Dealing With Bad Breath

Bad breath, or in medical terms called halitosis are terms used to describe noticeably bad odors exhales when breathing. Whether the smell comes from oral source due to bacteria or otherwise, it has a great impact both personally and socially. It can negatively affect the individual’s personal, social, and business relationship which leads to poor self-esteem and increased stress. It is believed to be one of the most frequent reasons for seeking dental aid.

In most cases, about 85 to 90 percent, it is caused by the odor that originates in the mouth itself. Its intensity varies differently during the day, due to eating certain groups of foods such as garlic, onions, meat, fish and cheese. It is also due to obesity, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Bad breath is worse upon awakening after sleeping at night because the mouth is exposed to less oxygen and inactive. It may also be persistent which is called chronic in which it is more of a serious condition. It may be transient which often disappears after eating through brushing one’s teeth, flossing and rinsing with specialized mouthwash.

Currently, bad breath is not very well understood by most physicians and dentists, therefore effective treatment is not always easy to find and not so effective. A lot of strategies are being suggested to cure bad breath. In 1996, the International Society for Breath Odor Research or ISBOR, was founded to promote research on all aspects of bad breath.

Home care and treatment such as oral cleaning, eating healthy foods, chewing a gum, gargling, and maintaining water levels is one of the suggested strategies on dealing with bad breath. There are also ancient remedies available which are proven to cure this problem over the years. But still, the effectiveness of this cures and remedies still depends on the oral hygiene. Most important is that you personally is determined and disciplined to help yourself in quest to have fresh breath.