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There are few things in the world that can make you feel more self-conscious than discovering that you have bad breath moments after talking to someone of importance. It’s easy enough to reach for a stick of gum or a swish of mouthwash, but will that really be enough to cure the problem?
The Issue May Not Be In Your Mouth People will often assume that bad breath would naturally be a result of an unclean mouth. However, when he or she stops to consider the fact that bad breath tends to be incurable after a meal with a heavy dose of garlic, that theory doesn’t really make sense. The garlic that is re-lived the following day is not stemming from the tongue or gums, instead it has been digested by the body, released into the blood stream, and made its way to the lungs. With each exhale, the odor that has survived the commute through the body, escapes through the mouth or nose. Of course, that means that mouthwash isn’t likely to correct the issue.
When it is the Mouth to Blame While it could be the odorous foods that you consumed the day before, when nothing stinky comes to mind, then it might be that the issue is between your teeth. Proper oral hygiene is the leading way to prevent bad breath because any leftover food particles that are allowed to breakdown between the teeth or on the tongue will produce bacteria and a smelly after-effect. When it is allowed to breakdown over a longer period of time, the bacteria growth can lead to plaque build-up and decay, which means a stronger odor production. If it is left without attention, then the plaque can lead to gum disease. Not only will that result in lingering issues of foul breath, it can also cause much more serious issues and should be treated as soon as possible. Regular trips to the dentist – twice per year, ideally – can also help to keep plaque at bay and can greatly reduce the chances of developing gum disease. Even those who are religious about their oral hygiene practices can still struggle with bad breath. This might be a result of dry mouth, a condition in which there is too little saliva production. When the fluid is not being produced, it cannot wash away food particles and dead skin cells properly, leading to periods of bad breath.
Are You Sick? There are some health problems, unrelated with the mouth, that can cause a foul odor. For instance, a mere cold that results in post nasal drip can cast a bad smell forward. Some other illnesses that might leave you in this sort of stinky predicament are bronchitis, diabetes, acid reflux, and certain types of kidney or liver conditions. If the dentist cannot help you correct the issue, then it may be time for a visit to your primary care doctor to determine the cause of the foul breath and to correct any underlying problems as well.
Best Practices For Reducing Bad Breath So, you now know the many reasons that bad breath can occur, but what can you do to prevent it? First and foremost, keep your mouth clean and healthy. That means brushing, flossing, and rinsing at least twice each day. In some cases, it may be necessary to pack a travel kit with a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss for use at school or at the office after lunch. It is also imperative to see the dentist regularly. Catching any potential problem at an early stage can make efforts to correct it easier. If you are a smoker or you use smokeless tobacco, then you are significantly increasing the likelihood of bad breath and many other health concerns, as well. Today is a great day to stop. Drinking a lot of water can reduce the impact of dry mouth, can help with post nasal drip, and can keep the mouth rinsed throughout the day. If, after doing all of this, you still struggle with bad breath, then speak with your Waco dentist and your doctor. It might be a sign of something more serious.
Mouth (2) : taken from – http://www.flickr.com/photos/alishav/4253056121/Author: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en












