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Halitosis, or bad breath, can be caused by tooth decay, gum problems, smoking, or digestive issues. It can also be a sign of certain medical conditions. Treatment involves addressing the underlying cause, and good oral hygiene practices such as daily flossing and proper brushing. Electric toothbrushes and tongue scrapers may also be helpful.
Halitosis is the medical term for offensive breath. Bad breath is usually caused by tooth decay, gum problems, smoking, or mild digestive upset. It can also be a sign of uremia, cirrhosis of the liver, or lung or sinus infections.
Someone who likes acetone-peppermint-like breath can be a sign of diabetes. For people following the Atkins diet, sweetish breath can mean they’ve reached ketosis, a fat-burning state in the body. In this case, bad breath is considered desirable since it means the body is metabolizing fat instead of carbohydrates. According to Dr. Atkins, it normally takes about three days into the induction phase of your diet to reach ketosis. Induction is the initial phase of the diet and the lowest in carbohydrates. Currently, only a limited number of low glycemic index carbohydrates are allowed.
Successful treatment depends on removing the underlying cause. Mouthwashes and toothpastes can mask bad breath but usually don’t remove it. In severe or persistent cases, consult a doctor.
Poor oral hygiene can also contribute to bad breath. Plaque, a sticky substance that builds up on your teeth, can also be a cause. Daily flossing, which removes plaque, is strongly recommended for everyone, as is proper brushing. Teeth should be brushed after every meal and flossed at least once a day.
Electric toothbrushes, which can vibrate hundreds of times a minute, are often more effective at controlling plaque and cleaning teeth than traditional toothbrushes. Head size is also important. Models with small, round brushes may be more effective at reaching all parts of the mouth. For maximum effectiveness, brush for at least two minutes each time. This is the amount of time dentists believe it takes to thoroughly clean your teeth.
Bad breath can also result from sulfur compounds forming on the tongue. For this reason, some people commonly clean their tongue with a small plastic device called a scraper or tongue cleaner. For best results, stick your tongue out and scrape from back to front.
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