Chances are, you dont have bad breath and are simply suffering from an anxiety many of us share. To be sure, ask a loved one to confirm that your breath is OK.
If your breath isnt so fresh, ramp up your dental hygiene. Brushing—even if you do it regularly—isnt enough, nor is using mouthwash or breath mints, which just mask the problem. You need to brush and floss daily. Flossing can get at those food particles that tend to collect bacteria and rot. Brush for at least two minutes, and scrub all surfaces of your teeth and tongue. (Odor-causing bacteria grow there, too.) And keep a kit—small toothbrush, travel-size toothpaste, and floss—in your purse.
If the odor persists, see your dentist to rule out gum disease plaque, and gingivitis , all of which can cause bad breath and lead to other health problems. In fact, some studies have found a connection between dental diseases and poor heart health, so its important to have a thorough oral examination.
Also, have a look at your diet. Garlic, onions, and even coffee (it contains lots of acids that encourage bacterial growth) are notorious for causing bad breath; cut them out for a week to see if the odor subsides. And, finally, if youve recently had a cold or suffered from postnasal drip, see your doc. That bad-breath smell could be a sign of an infection, and you may need a good dose of antibiotics to help clear it up.
Dr Tango is Consultant Physician with facts and Figures Email- caremed001@gmail.com Blackberry Pin - 74282d21.Follow us on twitter @Care_Med
Most times when people have bad breath after brushing it may be because they don't brush well. I like to give an analogy that when a shirt is dirty, it's either because it has not been washed or it was washed but wasn't washed properly. The same thing happenens in the mouth. If a patient doesn't have tooth decay, upper respiratory tract infection, gum disease, xerostomia but has halitosis it's either because he's not cleaning his mouth or he's not cleaning properly. When a person uses a brush for about 6months there's no way that can clean his mouth properly. So you get such a person worrying about halitosis despite "brushing thoroughly". A good Oral hygiene pratice will require you to change your brush every 3months or once the bristles turn over.
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