Lawrence says: Having bad breath may be a chronic and embarrassing problem for many people. This malady, called halitosis, is caused by a lack of oral hygiene and the buildup of bacteria. Food particles that may become lodged will give off more bacteria than those that are removed with a toothbrush. Tobacco related products will cause bad breath as well as a host of other dental problems. Also, eating pungent foods such as onions and garlic leads to halitosis and there is little a patient can do but continue oral hygiene until the smell disappears in a few days.Other things that may cause foul breath are dental cavities, dental appliances and yeast infections in the mouth. Another condition that causes halitosis is called xerostomia which is a dry mouth condition. Because there is no saliva to remove dead cells from out of the mouth, bacteria is formed because of the remnant dead cells. People who are on a diet often find themselves with bad breath related to a saliva deficit. Finally, unrelated to dentistry, there are a few medical conditions that may cause halitosis: acid reflux, liver or kidney disease, certain medications, sinus infections with postnasal drip and pneumonia.
The good news is that the condition is treatable. Remedies include:
*Practicing dentist advised oral hygiene including brushing teeth regularly and flossing for bacteria control
*Avoiding foods with a strong taste and after effect as well as tobacco products
*Drinking plenty of non-sugary beverages so that bacteria will wash out of the mouth
*Knowing that mouthwash only temporarily treats the symptoms of bad breath and not the root cause
*Brushing the tongue or using a tongue scraper to remove excess bacteria
*Brushing teeth after a meal.
