How to Stay Free From Mouth Odor (Halitosis)
Nothing is more embarrassing than having a bad breath or mouth odor. To worsen the situation most people with this very embarrassing condition are not even aware of their problem.
Unfortunately, most of them get to know when a close friend eventually summoned up the courage to inform them.
If they are lucky to sense or notice a friend or someone they are talking to is not comfortable around them, or is constantly shifting or closing his/her nose in front of them whenever they talk.
You can imagine the depth of embarrassment you will experience with mouth odor.
Halitosis or bad breath as it is popularly known could emanate from an oral or non-oral source.
Studies according to the American library of medicine have shown that at least about 50% of the general population had had bad breath (halitosis) in their lifetime.
How to know you are having bad breath (Halitosis)
- You would notice a foul-smelling pus, giving an offensive odor to your breath in most cases.
- Most times when you notice a bad taste in your mouth, it is an indication something is wrong with your breath.
- If you are sensitive enough you will notice people you talk to are hiding or closing their nose in front of you, as a result of the foul smell mouth odor coming out from your mouth.
- If you are lucky enough a close and honest friend will inform you of your problem (mouth odor).
- You could experience dryness in your mouth.
- Or coating on the tongue
The following reasons will help you understand why you are having mouth odor (Halitosis)
Eating a certain type of food can cause mouth odor
The process of breaking down food particles in and around your teeth can increase the activities of bacteria and cause a foul smell.
Eating certain foods with a strong smell such as onion, garlic, and spices can result in bad breath, mouth odor.
After eating and digesting these foods they enter into your bloodstream and are also carried to your lungs, as a result, it affects your breath too.
Dry mouth could result in bad breath and mouth odor
A condition known as xerostomia (dry mouth) can contribute to bad breath as a result of a decrease in the production of saliva in the mouth.
The saliva is necessary to moisten the mouth. Neutralize acids produced by sticky substances on the teeth (plaque) that can accumulate on the tongue and gums if not removed.
These cells decompose and can cause mouth odor.
Poor dental hygiene
Poor dental hygiene is one of the main causes of mouth odor. If you don’t brush and floss regularly, food particles will remain in your mouth. And when that happens it can cause bad breath.
If you don’t brush or floss regularly the resultant effects are the formation or built up of sticky substances on the teeth (plaque) which can cause odor or offensive smell.
Badly fitted dentures that have not been properly cleansed are also a common cause of mouth odor, especially in older persons.
Read: Fresh Food, Sanitation and Hygiene the Perfect Combination to a Healthy Life.
Infections in your Mouth or Surgical Wounds
Mouth odor can be caused by surgical wounds after oral surgery, such as tooth removal, or as a result of tooth decay, gum disease or mouth sores.
Smoking Cigarettes Could Be the Culprit
Smoking cigarettes has a resultant effect on the mouth, it dries the mouth and produces a bad odor, which can also affect your breath and cause mouth odor.
Tobacco users are also more likely to develop gum disease, another source of mouth odor.
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Presence of disease too can cause mouth odor
While mouth odor is often linked to something happening inside your mouth. It may also be a sign of some disease such as diabetes, liver or kidney disease.
If you have kidney or liver failure or diabetes or under some medications, you can also have a foul smell gushing out from your mouth. Invariably presence of certain diseases can prompt bad breath.
Intestinal or bowel obstruction
Intestinal obstructions are a dangerous medical condition that can occur when a blockage occurs in either your large or small intestine.
A blockage in your intestinal tract can cause breath mouth odor that smells like feces, not only as a result of feces trapped inside your intestines. But also due to food you have eaten that can’t move down your intestinal tract.
Anything you eat while unable to pass a bowel movement remains inside the digestive tract and ferments, causing bad breath and mouth odor frequently. And if proper attention is not given to these conditions it might lead to other complications.
How you can treat mouth odor
Follow a strict oral hygiene schedule
Brush at least twice a day with a very good quality toothpaste. To remove food debris or sticky substance (plaque) that may be trap in between holes or gap of your teeth or gum. Especially in the morning hours or after each meal.
Replace your toothbrush every two (2) to three (3) months to ensure you are using a good and vibrant toothbrush.
Also READ: Germs: How To Protect Yourself And Your Family From These Dangerous Enemies.
Also, ensure to rinse your mouth with a very good antibacterial mouth wash at least once or twice a day. To curtail the incidence of food particles that may be lodged on the surface or between your teeth. To avert bacterial infection and mouth odor.
Maintaining a good oral hygiene will certainly go a long in eliminating mouth odor
Visit Your Dentist Regularly To Avert Mouth Odour
A good breath contributes toward an attractive personality and a happy disposition. A bad breath or mouth odor usually arises from years of neglect and carelessness.
Visiting the dentists always will save you a lot of trouble. In my case, I make sure I visit the dentists on my birthday so that he or she can perform comprehensive professional teeth cleaning.
And in the process detect any complications or problems that may arise or may result in bad mouth odor or breath.
To Be Free From Mouth Odour Quit Smoking
Smoking itself causes an unpleasant smell from the mouth. Smokers and oral tobacco users are also more likely to have gum disease, another source of offensive smell or mouth odor
Brushing Your Teeth Correctly Helps In Preventing Mouth Odor and Bad Breath
Most people don’t brush their teeth correctly, and they keep wondering why they are still having bad breath or mouth odor.
Unfortunately, their problem starts with the way or manner in which they brush their teeth.
Brushing your teeth should be done in the direction in which they are growing. The upper teeth should be brushed downward, and the lower teeth should be brushed upward from below.
These movements should be done thoroughly for both the inside and outside surfaces. Brushing your teeth from the left-right direction will not keep your teeth and gum free from dirt and smell.
Brush your tongue regularly
The food particles or debris like coating that normally forms on your tongue can be a breeding ground for bacteria giving offensive smell.
To get rid of them, gently brush your tongue with your toothbrush when brushing your teeth.
Using a good toothbrush that will not hot your tongue but comfortable enough to reach most of your tongue.
It should be designed specifically to apply enough pressure across the surface of the tongue. This will help in removing bacteria, food debris, and dead cells that just brushing alone can’t handle.
Brushing your teeth will help reduce mouth odor and bad breath
Dentures should be properly fitted and cleansed
Badly fitted dentures that have not been properly cleansed are a common cause of trouble, especially in older citizens.
It is advisable to remove them at night and cleaned to prevent bacterial build up after a day’s meal.
Eat Food with Strong Smell with Caution To Reduce or Avert Mouth Odor
Eating food such as garlic onions and other spices with an unusually strong smell will always leave your breath with an offensive smell. Especially if you are talking or living with someone who is allergic to such smell.
What these foods does is that they enter into your bloodstream from there, they are carried to your lungs and affect your breath.
Conclusion
Mouth odor is not a pleasant condition. Nobody will like to be identified with a bad breath. The most important thing to do is to take proactive measures to avoid all the conditions that could lead to mouth odor.
You don’t have to wait for the condition of your mouth or teeth to degenerate before you visit your dentists.
Take necessary precautionary measures by following a strict dental hygiene as outlined above. And guiding your health jealously will pay off in the long run.
