Dental Health
Halitosis/bad breath
Acknowledgments: This section was developed by DVA Dental Advisers using content from www.mydr.com.au webpage on 'Halitosis'.
What is halitosis?
Unpleasant smelling breath, or halitosis, is common in healthy people, especially when they first wake up. For some people bad breath is a chronic problem, affecting their person, business, and social life.
What causes bad breath?
The usual cause of halitosis is the breakdown of food remains, saliva and blood by bacteria. This process of breakdown is exactly the same as that which causes food that is left to 'go off'. This is known as putrefaction.
What makes it worse?
Other infections in the mouth, particularly gum disease, make halitosis worse. Certain foods, such as garlic, onions and curry, can produce bad breath, but only on a temporary basis. Smokers, and those taking certain drugs, may have bad breath. People with diseases of the liver and kidney, diabetic complications or digestive problems may also have unpleasant breath as a result of their condition, but this is not common.
Prevention and treatment of bad breath
The best way to treat and prevent halitosis is to clean your teeth and mouth thoroughly, on a regular basis. This prevents plaque building up and removes the tiny food particles necessary for putrefaction to occur. Dental floss is a good way of cleaning the hard-to-get-at places. Although they help, mouthwashes and breath fresheners are expensive and are no substitute for good dental hygiene. If you have bad breath (and it might take a close friend to tell you), make a visit to the dentist your first priority.
Clean your teeth and mouth thoroughly and regularly to prevent bad breath.