Taking Care of Your Breath
Oral and Dental Health No Comments »Bad breath is breath that has an unpleasant odor. It’s also known as halitosis. This odor can strike from time to time, or it can be long-lasting, depending on the cause.Millions of bacteria live in the mouth, particularly on the back of the tongue. In many people, they are the primary causes of bad breath. The mouth’s warm, moist conditions are ideal for the growth of these bacteria. Most bad breath is caused by something in the mouth. Some types of bad breath are considered to be fairly normal. They usually are not health concerns. One example is “morning mouth.” This occurs because of changes in your mouth while you sleep. During the day, saliva washes away decaying food and odors. The body makes less saliva at night. Your mouth becomes dry, and dead cells stick to your tongue and to the inside of your cheeks. When bacteria use these cells for food, they produce a foul odor.
The causes of bad breath are numerous. They include:
- Food
- Dental problems
- Dry mouth
- Diseases
- Mouth, nose and throat conditions
- Tobacco products
- Severe dieting
Bad breath can be reduced or prevented if you:
- Practice good oral hygiene.
- See your dentist regularly – at least twice a year.
- Stop smoking/chewing tobacco-based products.
- Drink lots of water.
- Keep a log of the foods you eat.
You can also buy a number of mouthwashes over-the-counter that claim to eliminate bad breath. However, keep in mind that many of these mouthwashes generally provide only a temporary way to mask unpleasant mouth odor.
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