Think about it for a moment. You brush, gargle and floss your teeth twice a day, everyday. Yes
your oral hygiene habits are impeccable. Yet, people are still keeping their distance whenever you speak. So, you've probably learned by now that even having the best oral hygiene habits will not stop problem breath. This post reviews the causes of and effective, simple and inexpensive treatments for your breath problem.
Just imagine how it would feel if you never had to worry about the effect that your breath has on people again because it's fresh, clean, and healthy. You can turn that picture in your head into a reality. Curing problem breath is possible but first you need to determine the cause.
The causes of problem breath include:
1. Dry mouth - Dry mouth occurs when the production of saliva decreases. This usually happens after a nap or a long sleep. It's worse for people who sleep with their mouth's open. When your mouth dries up it creates a breeding ground for more bacteria which intensifies your odorous breath. Dry mouth can also be caused by certain medications, including some antidepressants. However, do not stop taking your medication until you've consulted with your doctor.
2. Gum disease - Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is caused by a build up of plaque on the teeth. Plaque contains bacteria which intensifies problem breath and damages the gums.
3. Sinus issues- When nasal passages swell , mucus eventually backs up into the sinus passages. When the sinus passages get to full the mucus continues to backup into the mouth and throat causing the foul odor in your mouth.
4. Medical conditions - Your problem breath can occur because of medical issues created by but not limited to chronic lung infections, kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, and gastrointestinal infections.
5. Anaerobic bacteria - Approximately 90% of problem breath is caused by anaerobic bacteria that helps in the break down of food in the mouth but also produces volatile sulfuric compounds that smell like dirty socks and rotten eggs. These compounds particularly reside on and within the tongue.
If you're still not sure exactly what's causing the odor in your mouth check with your doctor or dentist as soon as possible. Now, assuming everything else checks out, let's examine the basics of curing bad breath caused by anaerobic bacteria.
The goal to curing bad breath is to create an environment in your mouth that will not support the growth of volatile sulfuric compounds. This can be done within 3 days and it can be done easily and inexpensively. Sound good ? Here's how.
Attack those volatile sulfur compounds in your mouth by modifying your oral hygiene habits and your diet.
Specifically, you need to change the way you brush and floss your teeth. You'll also need a tongue scraper to gently clean the residue off your tongue. Use homemade ingredients such as baking soda to brush your teeth and unsweetened cranberry juice to gargle your mouth. You'll need to drink plenty of water to prevent dry mouth and you'll need to eat plenty of fiber rich foods, for example, apples or oranges, to neutralize the volatile sulfuric compounds in your mouth.
Make absolutely sure that you follow this regimen on a daily basis to prevent any possibility of problem breath recurring.
