Bad breath, medically known as halitosis, is a common health issue. Bad breath is usually simple and preventable but dietary factors such as tobacco and alcohol intake, poor oral hygiene, gum diseases, tooth decay or mouth infections make it serious. Also, infections in the lungs, sinuses, or airways can also cause bad breath due to the presence of nasal secretions that may drain into the mouth. Then coughing up sputum from lung infections can also cause bad breath.
Most times, people who have bad breath can hardly tell. However, the most obvious sign or symptom of bad breath is noticing an unpleasant smell coming from the mouth. Other signs and symptoms of bad breath include an unpleasant or sour taste or changes in taste, dryness of mouth, and a coating on the tongue.
You get rid of bad breath by practising proper oral hygiene. That is, brushing the teeth and tongue, and flossing, keeps the mouth healthy and can often get rid of bad breath, at least in the short term. Other things to do include:
- Use mouthwash may temporarily mask bad breath and can help with oral hygiene.
- Chewing sugarless gum or sucking on sugar-free mints may temporarily mask bad breath odour
In more serious cases, you need to see a dentist or doctor for a diagnosis especially when your bad breath is accompanied by persistent dry mouth, sores in the mouth, pain or difficulty with chewing or swallowing, broken teeth or dental pain, white spots on the tonsils, and/or fever or fatigue.