Breath Health is the proper care of your mouth with good oral hygiene and regular visits to your
dentist. The results of improper care is bad breath or halitosis. Bad breath is unpleasant, especially when you are
standing close to others or talking with someone.
Halitosis is caused by either bacteria in your mouth or by a medical condition. The mouth is warm and that makes it an ideal
place for bacteria to grow. The mouth produces a waste product, volatile sulphur compounds, which is what makes
a skunk's spray odorous. These sulphur compounds are caused by anaerobic bacteria. Anaerobic bacteria, bacteria
that grow without oxygen, are the cause of most dental infections.
The most common causes of bad breath are:
Smoking
Bad dental hygiene
Medications, such as Norvasc
Medical conditions, such as diabetes
High protein diets
Low intake of water
Diet low in fresh fruits and vegetables
Dry mouth
Food, such as garlic and onions
To cure bad breath, you have to practice breath health. There are several ways to do
this:
Regular brushing and flossing
If you smoke, quit
Brush your tongue
Drink plenty of water
Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables
Limit your intake of high protein foods
See your dentist regularly for check-ups
There are a number of products on the market that can help you get started in resolving your problems with bad
breath.
Good breath health practices will eliminate bad breath if you don't have a medical condition. If a
change in your diet or habits does not solve the problem, you should see your dentist or doctor. Your dentist will
check for infections in your mouth. Your doctor will check for medical conditions that may cause the problem.