Many people have bouts of bad breath has explained by the effects of strong smelling food and drink. Bad breath can be a sign of a health problem such as gum disease, tooth decay, or diabetes. It is usually caused by bacteria mixed with food bits and saliva, which form a smelly layer on the teeth, called plaque. Smoking is a major culprit too. A dry mouth adds to the problem, causing "morning breath". The mouth's warm, moist conditions make an ideal environment for these bacteria to grow. About 80 percent of bad breath is caused by something in the mouth.
Common causes of bad breath:
- Drinks and foods like orange juice, soda, cheese, onion, garlic.
- Poor dental hygiene, not brushing or flossing regularly.
- Use of tobacco or smoking.
Symptoms of bad Breath:
- Fool odor from the mouth.
- Bad taste in the mouth.
- Inflamed and bleeding gums.
- Teeth are coated with film or plaque, food debris trapped between teeth, pale or swollen gums.
- Symptoms of diabetes, lung disease, kidney failure or liver disease.
- Sore throat, swollen lymph nodes ("swollen glands") in the neck, fever, stuffy nose, a greenish or yellowish nasal discharge, a mucus-producing cough.
Prevention of bad Breath:
- Brush at least twice a day and floss daily.
- Brush your tongue every morning especially the back.
- Use mouthwash daily to kill bacteria that brushing might miss.
- Have your teeth cleaned every 6 months and see a dentist once a year.
- Don't smoke.
- Go light on alcohol and coffee and other strong smelling foods.
- Chew sugarless gum after the meals when you cant brush, or rinse your mouth out with water.
- Drink at least 8 glasses of water everyday.
Home remedies Bad Breath:
Common home remedies for bad breath are:
- Gently clean the top of your tongue with the toothbrush.
- To flush away mucus and bacteria, try gargling with saltwater.
- For a quick cover-up eat fresh parsley or mint, or use a mouthwash.
- Chew some cardamom seeds to sweeten your breath.
- Add the juice of half a lemon to a glass of water & use as a last rinse.
Identifying the need of Home Remedies
- If your bad breathe lasts even after keeping your teeth clean for over a week
- If you have a toothache with a bad breath.
- If your gums are inflamed and bleeding, this could be a sign of a gum disease.
- If you also have a cough or fever and mucus.
