HOW TO COMBAT BAD BREATH

HOW TO COMBAT BAD BREATH

Bad breath, medically called halitosis, 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.

·         How Does What You Eat Affect Breath?

Basically, all the food eaten begins to be broken down in

your mouth. As foods are digested and absorbed into

the bloodstream, they are eventually carried to your

lungs and given off in your breath. If you eat foods with

strong odors (such as garlic or onions), brushing and

flossing -- even mouthwash -- merely covers up the odor

temporarily. The odor will not go away completely until

the foods have passed through your body.

·         Why Do Poor Habits Cause Bad Breath?

If you don't brush and floss teeth daily, food particles

can remain in your mouth, promoting bacterial growth

between teeth, around the gums, and on the tongue .

This causes bad breath. Antibacterial mouth rinses also

can help reduce bacteria.

In addition, odor-causing bacteria and food particles can

cause bad breath if dentures are not properly cleaned.

Smoking or chewing tobacco-based products also can

cause bad breath, stain teeth, reduce your ability to taste

foods, and irritate your gums.

What Can I Do to Prevent Bad Breath?

Bad breath can be reduced or prevented if you:

1. Practice good oral hygiene. Brush twice a day

with fluoride toothpaste to remove food debris and

plaque. Brush teeth after you eat (keep

a toothbrush at work or school to brush after

lunch). Don't forget to brush the tongue, too.

Replace your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months or

after an illness. Use floss or an interdental cleaner

to remove food particles and plaque between teeth

once a day. Dentures should be removed at night

and cleaned thoroughly before being placed in your

mouth the next morning.

2. See your dentist regularly -- at least twice a year. He

or she will conduct an oral exam and professional

teeth cleaning and will be able to detect and treat

periodontal disease, dry mouth, or other problems

that may be the cause of bad mouth odor.

3. Stop smoking and chewing tobacco-based

products. Ask your dentist for tips on kicking the

habit.

4. Drink lots of water. This will keep your mouth

moist. Chewing gum (preferably sugarless) or

sucking on candy (preferably sugarless) also

stimulates the production of saliva, which helps

wash away food particles and bacteria. Gums and

mints containing xylitol are best.

5. Keep a log of the foods you eat. If you think they

may be causing bad breath, bring the log to your

dentist to review. Similarly, make a list of the

medications you take. Some drugs may play a role

in creating mouth odors.

·         Who Treats Bad Breath?

In most cases, your dentist can treat the cause of bad

breath. If your dentist determines that your mouth is

healthy and the odor is not of oral origin, you may be

referred to your family doctor or to a specialist to

determine the odor source and treatment plan. If the

odor is due to gum disease, for example, your dentist

can either treat the disease or refer you to a

periodontist, a dentist who specializes in treating gum

conditions.

·         What Products Can I Use to Eliminate Bad Breath?

You can buy a number of mouthwashes that claim to

eliminate bad breath. However, many of these generally

provide only a temporary way to mask unpleasant mouth

odor. There are, however, several antiseptic mouth-rinse

products that kill the germs that cause bad breath. Ask

your dentist about which product is best for you.