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      Halitosis: Chronic Bad Breath

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      Medical conditions

      Frequent tonsillar infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, infections of the oropharynx, and gastrointestinal infections can all cause halitosis.

      Postnasal drip
      An over-accumulation of mucus in the sinuses, throat and back of the tongue can spread anaerobic germs. Also keep in mind that allergies, milk products and certain medication affect mucus production.

      Some drugs produce dry mouth and an overabundance of mucus. Antidepressants, high blood pressure medication, antihistamines, and decongestants are often the biggest culprits.

      Lung, kidney and liver disease can all cause halitosis, as can diabetes and some blood disorders. Such diseases will give off a metallic or uncommon smell from the mouth.

      Other Factors

      Stress has been known to cause bad breath because it causes dry mouth, and you know what that means (see above).

      Smoking deprives the mouth of oxygen, promoting anaerobic bacteria. It also causes gum disease.

      Like smoking, alcohol dries the mouth, and more bacteria means more smelly sulfur.


      Good dental hygiene
      Brushing your teeth properly can reduce halitosis drastically. One should never brush from side-to-side. The most effective motion is to start from the gum and stroke away from it (upwards or downwards, depending on which half of the mouth you're working on). And remember to brush twice a day.

      Don't forget to brush your tongue, the roof of your mouth and cheeks and as well. A large part of the bacteria live on the tongue so don't leave that part out.

      I already mentioned it before, but flossing simply cannot be overstated. It removes bits of food stuck between your teeth that brushing alone might miss. It also strengthens your gums, ultimately preventing gum disease.

      And don't be fooled by all the mouthwash ads; they do not prevent halitosis. All they do is mask bad breath for about 15 minutes.

      Tongue cleaners
      Tongue cleaners like the Tung Brush are brushes specially designed to remove germs and other critters that may be lurking around on the back of your tongue. They work great for people with chronic halitosis.

      Lifestyle and diet
      Reducing stress, not smoking, and drinking in moderation are factors that may reduce the risk of developing halitosis. Some say that chewing parsley or eating certain herbs like rosemary and cinnamon may prevent bad mouth odors.

      Chewing gum helps reduce bad breath because it forces the mouth to secrete saliva, as does drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day. Avoiding foods known to cause bad breath can also help — the typical culprits are garlic and onions.

      don't use a mask

      Masking odors as opposed to treating the root of the problem is a popular practice nowadays. Halitosis and bad breath seem to be no exception. But the condition is quite controllable; one simply needs to understand that halitosis is caused by other factors, and that eliminating them can solve the problem.


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