Halitosis Prevention Tips

Imagine the embarrassment when a friend you are talking to suddenly recoils back as you come closer. Or an intimate moment when your partner shows reluctance to kiss you. Halitosis, or bad breath, could be the reason spoiling those precious moments with the person you love!

Only rarely does offensive breath originate from the stomach, like for example, when a gastric reflux causes digested food coming up from the stomach into your mouth. Over ninety percent of halitosis originates from the mouth. Even in the cleanest mouth there are millions of bacteria that thrive on the microscopic food particle in the mouth and produce acid. Odorous gases are produced in the mouth as a result of the anaerobic ingestion of food by the bacteria. The acids destroy tooth enamel and result in tooth decay over a period of time. Plaque can also develop on the tooth roots under the gum and cause breakdown of the bone supporting the tooth. The more areas where plaque collects both above and below the tooth gum edge, the greater the amount of anaerobic bacterial activity and so the greater the volume of offensive gases which are produced.

Halitosis is thus caused by poor oral hygiene. Some ways to take care of your teeth:

• Properly brush (preferably electronic) twice a day after meals the tongue, the cheeks, and the roof of the mouth to remove bacteria and food particles. Floss between teeth at least once. Pay special attention to the areas where plaque collects both above and below the tooth gum edge. Use a mouthwash after brushing.
• Use oxidant or fluoride tooth pastes.
• Visit the dentist twice a year to clean the teeth and remove the plaque. Ask your dentist if a dental sealant is appropriate for you. Dental sealants are a thin, plastic coating that are painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth to protect them from cavities and decay.
• Limit the number of between-meal snacks. Avoid snacking on sugar-based products ( containing refined sugars such as Sucrose or Glucose). Refined sugars greatly increase bacterial growth in the mouth and this increase in plaque results in the production of greater volumes of offensive gases. If you need a snack, choose nutritious foods such as plain yogurt, cheese, fruit, or raw vegetables. Vegetables, such as celery help saliva neutralize plaque-causing acids. Chew parsley after meals, it is very rich in chlorophyll, a natural mouthwash.
• Ensure you have a balanced diet with adequate intake of vitamins, particularly vitamin C. A balanced diet should include sufficient mineral content, particularly Zinc. Zinc and compounds of this metal are believed to effect plaque development. Tomato juice is particularly helpful in combating halitosis due to chemicals contained in the juice which reduces plaque activity and anaerobic gases.
• If wearing bridges for teeth alignment, check with your dentist how best to clean them. Similarly, dentures should be taken out at night and cleaned thoroughly.
  Chewing sugar-free gum may stimulate saliva to help prevent dry mouth. Drink plenty of water.
• Do not skip the breakfast, as it can stimulate the production of saliva, which can kill the germs.

Other causes of halitosis are: diabetes, drugs, heavy metal accumulation, infection, liver disease, dry mouth, stress and smoking. Your physician can tell you if you are taking medications that can cause dry mouth or if you have other medical conditions that may predispose you to dry mouth. Certain medications prescribed for treating depression or controlling blood pressure can give you bad breath. Consumption of alcohol will also cause reduction in salivary flow due to dehydration. If you have difficulty in breathing through the nose, you will tend to breathe through your mouth, causing it to go dry. In all these conditions, rinse the mouth with clean water, drinking half to one litre of clean water (especially if you have consumed alcohol!) and then eating some bread or cheese to stimulate natural saliva production. Citric fruit juices (such as fresh orange juice) should be avoided early after waking due to slow saliva flow which is unable to neutralise and protect teeth from the strong acids in citric juice (Acids can erode tooth enamel).

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