Hello there, welcome to Annie’s Corner. Today we will be talking about bad breath. Happy reading.

Have you ever tried talking to someone closely only for the person to cover their nose? Embarrassing right? Then you begin to wonder if there’s something wrong. You even go on to place your palm across your nose and let out a breath just to be sure you don’t have bad breath( or if you actually do).

Bad breath can result from poor dental health habits and may be a sign of other health problems. Bad breath can also result from the types of food we eat and other unhealthy habits.

Now let’s talk  about how what we eat affect our breath.

It happens that all the food we eat are broken down in the mouth and when we eat food with strong odour, the odour doesn’t go away until the foods have passed through our body.

Why Do Poor Habits Cause Bad Breath?

If you don’t brush and floss teeth daily, food particles can remain in your mouth, promoting bacterial growth between teeth, around the gums, and on the tongue. This causes bad breath. Antibacterial mouth rinses also can help reduce bacteria.
In addition, odour-causing bacteria and food particles can cause bad breath if dentures are not properly cleaned.

Smoking or chewing tobacco-based products also can cause bad breath, stain teeth, reduce your ability to taste foods, and irritate your gums.

What Are The Health Problems Associated With Bad Breath? 

Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth may be a warning sign of gum (periodontal) disease. Gum disease is caused by the buildup of plaque on teeth. Bacteria cause the formation of toxins to form, which irritate the gums. If gum disease continues untreated, it can damage the gums and jawbone.

Other dental causes of bad breath include poorly fitting dental appliances, yeast infections of the mouth, and dental caries (cavities).

The medical condition dry mouth (also called xerostomia) also can cause bad breath. Saliva is necessary to moisten the mouth, neutralize acids produced by plaque, and wash away dead cells that accumulate on the tongue, gums, and cheeks. If not removed, these cells decompose and can cause bad breath. Dry mouth may be a side effect of various medications, salivary gland problems or continuous breathing through the mouth.
Many other diseases and illnesses may cause bad breath. Here are some to be aware of: respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis, chronic sinus infections, postnasal drip, diabetes, chronic acid reflux, and liver or kidney problems.
What Can I Do to Prevent Bad Breath?
Bad breath can be reduced or prevented if you do the following:

• Practice good oral hygiene. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to remove food debris and plaque.

• Brush teeth after you eat (keep a toothbrush at work or school to brush after lunch). Don’t forget to brush the tongue, too.

• Replace your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months or after an illness.

• Use floss or an interdental cleaner to remove food particles and plaque between teeth once a day.

• Rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash twice a day.

• Dentures should be removed at night and cleaned thoroughly before being placed in your mouth the next morning.

• See your dentist regularly — at least twice a year. He or she will conduct an oral exam and professional teeth cleaning and will be able to detect and treat periodontal disease, dry mouth, or other problems that may be the cause of bad mouth odour.

• Stop smoking and chewing tobacco-based products. Ask your dentist for tips on kicking the habit.

• Drink lots of water. This will keep your mouth moist. Chewing gum (preferably sugarless) or sucking on candy (preferably sugarless) also stimulates the production of saliva, which helps wash away food particles and bacteria. Gums and mints containing xylitol are best.

• Keep a log of the foods you eat. If you think they may be causing bad breath, bring the log to your dentist to review.

Similarly, make a list of the medications you take. Some drugs may play a role in creating mouth odors.

Who Treats Bad Breath? 

In most cases, your dentist can treat the cause of bad breath. If your dentist determines that your mouth is healthy and the odour is not of oral origin, you may be referred to your family doctor or to a specialist to determine the odour source and treatment plan. If the odour is due to gum disease, for example, your dentist can either treat the disease or refer you to a periodontist, a dentist who specializes in treating gum conditions.

What Products Can I Use to Eliminate Bad Breath? 

An antiseptic mouthwash can help eliminate bacteria that cause bad breath. Ask your dentist about which product is best for you.

Hope you had a wonderful read? Every part of our health and wellbeing is important we must treat as such.

I will be talking to you next on home remedies to get rid of the yellowing of the teeth. Please do well to leave your questions and comments.