---------
Home Remedies What is bad breath

What is Bad Breath (Halitosis) and How to Deal With It?

Unpleasant odors spread during exhaling process of breathing are classified as bad breath (Halitosis). The smell emitting from oral source or from other internal organs of the body and spreading out through the mouth has significant impact both personally and socially.

Bad breath is a very common affliction suffered by most at some time or the other. It can affect any one from young and old, rich and poor, males and females everyone.

In most cases bad breath originates in the mouth itself. Generally a particular type of bacteria residing in the back of the mouth on soft tissues particularly on the back of the tongue causes bad breath. These bacteria produce sulfur gasses which cause bad breath odor. Nose, tonsils and stomach are other sources of bad breath.

The bad breath is more intense at the time of waking up in the morning. Intensity continuously changes during the day as other activities like alcohol consumption, smoking and eating certain foods such as garlic, onions, cheese meat and fish etc, have impact on the bad breath.
Dryness of mouth increases bad breath. It  may temporarily disappear following eating, brushing  teeth, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash.

A persistent or chronic bad breath is a more serious condition. It can adversely impact personal, social and business relationships of an individual, leading to poor self-esteem and increased stress. It can even lead to social phobias, depression and loneliness.

Sufferers of chronic bad breath are conscious of the reactions they might get from others. Different actions and body languages of people who can’t withstand bad breath of the emitter will give negative signals that are stressful.  These actions may include people trying discreetly to hold their noses, moving away, opening windows, making excuses for not having to talk at close quarters etc.

Find out about its causes, learn about symptoms, prevention methods and home remedies for bad breath in the other related articles:

Other related articles