oral hygiene products that contain sodium lauryl sulfate or alcohol because the alcohol makes the mouth very dry, which is a leading cause of bad breath.
9. Clean your mouth after eating meat, fish or dairy products - Practice consistent and thorough oral hygiene to prevent bad breath.
10. Stop smoking - Studies have shown that smokers present a higher risk of developing periodontal disease and bad breath because smoking causes dry mouth which can cause bad breath.
11. Breathe through your nose instead of your mouth - Try to address any snoring or sleep apnea issues that could be affecting your breath and causing dry mouth.
12. Drink water - Keep your mouth moist by drinking plenty of water.
13. Eliminate dairy products from your diet - Bad breath can easily be caused by lactose intolerance.

In most cases bad breath can be successfully treated. Bad breath treatment depends on its cause.
Please keep in mind that you cannot eliminate the bacteria that cause bad breath from the tongue. Consequently, scraping or brushing the tongue is a temporary solution at best, and is typically frustrating for those who believe tongue scraping or tongue brushing is a permanent solution to bad breath. The bacteria that cause bad breath are actually part of your normal oral flora and need to be present in order to break down proteins as a key step in proper digestion.
Bad breath is preventable and curable but remember, preventing bad breath is always easier than treating it. By developing the right habits, you can be effective at preventing bad breath.

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