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Treatments for Bad Breath
Very bad breath
( 6 Jan 2010)
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Excessively bad breath is something extremely embarrassing and mostly comes with negative connotations. Most people tend to associate it with poor hygiene or unhealthy eating habits, but these are not the only causes, although often true. Medically the condition is termed as halitosis.
The problem stems from the oral area and can be caused by a variety of dental conditions. The condition can be quite unpleasant with a foul odor being emitted upon exhaling.
Apart from the obvious lack of oral hygiene or dental problems other causes could include, dryness of the mouth, the consumption of certain foods like onion, garlic, fish, cheese, and meat, due to smoking habits or the consumption of alcohol. The unpleasant odor that emanates from the mouth is caused as a result of the accumulation of proteins that are processed by oral bacteria. Bacteria exist in the oral cavity under normal circumstances, but under normal circumstances this is not problematic. Unrestricted multiplication and rapid growth of bacterial populations results in a problem. The tongue is therefore a common source of the problem, as the upper surface and inner part of the mouth tends to get relatively dry, providing bacteria with ideal breeding grounds. Bad breath could also be caused as a result of more serious conditions like diabetes.
As in the case of any other condition the only effective treatment would be through treating the cause. It is therefore important to identify the cause. Here are some natural methods that can help cure halitosis, depending on the relevant cause.
If the cause is poor dental hygiene you can count yourself lucky as this would be the easiest to remedy. Simply take effective steps to maintain oral hygiene – brush your teeth thoroughly, preferably after every meal and when you awake, and before going to bed; scraping of the tongue is another important practice you need to maintain.
Inadequate hydration is another common cause, in which case you need to simply keep yourself well hydrated by consuming adequate amounts of water and other clear fluids. This will help keep the mouth moist. Chewing on gum can also help as it will stimulate saliva production. Fluids are however necessary.
You can also rinse your mouth with a warm water solution, with baking soda added in. Chewing on guavas or green cardamom is also believed to help counter the problem.
If the problem is caused by any other condition or illness like acidity, digestive problems or even diabetes, then treatment needs to be directed at the cause.
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answered by a on 6 Jan 2010, 1:04:06
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