General Health Information

Oral malodor or halitosis is popularly known as bad breath.
Suffering from bad breath can give you a social handicap, and can often
be distressing. Food intake are frequently connected with bad breath
problems, although they can only be factors that can give way to the
problems. Bacteria in the mouth is the leading cause of bad breath or
halitosis, and proper oral hygiene can help in take balance these
bacteria to avoid developing bad breath. Aside from foods, there are
other triggers or causes of halitosis.
Smoking, alcohol and dentures can cause bad breath, making oral hygiene
essential in halitosis prevention. Disease and health conditions can
also cause halitosis, such as:

* periodontal or gum disease that causes teeth to become loose,
thereby creating pockets in the gums which harbor bacteria and leads to
bad breath
* chronic lung or sinus infections
* breathing through your mouth because of enlarged tonsils or adenoids
* mouth infections such as candidiasis
* systemic diseases such as diabetes, liver disease, or kidney disorders
* pregnancy
* not brushing or flossing regularly
* certain medications that reduce the flow of saliva and dry out the mouth

Will smoking causes halitosis
problems as many advertisements claim or is this only part of the
truth? While it is undeniable that one of the primary behaviors known
to cause bad breath/halitosis problems is smoking, this is really only
one aspect of the problem. While smoking does not cause halitosis
directly, it and other behaviors which contribute to dry mouth problems
will worsen bad breath problems and help increase the populations of
anaerobic bacteria that are directly responsible for the condition.

Many sufferers are reluctant to seek halitosis treatment for their
problem because they are so embarrassed. Most halitosis sufferers have
no idea that they have a bad breath problem unless somebody informs
them. Chronic halitosis
is a condition in which a person produces an unpleasant odor carried on
the breath and is unable to remedy it by regular oral hygiene
techniques. It can have a negative impact on the lives of as many as
50-80 Million individuals in the United States alone. To cure halitosis
that is temporary in nature, there a few things you can do right now
that will help such as brushing your teeth and using mouthwash after
eating meals or snacks It is possible for chronic halitosis to be a
symptom of a much larger medical issue such as diabetes.

Many of the so-called causes of halitosis
are actually little more than contributing factors to the condition.
Halitosis is caused by sulphur-producing bacteria that live within
cracks of the tongue or on the surface of your throat. The key for
finding a halitosis cure is to first find the cause and treat it
accordingly. There are in fact only three main causes of chronic
halitosis: bacteria, blood chemistry, and major disease or medical
problem such as diabetes, liver disease, etc.. However, there are a
number of contributing factors that may be viewed as the causes of
halitosis but are not the true culprits. In cases of chronic halitosis,
some believe it can be cured or diminished by improving oral hygiene
and monitoring food intake carefully. Most causes of halitosis can be
treated at home with good oral hygiene.