Breath Health: Prevention of Bad Breath (Halitosis)

The most common cause of bad breath is having a poor dental hygiene regimen. If you practice breath health, you can relieve some of the symptoms.

To prevent bad breath, you need to develop the following breath health routine:

Clean your teeth regularly. Floss and brush after meals to get rid of trapped food and to keep your breath fresh. Rinse your mouth with a mouth wash approved by the American Dental Association. The best time is before you go to bed at night.

Brush your tongue. Food gets trapped in the cavities of your tongue and it can become coated. To avoid coating, you should clean your tongue regularly.

Limit your protein intake. High protein diets are low in carbohydrates. This causes the body to use its fat reserves for energy. Acetone is formed in the blood when the body uses fat for energy instead of carbohydrates. It is released through the body in urine and causes a fruity smell on the breath.

Have regular dental check-ups. Tooth decay and oral infections are causes of bad breath. Routine, careful cleaning of your teeth, gums, and tongue will help to prevent bad breath. You should see your dentist at least twice a year.

Have an annual physical. You should discuss any symptoms of illness with your doctor. Your doctor can conduct tests to diagnose problems which may cause bad breath. Some medical conditions such as diabetes and ulcers can cause this problem.

If you smoke, quit. Smoking not only causes bad breath but the smell also lingers on your clothing and in your hair. Prolonged smoking causes the teeth to turn yellow.

Check your medications. Ask your doctor if any of the medications you are taking cause bad breath or dry mouth. There may be another one that is effective for the condition you have. If not, your doctor may have suggestions as to how you can prevent halitosis.

Watch what you eat. Onion, garlic, and curry have strong odors that remain on your breath after eating for at least 24 hours. Although the odors are strong, they do not result in a continuing problem of bad breath. Foods high in protein like red meat can get stuck in your teeth. High protein foods are also difficult to digest and this is a problem if you have an ulcer or other gastric disorder. This can cause acid reflux which produces a strong odor.

Make sure your dentures are clean and fit properly. Food particles can get trapped in your dentures and if they don't fit properly in the gaps in your mouth. Your dentures should be cleaned regularly to get rid of bacteria that cause bad breath.

Drink plenty of water. Dry mouth is a symptom of bad breath. Moisture cleans the tissues of the mouth. When your mouth is dry, the bacteria form and stay in place. Drink more water and less coffee or alcohol. These two beverages can cause offensive odors. Chewing sugar-free gum will also help to increase the saliva in your mouth.

Simple solutions do not always work to relieve bad breath. There may be underlying medical conditions. When you have a dental check-up, the dentist will check your teeth, your mouth, your gums, and your tongue. If the suggestions given by your dentist don't resolve the problem, you may be referred to a periodonist. A periodonist specializes in gum diseases. The dentist may also ask you to see your doctor to determine if there is a medical condition causing bad breath.

The start to preventing halitosis is practicing breath health. Start with the basics of good dental hygiene. If the problem persists, see your dentist and your doctor.

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