Halitosis is a condition that causes people to suffer from extremely bad breath. This condition can cause embarrassment and anxiety. Many factors can cause halitosis. Foods and drinks that are consumed are a large contributor to causing this condition. Certain life style habits can also cause a person to suffer from extremely stinky breath. Medical conditions can cause halitosis as well. Practicing poor dental hygiene is the main cause for halitosis.
Foods and Drinks
Consuming foods and drinks that omit a strong odor are common causes of halitosis. Many people have the common misconception that using mouth wash after drinking or eating food, such as garlic, that have a strong odor can solve the stinky breath problem. However, this is not true. It may temporarily solve the problem but the only way to get ride of the smell is to wait for the food or drink to completely leave the body. Watching what you eat is vital to treating this condition. Meat is known to cause this problem so it should be eaten in moderation. To reduce the build up of saliva, eat meals at frequent intervals.
Life Style
Life style habits are also a common cause of halitosis. Tobacco products can increase the stink. Avoid tobacco products if you are trying to treat this condition.
Dental Hygiene
Dental hygiene is one of the main causes of halitosis. If proper dental hygiene procedures are not practiced, bacteria can begin to build in the mouth and cause halitosis. To solve this problem, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day. Flossing should be done once a day to decrease the amount of bacteria the grows between the teeth. Mouthwash can be used as well to treat this condition. Dental check ups should be done regularly to treat any other conditions in the mouth that may be causing the odor.
Chew Gum
Chewing sugar free gum or using sugar free mints is a great idea when trying to treat halitosis These keep the mouth moist. If the mouth becomes too dry the odor can begin to occur. Although these can be very helpful, it is important to not over do it on the gum or mints because it can then make the odor worse.
Medical Conditions
There are numerous medical conditions that can cause halitosis, such as acid reflux disease. You can seek the advice of an ear, nose, and throat doctor to help choose a course of treatment and prevention of halitosis.
Although everyone suffers from halitosis from time to time, frequent and extreme halitosis is not normal. By following tips to treat this condition at home you can decrease the odor and stop the anxiety over bad breath.
References:
“Bad or Changed Breath- Topic Overview” WebMD.com
“Bad Breath” Mayoclinic.com
