Health Guide©

BAD BREATHE (Halitosis)

What can you do:

• Brush and floss your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day. Brush the tongue as well.
• Drink plenty of liquids to wash food particles from the mouth.
• Used a mouthwash or breath freshener.
• Stop smoking.

Consult a dentist if the recommended remedies do not remove the unwanted smell.

What your dentist do for you:

• Check your mouth thoroughly for dental decay, gum disease and other oral problems and treat them.
• Refer you to a doctor, if necessary.

Prevention Tips:

• Practice good oral hygiene and have a dental checkup twice a year. If you wear dentures, be sure to clean them after every meal. Remove the dentures and immerse them in water while sleeping at night.
• Blow a runny nose with the mouth open; otherwise, it may push the infected discharge into the sinuses and possibly infect them.
• Avoid smoking.

Home Treatment:

Proper dental hygiene, especially flossing, and not smoking will prevent most cases of bad breathe. If this does not eliminate the odor, a visit to the doctor or dentist maybe helpful. Little evidence is available about the medical effectiveness of mouthwashes for the specific problem of bad breathes. Mouthwashes simply perfume the breath, but do not treat the underlying problem. If you smoke, stopping is imperative.

What to expect at the doctor's office:

The doctor will thoroughly examine the mouth and the nose. A culture maybe taken if the patient has a sore throat or mouth sores; antibiotics maybe prescribed. If there is an object in the nose, the doctor will use a special instrument to remove it.

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