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Treating Halitosis
Who do i see to treat halitosis
(15 Sep 2009)
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Halitosis is basically a condition of bad breath and is possibly one of the most widespread problems. The abundance of products like mints and mouthwashes that clutter the shelves in supermarkets and stores is testament to this. The problem of halitosis is therefore one that is not only common, but one that most of us prefer to hide because of the negative connotations and embarrassment of bad breath.
Sadly most of these popularized and mass marketed remedies are merely temporary in their effectiveness. The only way to successfully treat a problem is by paying attention to the causes so that the treatment can address both causes and symptoms.
Halitosis can be caused by a variety of factors with the most common cause being poor oral hygiene and poor dietary habits. Certain dental diseases and conditions like abscess or tartar can also cause the problem. In most cases better hygiene and dental care practices can solve the problem without the need for any treatment as such. This of course leads to the bigger question of what constitutes good oral hygiene.
While many of us think that simply brushing our teeth and gargling each morning or twice a day should suffice, this is not necessarily the case. While it is important that you brush your teeth thoroughly after meals and floss on a daily basis there are other factors that come into play. One reason for bad breath is the build of bacteria in the oral cavity, particularly on the tongue. For this reason it is important that in addition to brushing your teeth you also scrape or brush your tongue as regularly as possible.
One of the most important aspects of dental care is frequent visits to a dentist. A visit to the dentist is something that most of us come to regard as a necessity only when faced with dental disease. What most do not realize is that periodic visits to the dentist are necessary for the purpose of check ups, cleaning and to ensure that there are no disorders and to detect warning signs before any condition progresses too far.
Dietary habits and inadequate hydration are also important causes of halitosis. Try to cut down on high sugar foods and sweetened drinks like colas. Avoid eating meals before bed time and always make it a point to rinse your mouth thoroughly before sleeping. Dryness of the mouth and tongue also contributes to bacterial growth and odor so make it a point to drink a lot of water and other natural fluids throughout the day.
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answered by S D on 15 Sep 2009, 4:30:44
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