Bad breath or technically called as halitosis is one of the major concerns about oral health of
the people in the country. According to a large scale survey conducted across India in 2020,
about 11.48 % percent of the respondents suffered from bad breath.
Causes
The causes of bad breath may be –
– poor oral hygiene,
– tobacco (chewing or smoking),
– foods having a peculiar strong smell like onion, garlic or coffee,
– dry mouth,
– crash diets,
– infection or inflammation in the nose, throat or sinus and some diseases like liver
disease or GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease).
What can you do about it?
– Brush your teeth twice a day.
– Flossing-
Flossing your teeth will remove the food particles entrapped in the spaces between
teeth.
– Use of mouthwash- Dilute mouthwash with equal quantity of water and gargle for
atleast a minute.
– Chewing gums or mints containing xylitol
– Stay hydrated- Drink lots of water to avoid dry mouth.
– Diet- Eating foods with more fiber content will naturally cleanse your oral cavity.
If your diet consists of sticky foods like burgers or pizzas, brushing becomes
necessary.
– Treatment of infections related to throat, nose or sinus, if any.
– Treatment of any gastroesophageal diseases.
– Visit your dentist, if bad breath persists.