Halitosis (Bad Breath) - Causes and Suggested treatment...

 

Halitosis or bad breath occurs when noticeably unpleasant odors are exhaled in breathing,can result from poor dental health habits and may be a sign of other health problems. Bad breath can also be made worse by the types of foods you eat and other unhealthy lifestyle habits.

Halitosis is also referred to as oral malodor, but most of us know it quite simply as "bad breath." Even though it's a comparatively minor health problem, bad breath can be distressing and a bit of a social handicap.

But let not this problem stress you,there many ways to overcome halitosis,today Msongo will try to name the major causes and possible treatments for Halitosis.

Halitosis is also caused by:

• smoking
• alcohol
• dentures
• periodontal or gum disease that causes teeth to become loose, thereby creating pockets in the gums that harbour bacteria and lead to bad breath
• chronic lung or sinus infections
• breathing through your mouth because of enlarged tonsils or adenoids
• mouth infections such as thrush (candidiasis)
• systemic diseases such as diabetes, liver disease, or kidney disorders
• pregnancy
• not brushing or flossing regularly

Taking certain medications can also cause bad breath, especially those that reduce the flow of saliva and dry out the mouth (e.g., some antidepressants, antipsychotics, antihistamines, decongestants, and medications to reduce high blood pressure).

Bad breath odors vary, depending on the source or the underlying cause. Some people worry too much about their breath even though they have little or no mouth odor, while others have bad breath and don't know it. Because it's difficult to assess how your own breath smells, ask a close friend or relative to confirm your bad-breath questions. 

Here are some tips for getting rid of bad breath:

• Brush your teeth 3 times a day and floss once daily.
• Clean your tongue before bedtime by scraping with a plastic tongue cleaner or brushing gently.
• Prevent hunger breath by eating regularly and avoiding fasting or skipping meals.
• Ask your dentist to recommend a specific cleaning system that can help clean your mouth more thoroughly than with just regular brushing.
• Keep your nose and sinuses clean.
• Stimulate saliva flow with acidic fruits such as oranges and lemons or sugarless citric gums and candy.
• Eat more fibrous foods. Chew fibrous vegetables such as parsley and wintergreen to stimulate saliva flow.
• Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily to keep your mouth moist and to help rinse away odour-forming bacteria.
• Decrease alcohol and coffee intake.
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether your medications are causing problems of dry mouth that may be leading to bad breath.

It is not a wonder that we spend millions each year on efforts to freshen our breath with various gums, sprays, and mouthwashes.