Halitosis is a medica
l term for a condition more commonly known as bad breath. This condition can be caused by a variety of factors, from poor dental hygiene habits to side effects from certain medications. Fortunately, it is possible to combat bad breath if a person is willing to make the changes necessary to do it.
Identifying the Causes of Bad Breath
One of the first steps in fighting a case of halitosis is to identify what caused it. In many cases, simply eliminating the cause of the problem is enough to reduce bad breath significantly. An individual who suffers from chronic bad breath may need to make several changes before being successful at decreasing the effects of halitosis.
Dietary Factors
Certain foods can lead to halitosis, so a person should consider their diet when trying to pinpoint the cause of their halitosis. Someone who eats onions and garlic on a regular basis could develop bad breath in a short amount of time. Eating some dairy products, such as cheese or milk, may cause a person’s breath to smell unpleasant. Acidic foods and beverages can also lead to bad breath, so a person with a chronic halitosis problem might want to avoid or cut back on tomatoes, orange juice, pineapple, and coffee. Peppers may also cause unpleasant breath. Even consuming a diet low in carbohydrates may result in a case of halitosis.
Tobacco Use
Another common cause of unpleasant breath is the use of tobacco. Whether a person chews tobacco or smokes it, one of the many side effects is bad breath. Quitting a tobacco habit can greatly reduce many health conditions, including chronic bad breath.
Health Problems
Some diseases could actually be diagnosed because a person has unpleasant breath. Gum disease is a leading cause of bad breath; acid reflux can also cause halitosis. Some cancers may cause bad breath, and even some kidney and respiratory conditions can result in breath that smells bad. It’s a good idea to speak with your physician about what medical conditions could be contributing to your bad breath, or if your halitosis might be a sign of a problem.
Dental Hygiene Habits
Poor dental hygiene may be one of the top factors involved in chronic bad breath cases. When a person does not brush and floss on a daily basis, bacteria grow rampantly in the mouth. This growth of bacteria can quickly result in bad breath. A good preventative practice is to brush two times per day and floss at least once per day. Regular cleaning visits at the dentist’s office are also critical in the fight against tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath.
Medications
Many people are not aware that their medications could be causing their breath to smell unpleasant. When the inside of a person’s mouth becomes chronically dry, bad breath can become a resultant issue. Dry mouth can be a side effect of certain medications, such as diuretics, antihistamines, and insulin shots. A person with bad breath may want to discuss current medication use with their doctor or a pharmacist in order to determine whether a specific medication could be causing halitosis.
On the other hand, some medications may actually help in eliminating bad breath. If a person has a sinus or tooth infection that is causing bad breath, antibiotics may be prescribed to get rid of the infection. Taking medicine to fight acid reflux may also help to reduce bad breath.
Having chronic halitosis can be embarrassing, and it can even indicate a more serious health condition. The first step in fighting halitosis is to discover what is causing it. Once the cause has been determined, it’s fairly straightforward to make a few changes and see real improvement.
