We all know someone who is affected by bad breath. Maybe you even are that someone! Who knew breathing could be so ugly!
However, while bad breath is a common enough problem, it’s also one that’s very tricky to clear up, in many cases. In this article, we look at what causes the problem, the myths and misinformation out there, and everything else you should know about bad breath, before you try to solve the problem.
- Bad breath is also known as halitosis.
- A high percentage of halitosis cases are caused by oral problems – but not all of them. Between 10 and 15 percent of bad breath cases are caused by something other than your mouth!
- You can develop halitosis even if you brush and floss regularly – in fact, in most cases; halitosis is caused by the gums and tongue – not the teeth!
- Short term, temporary halitosis can be caused by what you eat. We all know how strong smelling foods like onions and garlic can cause trouble!
- Bacterial conditions in the mouth (and elsewhere, including the throat and the stomach) can cause bad breath too.
- Dry mouth – where too little saliva is produced for one or the other reason – is another common cause of halitosis. This is often why chewing gum can help – not only the scent, but because it stimulates saliva production.
- A postnasal drip (mucus from the nasal passages, flowing down the throat) is another common cause of this problem. People who suffer from this particular problem will need to find medication that ‘dries up’ the mucus, if they want to solve the problem.
- Bad breath can be a sign of a serious oral problem, such as gum disease, or periodontal disease.
- If you haven’t had your tonsils taken out yet, then an infection in them may also be causing your problem.
- Systemic diseases, which affect your whole body – not only your mouth –, can also cause bad breath. These include diabetes, bronchial infections, certain types of liver disease, and others.
- Most commercially available products do not solve the problem – they simply mask the odour for a while. Once they wear off, the problem is once again noticeable.
- Self-diagnosis of bad breath is almost impossible! Ask someone you trust, or visit a doctor, who can use a device called a ‘halimeter’, and other equipment, to diagnose the problem, and the cause. This will measure sulphides when you breathe, and give you a clear indication.
As you can see, there’s a lot more to bad breath than first meets the eye. In most cases, it’s nothing to worry about, however, if it’s persistent, or if it is extremely bad, it might be wise to look into the cause.
Most bad breath products on the market treat the symptom – the halitosis itself. However, if you’re not finding and treating the root cause, you will probably find that as soon as they’ve worn off, the problem returns.
Bad breath can be a sign of something more serious, and masking it with a commercial product indefinitely is never a good idea. Rather do a little more research, or visit your doctor. Find out what is causing your bad breath, and treat the root cause, rather than the symptom.
