Page 74 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

72 COMMON CONDITIONS: MOUTH, NOSE, AND THROAT PROBLEMS

Bad breath

Unpleasant-smelling breath, known medically as halitosis, is usually due to poor mouth hygiene. Particles
of food left in the mouth and between the teeth are broken down by bacteria and cause an offensive smell.
Particular foods and drinks, such as garlic and beer, can make your breath smell. Bad breath also tends to
occur when your mouth is dry, and is often a problem right after waking up. Other possible causes include a
sinus or throat infection, diabetes, lung disease, or a weight-loss diet.

What you can do yourself
DRUG REMEDIES
The following simple measures will help you tackle
bad breath. Make them part of your daily routine. Mouthwashes (see MOUTH AND THROAT
TREATMENTS, p.187) usually contain flavorings and
● Brush your teeth before going to bed and when
extracts such as menthol to freshen the breath. They
you get up. Brush your tongue as well. Use may also contain fluoride to protect against tooth
a soft-bristled brush and a fluoride toothpaste, decay and gum disease. Don’t give mouthwashes to
and make sure you rinse thoroughly afterward. children because they could easily swallow them.
● Floss your teeth once a day to remove plaque Breath fresheners (see MOUTH AND
(see PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE: ORAL HYGIENE, p.74). THROAT TREATMENTS, p.187), in the form of sprays and
little strips that dissolve on the tongue, can be an
● If you wear dentures, take them out at night
effective short-term remedy for bad breath. They
and clean them thoroughly, as recommended by mask the breath with a pleasant (usually minty)
your dentist. You should also clean removable smell; the effect usually lasts for about 20 minutes.
braces and attached dental appliances as advised
by your orthodontist. Breath freshening
Use a breath-freshener
● Make sure you eat breakfast because it spray as a temporary
stimulates saliva, which helps to wash away measure to mask
bacteria that may have built up overnight. lingering smells
after a spicy meal.
Fruit and vegetables also stimulate saliva,
so include plenty of them in your daily diet.
● Take a toothbrush to work or school so you
can brush after meals. If you can’t clean your
teeth between meals, chew sugar-free gum,
which encourages saliva flow.

● Mouthwashes and breath fresheners have only
a temporary effect but can be a useful short-term
measure (see DRUG REMEDIES, right).
● Avoid spicy or strong-smelling foods. When you
can’t avoid these foods, finish the meal with some Seek medical advice
fruit to freshen the mouth.
Arrange to see your doctor if:
● Drink at least 6–8 glasses of water each day.
Avoid alcohol, tea, and coffee; they have a ● You have tried the above measures for
dehydrating effect that can encourage bad breath. about a week and bad breath persists
● You also have a toothache, or inflamed
● Don’t smoke. Cigarettes are a major cause
or bleeding gums
of bad breath. ● You feel generally unwell and think this
may be contributing to bad breath