Breath Health: Symptoms of Bad Breath (Halitosis)

Bad breath affects the way you interact with others. In a social situation, at a party or on date, someone may offer you a breath mint or gum before they talk to you. The person you are interacting with may take several steps back from you. If you go for a job interview, the interviewer will sit as far away from you as possible. The interview will be short.

You may not always know if you have bad breath. The cells in your nose that detect odors become accustomed to the smells. Some medical treatments such as chemotherapy also dull the sense of smell. Ask a friend or your spouse.

How can you tell if you have halitosis?

• Check your teeth and gums. If your teeth are coated with plaque or you have swollen gums, you are practicing breath health.
• Floss your teeth and smell the floss. If it smells bad, you have bad breath.
• Look for dried food trapped between your teeth. Large particles can be seen by the naked eye. Or, you may feel them if you run your tongue across your teeth, back and front. If you feel you need a toothpick, you have trapped food and need to brush and floss.
• Infections in the mouth are a symptom of bad breath. Check your gums to see if they are red or swollen. Another sign of infection is if your gums bleed after brushing and flossing.
• Other problems in the mouth which are symptoms include loose teeth, dentures not fitting properly, an abscess on a gum, and sores on your tongue.
• Dry mouth is another symptom. Dry mouth creates the inability to speak for a prolonged period of time. You need to have a drink of water before continuing.
• Medical conditions such as diabetes, liver disease, or kidney failure can cause bad breath. Some of the medications used to treat these diseases also cause the problem.

Practicing breath health by having a good dental hygiene regimen can relieve the symptoms of bad breath. This includes brushing and flossing after eating. You should have regular checkups with your dentist. Discuss medical problems with your doctor.

If you practice good breath health, your life will change immensely.