All you Need to Know About Bad Breath aka Halitosis

More than 30 million people suffer from chronic bad breath. In most cases it originates from the gums and tongues. The odour is caused by bacteria from the decay of food particles, other debris in the mouth and poor oral hygiene. The decay and debris produce a sulphur that causes the unpleasant odour. This is quite embarrassing.

Some organisms naturally found in the mouth act on the leftovers in the mouth after feeding to produce mouth odour. This is worse with sugary foods because some by-products of the reaction with these micro-organisms, act on the dental covering of teeth as well as on the gums causing dental caries.

Foods that causes bad breath

Very spicy foods, such as onions and garlic soups and coffee may be detected on a person’s breath for up to 72 hours after digestion. Onions for example, are absorbed by the stomach and the odour then passes out through the lungs.

Other causes of bad breath

Bad breath also may occur in people who have medical conditions like gum disease, diabetes, kidney or liver disease.

Sometimes when we do not eat or brush properly we still give out which are nauseating. This is as a result of some micro-organisms (Bacteria) in the mouth which are very active. Odour that emanate from the back of your tongue may indicate post-nasal drip.  This is the mucus secretion, which comes from the nose and moves down your throat, get stuck on the tongue and produce mouth odour.

How Saliva fights mouth odour

Saliva helps keep the odour in the mouth under control because it washes away food particles and bacteria which are the primary causes of bad breath. When you sleep, however, your salivary glands slows down the production of saliva allowing the bacteria to grow inside the mouth.

Control of bad breath

It is important to practice good oral hygiene, such as brushing and flushing your teeth with water at least twice a day to reduce the odour. Clean your tongue with your tooth brush or a tongue scrapper- a plastic tool that scrapes away bacteria that builds on the tongue.

Avoid taking sugary things but when you take them, rinse your mouth thoroughly.