1. Just Another Name for Bad Breath
We've all at one time or another had it or been exposed to it: halitosis, or bad breath. Scientifically referred to as oral malodor, halitosis is the term used when a person's breath emits a foul odor. It can be the result of a number of things: "morning breath", eating certain foods, or a chronic medical problem that leads to a person's breath having a constant odor. The word halitosis comes from the combination of the Latin word "halitus", meaning breath, and "osis", a Greek suffix relating to a condition.
2. Mouthing Off About Halitosis
Most of the time, the cause of halitosis can be found by looking no further than the inside of our mouths. Food getting stuck in our teeth, not adequately brushing or not brushing our teeth at all, a condition called xerostamia (better known as dry mouth, a decrease in the production of saliva), gum disease, tooth decay or a coating of the tongue due to food particles collecting there can all result in halitosis. Smoking or chewing tobacco can also cause bad breath.
3. Not All Your Mouth's Fault
However, if you brush and floss regularly, brush your tongue and use a germ-killing mouthwash and still suffer from bad breath, then the reasons likely lie deeper than your mouth. Some medical conditions such as diabetes, lung infections or disease, sinusitis, tonsillitis, postnasal drip and even gastrointestinal, liver or kidney diseases can all be causes of halitosis. Even some oral medications can cause bad breath.
4. Fighting the War Against This Oral Enemy
For the most part, you can take halitosis on and win the war. Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings to have built-up plaque removed from your teeth. See a periodontist if gum disease if causing your halitosis. A dentist can prescribe an antimicrobial rinse to keep bad breath under control. If your halitosis is coming from certain oral medications you are taking, see if your doctor can prescribe an alternative that will not cause bad breath.
5. Don't Let Bad Breath Get You Down (In the Mouth)
When it comes to bad breath, get proactive. There is much you can do to prevent halitosis. Brush twice per day with a fluoride toothpaste and floss and use a germ-fighting mouthwash with fluoride at least once per day. Brush or scrape your tongue as well. Eat less food that can cause bad breath, such as coffee, garlic or cheese. Don't smoke. Eat more fruit and vegetables. Drink more water or suck on sugar-free hard candies or chew sugar-free gum to help prevent dry mouth.
