Bad Breath (Halitosis)
The commonest thing that may ruin the personal and social relations is bad breath. The dental term for halitosis is ‘fetor ex ore’ or ‘fetor oris’.1
Causes of bad breath (Halitosis)
Halitosis may be due to
1. Local factors within the mouth
2. Certain ingested food or drinks or medications
3. May be a due to of some underlying disorder.13
Local factors in the mouth that result in bad odour include:
- Retention of food particles
- Artificial dentures that have not been cleaned properly
- Healing extraction wounds
Certain ingested food or drinks
The odours of certain aromatic foods or alcohol are generally excreted through the lungs and are exhaled resulting in an odorous breath.
Underlying disorders such as
- Kidney dysfunction result in a distinguished odour.1
How to overcome bad breath
Maintenance of proper oral hygiene can prevent bad odour.
Following are helpful in clearing bad breath.
- Gargling with water or mouthwashes after food
- proper brushing and cleaning the tongue.
A dentist should be consulted if the bad breath is present for a long duration.
Life style changes to overcome bad breath
Some Home Made Remedies
- Make your own customized gargle at home. Mix equal proportions of sage, myrrh gum and calendula extracts and use the mixture for gargling three to four times a day. The mouthwash should be kept in a tightly sealed container and stored at room temperature.
- Add parsley to your diet. This is because it consists of chlorophyll which is a popular breath deodorizer. You can either chew it or make a juice of it adding some watercress to get rid of bad breath.
OTC Products for Bad Breath
Several over-the-counter medications are also available for the treatment of bad breath. However, they should not be taken without expert supervision. Such over-the-counter drugs might be able to cure it temporarily but for permanent treatment, you should visit a doctor. Your doctor is the only person who can tell you which drug would work for you and which won’t.
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: April 21, 2012