Introduction and Definition of Bad Breath
.Bad breath is the bane of polite society. It’s a curse, especially for those who are dating or work in jobs which put people face to face.
Bad breath is called halitosis by the medical profession. The amazing thing is that most times the person with bad breath is the last to realise it.
We will discuss the causes of bad breath, especially chronic bad breath, the bad breath cure, and the prevention of it returning or starting in the first place
Causes of Chronic Bad Breath
There are four main factors that cause chronic bad breath:
Germ Build up on Teeth or Dentures
Poor oral hygine allowing germs to build up around and on the teeth is the number 1 cause of bad breath. Those germs produce toxins and gases that stink.
Bad Breath Due to a Coated Tongue
The top surface of your tongue has a textured surface that traps germs and food particles. This will cause a coating on your tongue that looks yellow/white or black/brown. The tongue should be pink. The yellow/white color is due to food and germs trapped in the little surface projections of your tongue. Old food and germs make for a bad odor!
Black/brown tongue is seen most often in smokers. The yellow/white, smelly coating turns brownish-black, and now you’ve added stale cigarette smell to old food and germs. To stop bad breath, STOP SMOKING! Sorry to yell there but this bad breath remedy could also prevent lung and oral cancer, emphysema, and the effects of second hand smoke on your family and friends.
Post-Nasal Drip/Sinus Problems
People with seasonal hayfever, year-round allergies, and anatomic problems in their nose and sinuses can develop chronic sinus disease or chronic sinusitis. This very common condition causes runny mucous produced by the lining of the nose and sinuses to drip down the connection between the nose and the back of the throat. That runny mucous can get infected. Germs again! The drip is usually worse at night and causes a horrible morning bad breath.
Acid Reflux (GERD)
GERD happens when stomach contents climb back up, bring partially digested food and stomach acid with it. I call it ARP(almost really puked). At least that’s the way it feels, especially when you lie down at night. And it’s not conducive to romance. It smells.
Bad Breath Remedy
My checklist to stop bad breath:
1. Have a professional dental cleaning and go regularly, usually every six months but it can vary from every 3 months to once a year . Keep them clean with DAILY brushing and flossing. Your dentist may exen prescribe a rinse with chlorhexidene in it it kills the germs that causes plaque.
2. Brush your tongue. Use the toothbrush or get a tongue cleaner form the dental section of the pharmacy. STOP SMOKING. (Sorry to scream again but wanted to make sure you heard.)
3. If you have post-nasal drip, see your M.D. You may need medication to prevent allergies or antibiotics for infection.
4. For acid reflux (GERD), talk with your M.D. It is very common in the 40 to 50 age group and is easily treated with a pill that stops the stomach acid , raising the head of your bed, and losing weight if you need to.
Most other measues are just cover up tactics, akin to spraying room deodorizer to remove the stench from a smelly room. Over the years, I’ve found that if folks take care of the four main causes, they can cure bad breath.
