Practically everybody in the world has had bad breath at some point in their lives, although you can expect that not many will readily admit it. Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is actually a very common condition that may result from several possible causes, including inadequate dental hygiene, tooth cavities, gingivitis or smoking.



There are more than 400 different types of bacteria in our mouth which cause bad breath. These bacteria in the mouth release sulfur odors. Bad breath is stimulated by volatile sulfur compounds (vsc), which are released by the break down of proteins by the bacteria. Most of the odor is brought about by anaerobic bacteria, which grow on the back of the tongue. The beneficial effect of anaerobic bacteria is that they aid in digestion by breaking down proteins. People suffering from bad breath due to oral causes, are found to have abnormally high amounts of anaerobic bacteria in the oral cavity

Food that collects between the teeth, on the tongue and around the gums can rot, leaving an unpleasant odor. The things you eat contribute largely to your oral health care, including your breath. Items such as garlic and onions, or spicy foods, are absorbed into the bloodstream, become transferred into the lungs, and become expelled in the air you breathe. Until the body eliminates that food, the potential for it affecting a person's breath is present.

A very easy and effective tip in getting rid of bad breath is to simply brush your teeth after each meal. While eating, it is inevitable that some food bits will get stuck in between our teeth or gums. If not removed immediately, these will attract the smelly bacteria that cause bad breath. The action of brushing will remove these food particles and prevent bacteria from building up. You should brush your teeth after every meal if possible, especially if you eat foods that are rich in sugar or protein. Another tip to avoid bad breath is to make sure that you brush the surface of your tongue as well, especially the rear portion. People usually neglect to clean that back area of the tongue, turning it into a very good breeding ground for the bacteria that you certainly don't want in your mouth.

If you go to your local pharmacy, you can ask for a tongue cleaner that you can use to scrub the back of your tongue. However, you can also use an inverted teaspoon for this. Simply hold the teaspoon with the hollow part facing down and gently scrape the furthest part of the tongue. Some people even use their toothbrushes for this.

Another technique to keep your breath fresh it to keep your saliva flowing. You don't necessarily have to drool, but keeping the inside of your mouth wet will prevent the development of nasty-smelling oral bacteria. Surely you've noticed that your breath smells rather stinky in the morning. This is because saliva production is considerably reduced while you sleep. Without the continuous flow of fluids, bacteria will then build up and produce the rank smell that you will observe in your breath upon waking up in the morning.

Alcohol-free mouthwashes can also help in providing a temporary solution to bad breath. As an alternative, you can make your own mouthwash by using baking soda. Countless people have eliminated bad breath using this home remedy, although many of them admit that it's not the best tasting mouthwash in the world.

Hydrogen Peroxide is an effective rinse because it adds oxygen to the bacteria that thrive in an environment where little to no oxygen exists thus effectively killing the anaerobic bacteria. Although if you do not have this handy using plain water will also help loosen up the foods and particles that have become lodged between the teeth and gums which if you leave them there the bacteria causing the odors think you left them a buffet and will dine to their delight and to your horror as your breath becomes worse.

One handy item that can be used is the Waterpik. The purpose of this product is to knock out the food particles stuck in between the teeth and gums by using a strong jet of water. It has an adjustable pressure setting and comes with its own special tongue cleaner. The portable version comes with a battery and can easily be carried around. However, at the retail price of $35, this item might be too expensive for some people.