Bad breath?

Whether it’s called bad breath or halitosisdefine, nobody wants an unpleasant odor emanating from his or her mouth. In the simplest cases, this problem can be traced back to smoking, drinking alcohol or eating foods notorious for their lingering odors, including garlic, onions and anchovies. But sometimes the problem is caused by an underlying medical condition and can become chronic.

Bad breath usually results from the multiplication of odor-causing bacteria in the mouth. The drier your mouth, the more bacteria thrive. Any condition that reduces salivadefine production can contribute to bad breath – including advancing age, breathing through the nose, crash diets (the less foods you chew, the less saliva you produce), certain medications, even the time of day (‘morning breath’ occurs because salivation is considerably reduced during sleep).

Bacteria may also collect on the tongue, in food debris that accumulates on the dentures, and on the teeth – especially when plaque or cavities are present. If bad breath persists, underlying gum disease, a chronic sinusdefine infection or poor digestion of foods is often the cause.

How to check whether you have a bad breath

• Regularly experiencing a disagreeable taste is a sign that the breath leaving your mouth probably has an unpleasant odor.

• Many people with bad breath don’t taste or smell it themselves, so look for possible clues from others; do people step back when you speak, for instance. If you suspect a problem, ask someone you trust for an honest opinion.

• Bleeding gums signal gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums that can sometimes cause bad breath.

Handy ways to control bad breath

• Brush your teeth after each meal and floss them at least once a day. When you can’t brush, rinse your mouth out with some water.

• Use a moist toothbrush, a tongue scraper or a metal spoon held upside down to scrape off any coating on the back of the tongue and cleanse that area.

• Avoid strong smelling foods and alcohol.

• Stop smoking.