What is Halitosis?

Halitosis is a term that refers to bad breath, and it can have a variety of causes. This
condition can be very embarrassing and cause the sufferer to have social
awkwardness, because they want to avoid exposing others to the smells that are
coming from their mouth. Is there a way to control this issue, and if so, would it be
possible to improve this condition? Here a few of the common causes of halitosis, and
how you can limit breath odor.

What Causes It

There are a few different things that can influence unpleasant odors that come from
your mouth. One of the primary ways that it can quickly become an issue, is the lack of
brushing and flossing your teeth. When you eat, tiny food particles can become trapped
between your teeth. These food particles then begin to rot, which can cause an
unpleasant odor. If you eat sugary foods, the sugars can feed bacteria and release
acids that attack your oral health. When these build to a certain level, bacteria will
release odors that cause a foul smell in your mouth.

Smoking can also influence the appearance of odor in the mouth. Not only does the tar
and nicotine leave a smell, but it also gives bacteria a way to attach itself to the mouth
and a sticky field that is ready for the growth of bacterial colonies. Smoking and
hydration deficiency can lead to a condition known as dry mouth. When the mouth isn’t
properly hydrated, bacteria and other pollutants are less likely to be dislodged and
removed from the mouth. This will quickly lead to even further bacterial growth and
offensive odors.

How to Fight It

One of the main ways that you can fight this build up, is to brush your teeth regularly
with a more natural toothpaste. This will help you to dislodge and remove anything that
is sticking to areas in the mouth that can be reached by the brush. Directly following
every brushing session, it is also a very good idea to floss your teeth to better remove
the food particles and bacteria from between teeth. Rinse your mouth thoroughly, and it
may be necessary to repeat this process. If you keep daily maintenance, you may be
able to reduce the appearance of halitosis.

Don’t forget to also ask your dentist what else can be done to help with your bad breath
and a cleaner mouth in general.