Causes and Cures for Bad Breath

Bad breath is also called by the name halitosis. Halitosis is an embarrassing condition which has to be paid attention immediately. It is better to visit your dentist if you suffer from bad breath. If the bad breath is caused by an oral condition, a treatment plan can help you get rid of it easily.

Foods such as onions and garlic can lead to bad breath instantaneously. Through brushing and flossing you can only remove the odor temporarily. Until the body excretes the food, odors will remain in the body. Unpleasant breath can result even from infrequent eating.

Unhealthy brushing practices can also lead to food particles getting stuck in the mouth which can cause bad odor because of bacterial formation. Food that remains on the tongue, gums and teeth can rot and cause foul smell.  Another cause for bad breath is dry mouth (xerostomia). This occurs when the saliva flow in the mouth gets reduced. Saliva helps to remove odor by cleansing the mouth and removing food particles. Breathing through the mouth, medications or problems with salivary glands can cause the problem of dry mouth. You can get rid of this problem by increasing your fluid intake or by being prescribed with artificial saliva. Use of tobacco products can also lead to bad breath.

Bad breath is also a symptom of an underlying medical problem such as chronic sinusitis, respiratory tract infection, chronic bronchitis, gastrointestinal disturbance, diabetes, kidney or liver ailments. In case you are found to have a healthy mouth, you may be referred to your family doctor by the dentist for finding out the cause for bad breath.

It is essential to maintain good oral hygiene for reducing bad breath. You must undertake frequent visits to your dentist for cleaning and checkup. You can make a list of the things you eat including medicines to understand what exactly is causing this condition. Some medications can also cause a foul smell in the mouth. You can also confide in your dentist about any illness or surgery you may have undergone so that he may be able to find out the cause for bad breath easily.