Eliminate Bad Breath

You have tried everything, including gum, mints and mouthwash, but nothing seems to combat your bad breath effectively. Bad breath, also known as halitosis, affects between 35 and 45 percent of the people in the world to some degree. Instead of overloading on mints to mask your bad breath, it is better to examine your problem at its source. There are numerous reasons why people have bad breath. Discovering the underlying cause of your specific halitosis could help you eliminate your problem for good.

What is going on your mouth to cause that foul odor? When there is a buildup of bacteria in your mouth, it causes inflammation that can release nitrous odors and result in that unpleasant smell.

If you know you have a bad breath problem, it is probably because someone else told you so. It is almost impossible to detect your own breath smells accurately. If you suspect you have halitosis but don’t want to ask a friend, you can try smelling your own dental floss after use.

Investigating your specific bad breath trigger means looking into the following common reasons for halitosis, as noted by WebMD.

• Untreated cavities, periodontal disease, cracked fillings and unsanitary dentures
• Medical conditions such as diabetes, respiratory tract infections, liver disease and chronic bronchitis
• Consumption of foods including garlic and onions, as well as beverages like coffee and alcohol

If you do not have a medical condition that is causing your bad breath or a food or drink to blame, then a visit to the dentist may be in order. At home, you can make a strong effort to increase your water intake, which promotes the production of saliva and cleanses your mouth of sticky substances before it builds up. You can also add more fruits and vegetables to your diet. Those that are rich in vitamin C help bad breath because they create an environment not suitable for mouth bacteria.

However, the most important thing you can do to fight off embarrassing breath odor is to maintain good oral hygiene habits and keep your routine dental appointments. If you are serious about eliminating halitosis, your dentist is the best place to start.