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Bad
Breath
(Halitosis)
Whether
you call
it bad
breath or
halitosis,
it’s an
unpleasant
condition
that’s
cause for
embarrassment.
Some
people
with bad
breath
aren’t
even aware
there’s a
problem.
If you’re
concerned
about bad
breath,
see your
dentist.
He or she
can help
identify
the cause
and, if
it’s due
to an oral
condition,
develop a
treatment
plan to
help
eliminate
it.
What
you eat
affects
the air
you
exhale.
Certain
foods,
such as
garlic and
onions,
contribute
to
objectionable
breath
odor. Once
the food
is
absorbed
into the
bloodstream,
it is
transferred
to the
lungs,
where it
is
expelled.
Brushing,
flossing
and
mouthwash
will only
mask the
odor
temporarily.
Odors
continue
until the
body
eliminates
the food.
Dieters
may
develop
unpleasant
breath
from
infrequent
eating.
If you
don't
brush and
floss
daily,
particles
of food
remain in
the mouth,
collecting
bacteria,
which can
cause bad
breath.
Food that
collects
between
the teeth,
on the
tongue and
around the
gums can
rot,
leaving an
unpleasant
odor.
Bad
breath can
also be
caused by
dry mouth
(xerostomia),
which
occurs
when the
flow of
saliva
decreases.
Saliva is
necessary
to cleanse
the mouth
and remove
particles
that may
cause
odor. Dry
mouth may
be caused
by various
medications,
salivary
gland
problems
or
continuously
breathing
through
the mouth.
If you
suffer
from dry
mouth,
your
dentist
may
prescribe
anartificial
saliva, or
suggest
using
sugarless
candy and
increasing
your fluid
intake.
Tobacco
products
cause bad
breath. If
you use
tobacco,
ask your
dentist
for tips
on kicking
the habit.
Bad
breath may
be the
sign of a
medical
disorder,
such as a
local
infection
in the
respiratory
tract,
chronic
sinusitis,
postnasal
drip,
chronic
bronchitis,
diabetes,
gastrointestinal
disturbance,
liver or
kidney
ailment.
If your
dentist
determines
that your
mouth is
healthy,
you may be
referred
to your
family
doctor or
a
specialist
to
determine
the cause
of bad
breath.
Maintaining
good oral
health is
essential
to
reducing
bad
breath.
Schedule
regular
dental
visits for
a
professional
cleaning
and
checkup.
If you
think you
have
constant
bad
breath,
keep a log
of the
foods you
eat and
make a
list of medications you
take. Some
medications
may play a
role in
creating
mouth
odors. Let
your
dentist
know if
you've had
any
surgery or
illness
since your
last
appointment.
Brush
twice a
day with
fluoride
toothpaste
to remove
food
debris and
plaque.
Brush your
tongue,
too. Once
a day, use
floss or
an
interdental
cleaner to
clean
between
teeth.
Mouthwashes
are
generally
cosmetic
and do not
have a
long-lasting
effect on
bad
breath. If
you must
constantly
use a
breath
freshener
to hide
unpleasant
mouth
odor, see
your
dentist.
If you
need extra
help in
controlling
plaque,
your
dentist
may
recommend
using a
special
antimicrobial
mouth
rinse. A
fluoride
mouth
rinse,
used along
with
brushing
and
flossing,
can help
prevent
tooth
decay.
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