Halitosis Causes
Halitosis is the medical term for common bad breath. Usually, most of us do experience bad breath problems once in a while. And most of these bad breath problems can be taken care of with a bit of improved oral hygiene and some changes in our diet and lifestyle. However, sometimes, halitosis may prove to be chronic and may demand medical intervention, in which case a visit to the dentist will be necessary. Although halitosis is not a very serious disease it may create a lot of trouble in your social life and can result in lowered self esteem and general social awkwardness.
Halitosis can be caused by a single factor or a combination of several contributing factors. The most cause of bad breath is the lack of adequate oral hygiene. Poor oral hygiene leads to the formation of plaque and cavities, which in turn becomes the breeding ground for bacteria. These bacteria also flourish on the decomposed food particles that are left behind in the mouth when proper brushing and flossing is not followed. Besides poor oral hygiene, halitosis can also be caused when salivary glands in the mouth are underactive or you suffer from frequent dehydration. Use of alcohol and tobacco can also make you suffer from halitosis. The foods you eat can also have an impact on the chances of getting halitosis. High protein foods, sugar-rich foods, and foods containing volatile oils are especially known to produce a foul odor in the mouth. Excessive consumption of garlic, onion, cheese, dairy products, caffeinated beverages, and certain sea foods can make your breath malodorous.
The first step towards remedying halitosis is to follow a proper oral hygiene. Brush at least twice a day after meals, and floss your mouth regularly. Also make it a point to clean your tongue daily with the help of a tongue cleaner. If a tongue cleaner is not immediately available you can also rub your tongue with the toothbrush bristles. It is important to clean your tongue because a lot of residual food particles can get stuck on the tongue resulting in a foul smell of the mouth. Gargle your mouth regularly with a lukewarm saline solution as this will help to dislodge residual food as well as combat bad breath. You can also add a few spoons of apple cider vinegar to this homemade mouthwash. Vinegar is acidic in nature and eliminates and inhibits the growth of bacteria. In place of common salt you can also use baking soda (also known as sodium bicarbonate) in the lukewarm water. Alternatively you can use a dilute solution of hydrogen peroxide to which a few drops of clove oil has been added as a mouth wash.
Chewing on parsley, mint leaves, basil leaves, or cloves can also give some temporary relief in halitosis.
