Curing Bad Breath

                

>>  Click Here To Know The Symptoms, Causes & Effective Cures For Bad Breath <<

 

Bad breath otherwise known as halitosis has long been a problem for mankind. To describe it simply, bad breath is unpleasant odors exhaled during breathing. Halitosis is of two types: Transient, and Chronic. In the United States, an estimated 60 million people suffer from chronic halitosis.

Causes Of bad breath

Transient halitosis is a temporary condition, and is caused by poor oral hygiene, by oral dryness, stress, and eating certain foods, such as garlic and onions. Smoking is also one of the causes of bad breath. Transient bad breath can be eliminated through brushing one's teeth. Chronic halitosis is a more serious condition and needs to be corrected. It could spoil one's personal, as well as business relationships. Chronic halitosis is usually caused by excessive oral bacteria, such as streptococcus mutans, and needs specialized treatment. This bacterium also contributes significantly towards tooth decay. Among other causes for chronic halitosis are continuous dry mouth syndrome - Xerostomia, and Fetor Hepaticus - a type of severe halitosis caused by chronic liver failure.

Though commonly believed, gastrointestinal tract is rarely, if ever, the reason for chronic bad breath. Diseases of the gum could be a significant cause, but bad breath usually emanates from the bacterial plaques and food coated at the back of the tongue. As bad breath is generally caused by the problems in the mouth, a visit to a dentist should be strongly considered. The dentist will often diagnose the contributing factors to bad breath and suggest the appropriate remedy.

There is a significant connection between bad breath and smoking. Smoking dries the membranes of the mouth, and tar and nicotine are deposited on the teeth, tongue, and cheeks, including other tissues, giving rise to halitosis. Dryness in the mouth aids the growth of bacteria. Morning breath, the reeking bad smell, is caused by growth of bacteria on the back of the tongue during the night. This is why dentists insist people should brush their teeth and tongue before sleep.

Treating Bad Breath

Good oral hygiene practices are a great way to cure halitosis. As a daily routine, use of dental floss and deep tongue cleaning is a must. The many mouthwashes, toothpastes and oral sprays are most effective for curing transient halitosis. Certain mouthwashes however contain alcohol between 8 to 25 percent, making the bad breath even worse!

As home care for halitosis, one can try the following, and if the bad breath persists, a visit to the dentist is in order. One should:

• floss between the teeth
• brush teeth and gums properly and deep clean the tongue
• drink plenty of liquids
• use a mouthwash recommended by one's dentist, and shown to be clinically effective in fighting bad breath
• eat fresh, fibrous vegetables, such as carrots
• not ignore one's gums - one can lose one's teeth as well as smell bad!
• not rely on mouthwash alone but practice complete oral hygiene

Many people avoid going to a dentist just for bad breath, due to cost considerations. An option to ease the financial burden would be to select a good dental plan. For just a minimal cost the results can prove to be priceless!

Jay Nickles is a founder of several health related websites including http://www.bestvaluedentalplans.com featuring the top dental plans in the nation and http://usresourcegroup.com providing quality information on medical and heath related matters.