Many people today are turning to the use of a halimeter to fight bad breath by getting an accurate reading of how bad their breath is and just what compounds are causing it to be bad in the first place. But what is this instrument, and just how can you use a halimeter to fight bad breath? Is it something you use at home, and how does it work?



A halimeter is a little machine that you use that takes a reading of your breath through a special tube you blow into. It looks something like a desktop version of the breathalyzer machines that police officers use. To use a halimeter to fight bad breath, you would check your breath on a regular basis and let the machine dissect your breath to figure out the many different chemicals and enzymes it contains. The most common causes of bad breath in hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, and dimethyl sulfide. By realizing what chemicals are in your breath that's causing its odor you can then better address the problem at its roots.

A dentist can help you use a halimeter to fight bad breath by giving you a thorough exam, taking a health history, and using a chart or record to note improvements in your situation. By recording the different enzymes and chemicals that are in your breath he or she can understand if the treatment you're using is working, and can also get a better idea of where your bad breath is coming from. Using cover-ups such as gum and mints just are not going to fix your bad breath completely, but understanding where the odor is coming from and tracking the effectiveness of your treatment options is going to help eliminate the problem completely.

Unfortunately you cannot purchase your own halimeter to fight bad breath at home; this is something only your dentist can use. Many bad breath clinics also use a halimeter to fight bad breath by having their clients come in on a regular basis for a reading and recommendation. If you have chronic halitosis, you should not hesitate to speak to your dentist about using one of these machines to monitor your breath and figure out the problems with it. If he or she does not have one in their office, they can probably recommend another practitioner that does, so definitely make an appointment with your dentist and ask.