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Why We Get Bad Breath

 
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Did you ever watch those toothpaste or toothbrush commercials where the guy leans forward to kiss his girl and the girl makes a face as if she is going to gag?
I have been a clean teeth fanatic all my life. I cannot stand beside someone who has bad breath, even if it is my closest friend. Sometimes we have to duck our faces or just hang them low in order to avoid the bad breath coming from the person who is standing in front of us, just so we don't hurt their feelings by making a face. I have had so many incidents where I couldn't stand the foul smell coming out of a teacher or a friend or a cousin. On these occasions I felt like I should have the courage to let them know that they have bad breath. If I said that bad breath can take away our favorite people from us would you believe that? Yes, I am right, I have seen people moving away from their loved ones-- boyfriends, girlfriends, daughters, mothers, husbands etc. As the years went by I became distant from my own mother because I wanted to avoid the smell coming from her mouth. My husband smoked all his life and no matter what he does to keep his breath fresh I could never have a good mouth to mouth kiss.

There are several reasons for people to develop bad breath such as dry mouth, dentures, foods, brushing habits, age, disease, illnesses, braces, common colds, fever, and smoking, among others. For example:

1. When we sleep in the night or take afternoon naps our body tends to produce less saliva in order to aid in our breathing process. This causes the mouth to dry and could cause the mouth to smell. Dry mouth or xerostomia is also common in people who speak for long periods of time.

2. A foul smell could be caused in people who wear dentures. Food particles could be trapped in between the gum lines. Bacteria develops because of this trapped food and not only causes a foul smell but also gingivitis.

3. Eating different foods could cause bad breath, including things like onions, garlic, ginger, tea with milk, coffee, etc. As the food moves through the digestive system and is absorbed by the blood and goes through the circulatory system, the odors of foods like onions and garlic are absorbed by the lungs and breathed out, resulting in bad breath.

4. Smoking not only causes plaque and discoloration of the teeth but the smell of nicotine stays on and is absorbed by the tissues causing smoker's breath.

5. Bad brushing habits like skipping brushing, not flossing, not using a proper brush or paste, or not going for a dental checkups when required could leave one's breath bad.

6. Age causes bad breath as the saliva production is decreased in the mouth. This reduction of saliva increases the dryness in the mouth. Saliva acts like a natural cleaner as it washes down the food particles and other bacteria that could cause infection and bad breath.

7. Different illnesses and diseases could cause bad breath due to the use of medications or dry mouth. Common colds and sinus problems result in post nasal drip. The phlegm that deposits in the back of the mouth could cause a foul smell that is produced by the bacteria in it. Fever dries the mouth, and that could cause bad breath.

Keeping our mouths wet by drinking plenty of water, brushing our teeth, flossing in between the teeth to keep gums healthy, and using an appropriate toothpaste and mouthwash will not only keep our teeth healthy but also save us infections caused by bacterial growth and bad breath. Keeping dental appointments to care for problems like gingivitis, infections, cavities and just regular cleaning of plaque and tartar build up due to smoking could save one from embarrassing breath problems in public or near the loved ones because, OUR LIFE MATTERS.

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EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Try Oraltech Labs, It worked for me, although I will say it's not just do this and "bam your breath is cured" they make you change your entire mouth cleaning habits. So you end up doing it all their way. But in the end it becomes a daily habit. It covers Post Nasal Drip and Tonsil Stones as well thankfully. If you have bad breath you'll know it messes up your whole social life. And I suppose the best thing is they don't make you go out buying "special" products for the rest of your life. Just don't get it and then think you'll do what it says “now and then” because it's either all or nothing, and trust me getting rid of my room clearing faecal breath meant I was all in. Alex’s, J. USA.

January 17, 2011 - 9:41pm
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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.

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