Do You Really Know The Causes of Bad Breath?
Bad breath, or Halitosis, describes a condition most commonly characterized as noticeably unpleasant odors that are carried on the breath. Whether from an oral source or not, so-called "stinky breath" is very common, so much so that virtually every human being suffers from it to some extent throughout their lives. There is therefore a lot of community interest in how to cure bad breath and the range of bad breath remedies available.
Despite how common it is, Halitosis can have a significant and devastating personal, social and professional impact on those who actually suffer from it, or interestingly, believe they suffer from it. The latter case is known medically as halitophobia.
Most cases of unpleasant breath (probably as many as 85-90%) originate in the mouth itself, for a variety of reasons and in different degrees. Eating certain foods (such as garlic, onions, meat, fish, and cheese) is an obvious cause, but obesity, smoking, poor dental hygiene and alcohol consumption are also very common causes. Inactivity and the presence of lower levels of oxygen during prolonged periods of sleep are responsible for the appearance of stronger odors first thing in the morning... so-called "morning breath."
Breath odor may be controlled or even temporarily eliminated with eating, teeth brushing, flossing, or rinsing with commercially available mouthwash. Not surprisingly, dental hygiene is a significant contributor to longer-term solutions.
In cases of excessive or prolonged bad breath (chronic bad breath), the personal effects on self-confidence can be enormous. This is a very serious condition and can affect some 25% of the population to varying degrees. In fact, the negative effects for sufferers can even be a significant contributor to poor self-esteem and increased stress levels, sometimes leading to other medical conditions.
Understanding how to achieve fresh breath cures needs to start with at least some basic knowledge of the common factors and Halitosis causes that are involved. These include...
