Breath Health: Bad Breath (Halitosis)

Breath Health is the proper care of your mouth with good oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist. The results of improper care is bad breath or halitosis. Bad breath is unpleasant, especially when you are standing close to others or talking with someone.

Halitosis is caused by either bacteria in your mouth or by a medical condition. The mouth is warm and that makes it an ideal place for bacteria to grow. The mouth produces a waste product, volatile sulphur compounds, which is what makes a skunk's spray odorous. These sulphur compounds are caused by anaerobic bacteria. Anaerobic bacteria, bacteria that grow without oxygen, are the cause of most dental infections.

The most common causes of bad breath are:

• Smoking
• Bad dental hygiene
• Medications, such as Norvasc
• Medical conditions, such as diabetes
• High protein diets
• Low intake of water
• Diet low in fresh fruits and vegetables
• Dry mouth
• Food, such as garlic and onions

To cure bad breath, you have to practice breath health. There are several ways to do this:

• Regular brushing and flossing
• If you smoke, quit
• Brush your tongue
• Drink plenty of water
• Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables
• Limit your intake of high protein foods
• See your dentist regularly for check-ups

There are a number of products on the market that can help you get started in resolving your problems with bad breath.

Good breath health practices will eliminate bad breath if you don't have a medical condition. If a change in your diet or habits does not solve the problem, you should see your dentist or doctor. Your dentist will check for infections in your mouth. Your doctor will check for medical conditions that may cause the problem.