21/06/2023
BAD BREATH
Bad breath, also called halitosis, can be embarrassing and in some cases may even cause anxiety.
SYMPTOMS
Bad breath odors vary, depending on the source or the underlying cause. Some people worry too much about their breath even though they have little or no mouth odor, while others have bad breath and don't know it. Because it's difficult to assess how your own breath smells, ask a close friend or relative to confirm your bad-breath questions
CAUSES
Most bad breath starts in your mouth, and there are many possible causes. They include:
✓Food. The breakdown of food particles in and around your teeth can increase bacteria and cause a foul odor. Eating certain foods, such as onions, garlic, and other vegetables and spices, also can cause bad breath. After you digest these foods, they enter your bloodstream, are carried to your lungs and affect your breath.
✓To***co products. Smoking causes its own unpleasant mouth odor. Smokers and oral to***co users are also more likely to have gum disease, another source of bad breath.
✓Poor dental hygiene. If you don't brush and floss daily, food particles remain in your mouth, causing bad breath. A colorless, sticky film of bacteria forms on your teeth and if not brushed away, plaque can irritate your gums and eventually form plaque-filled pockets between your teeth and gums
The uneven surface of the tongue also can trap bacteria that produce odors. And dentures that aren't cleaned regularly or don't fit properly can harbor odor-causing bacteria and food particles.
✓Dry mouth. Saliva helps cleanse your mouth, removing particles that may cause bad odors. A condition called dry mouth — also known as xerostomia — can contribute to bad breath because production of saliva is decreased. Dry mouth naturally occurs during sleep, leading to "morning breath," and is made worse if you sleep with your mouth open. Some medications can lead to a chronic dry mouth, as can a problem with your salivary glands and some diseases.
✓Infections in your mouth. Bad breath can be caused by surgical wounds after oral surgery, such as tooth removal, or as a result of tooth decay, gum disease or mouth sores.
Other mouth, nose and throat conditions. Bad breath can occasionally stem from small stones that form in the tonsils and are covered with bacteria that produce odorous chemicals. Infections or chronic inflammation in the nose, sinuses or throat, which can contribute to postnasal drip, also can cause bad breath.
✓Medications. Some medications can indirectly produce badt breath by contributing to dry mouth. Others can be broken down in the body to release chemicals that can be carried on your breath.
✓Other causes. Diseases, such as some cancers, and conditions such as metabolic disorders, can cause a distinctive breath odor as a result of chemicals they produce.
LIFESTYLE AND HOME REMEDIES
To reduce or prevent bad breath:
✓Brush your teeth after you eat. Keep a toothbrush at work to use after eating. Brush using a fluoride-containing toothpaste at least twice a day, especially after meals. Toothpaste with antibacterial properties has been shown to reduce bad breath odors.
✓Floss at least once a day. Proper flossing removes food particles and plaque from between your teeth, helping to control bad breath.
✓Brush your tongue. Your tongue harbors bacteria, so carefully brushing it may help reduce odors. People who have a coated tongue from a significant overgrowth of bacteria (from smoking or dry mouth, for example) may benefit from using a tongue scraper. Or use a toothbrush that has a built-in tongue cleaner.
✓Clean your dentures or dental appliances. If you wear a bridge or a partial or complete denture, clean it thoroughly at least once a day or as directed by your dentist. If you have a dental retainer or mouth guard, clean it each time before you put it in your mouth. Your dentist can recommend the best cleaning product.
✓Avoid dry mouth. To keep your mouth moist, avoid to***co and drink plenty of water — not coffee, soft drinks or alcohol, which can lead to a drier mouth. Chew gum or suck on candy — preferably sugarless — to stimulate saliva. If you have chronic dry mouth, your dentist or physician may prescribe an artificial saliva preparation or an oral medication that stimulates the flow of saliva.
✓Adjust your diet. Avoid food and beverages that can cause bad breath. Avoid sticky, sugary foods.
✓Regularly get a new toothbrush. Change your toothbrush when it becomes frayed, about every three to four months, and choose a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Schedule regular dental °checkups.
INBOX TO BOOK YOUR FULL BODY SCAN
Early detection is essential for prevention. Book a full body scan with us using the contact below for determining if you have a strong immune system and if you have any risk factors for any other health challenge.
Contact Mr Chigutsa(Herbal Health Consultant) +263789824426
