Social embarrassment due to Bad Breath!

If man was a logical creature: his last suspect—namely, his mouth—was going to be the first; whenever he thinks that someone, or, something is smelly.

Mokokoma Mokhonoana

Hey fam! I hope you all are doing fine and staying safe during the time of this pandemic. Isn't it strange that how a tiniest virus can affect the whole big world? And the geniuses are still finding the way out,and so does the bacteria, yes you read this right,bacterias can also affect your very own world. Ohkay relax I am not saying this to scare you nor I am hinting about any new disease or something, but here I am talking about-your world! Your life! Imagine, the moment you open your mouth, and the people dissappear, maybe politely, but they do!

So if you're the one who is getting through this and just in case, if you didn't realise it earlier,then I think this is the perfect timing to widen up your eye balls and recheck this by smelling up your own breath.

Yes! Bad breath,also called as oral malodors/halitosis.This is what I am talking about.This one thing can affect the individuals world! 

The everyday “morning breath” most people wake up with is not halitosis. Neither is the five minutes of bad breath you’ll experience after eating the occasional spice-heavy exotic meal. True halitosis is a persistent smell that does not go away after brushing, flossing and rinsing. It can be demoralising and embarrassing, so much so that many people are reluctant to even mention it to their dentist. But it’s also fairly common, and thus, quite treatable.

So no fear when I am here, as I will provide you all the necessary information and at the end of this you'll be able to figure out the following:-

#Are you the one with halitosis?

#How common this is? 

#What actually causes halitosis/bad breath? 

#How to overcome the causes? 

So let's begin! Almost everyone experiences bad breath once in a while. But for some people, bad breath is a daily problem, and they struggle to find a solution. Well you all know what bad  breath is, but I always like to start with the basics.

#What is bad breath or oral malodor? 

-Oral malodor or halitosis is a condition characterized by unpleasant odors emanating from the oral cavity. 

#How common it is? 

-It is common; most people have some element of transient unpleasant oral odour at some time. 

In the developed world, 8-50% of people perceive that they have persistent recurrent episodes of oral malodour. 

All ages can get affected by halitosis. It may lead to low self confidence and social interactions. 

#What actually causes halitosis/bad breath?

-Halitosis has a number of possible causes, 80% of which are oral: cavities, gum problems, cracked fillings and less-than-clean dentures are all likely suspects. 

Some common causes of halitosis include the following:

• Food: Food is a primary source of bad odors that come from the mouth. Some foods, such as garlic, onions, spicy foods, exotic spices (such as curry), some cheeses, fish, and acidic beverages such as coffee can leave a lingering smell. Most of the time the odor is short lived. 
• Other foods may get stuck in the teeth, promoting the growth of bacteria and dental plaques, which causes bad breath odor. Low carbohydrate diets may also cause "ketone breath." These diets cause the body to burn fat as its energy source. The end-product of making this energy is ketones, which cause a fruity acetone-like odor on the breath when exhaled. This fruity odor in a diabetic might indicate uncontrolled blood sugars.
• Tobacco products:    Smoking and chewing tobacco can leave chemicals that remain in the mouth. Smoking can also precipitate other bad-breath causes such as gum disease or oral cancers.
  
• Poor oral health: When a person does not brush or floss his/her teeth regularly, food particles remaining in the mouth can rot and cause bad odors. Poor dental care can lead to a buildup of plaque in the mouth, which causes an odor of its own. Plaque buildup on the teeth can also lead to an unhealthy condition called gum disease. When plaque hardens, it is referred to as tartar (calculus),which holds bacteria that can irritate the gums and lead to gum disease.
• Health problems: Sinus infections, pneumonia, sore throat and other throat infections, the common cold,  flu, thrush, bronchitis, postnasal drip, diabetes, acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD), lactose intolerance, other stomach or digestion problems, and some liver diseases or kidney diseases may be associated with bad breath.
• Dry mouth:aka xerostomia, dry mouth can also cause bad breath. Saliva helps moisten and cleanse the mouth, and when the body does not produce enough saliva, bad breath may result. Dry mouth may be caused by salivary gland problems, connective tissue disorders (Sjögren's syndrome), medications, or breathing through the mouth.
• Allergies: Many medications used to treat allergies can cause dry mouth, another cause of halitosis. In addition, post-nasal drip is a common allergy symptom that can result in bad breath. 
• Mouth infections: Cavities, gum disease, or impacted teeth may cause bad breath.
• Dentures or braces: Food particles not properly cleaned from appliances such as braces can rot or cause bacteria and odor. Ill-fitted dentures may cause sores or infections in the mouth, which can cause bad breath.
• Medications: Many medications, including antihistamines to treat allergies and diuretics, can cause dry mouth , which can cause bad breath. Other medications that may lead to bad breath. 
• Pregnancy: Being pregnant in itself does not cause bad breath, but the nausea and morning sickness common during pregnancy may cause bad breath. In addition, hormonal changes, dehydration, and eating different foods due to cravings may also contribute to bad breath during pregnancy.
• Other causes of bad breath: Objects stuck in the nose (usually in children), alcoholism, and large doses of vitamin supplements may also cause bad breath.

#Are you the one with halitosis? 

-Now, no need to go in deep thoughts and looking for the ways how to keep check on your breath because before you, they will know and when they will know, you will definitely know.

Others may notice someone has halitosis before the person does, so another person may tell him or her about their bad breath or give them a larger than normal personal space. 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 

-unpleasant or sour taste or changes in taste,

-dry mouth, and

-a coating on the tongue.

#How to overcome the cause? 

The best method to reduce halitosis is good oral hygiene. This ensures that cavities are avoided and reduces the likelihood of gum disease.

It is recommended that individuals visit the dentist for a check-up and cleaning twice a year.

The dentist may recommend a toothpaste that includes an antibacterial agent or an antibacterial mouthwash.

Alternatively, if gum disease is present, professional cleaning may be necessary to clear out the build-up of bacteria in pockets between the gums and teeth. 

-Home Remedies:

This is the first thing we all surf for first as we all have this 'self-treating bug' within. So,Here you go :

Brush the teeth: Be sure to brush at least twice a day, preferably after each meal.

Floss: Flossing reduces the build-up of food particles and plaque from between the teeth. Brushing only cleans around 60 percent of the surface of the tooth.

Clean dentures: Anything that goes into your mouth, including dentures, a bridge, or a mouth guard, should be cleaned as recommended on a daily basis. 

Brush tongue: Bacteria, food, and dead cells commonly build up on the tongue, especially in smokers or those with a particularly dry mouth. A tongue scraper can sometimes be useful.

Avoid dry mouth: Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol and tobacco, both of which dehydrate the mouth. Chewing gum or sucking a sweet, preferably sugar-free, can help stimulate the production of saliva. If the mouth is chronically dry, a doctor may prescribe medication that stimulates the flow of saliva.

Diet: Avoid onions, garlic, and spicy food. Sugary foods are also linked to bad breath. Reduce coffee and alcohol consumption. Eating a breakfast that includes rough foods can help clean the back of the tongue.

P. S:- If breath odor persists despite controlling these factors, it is recommended that an individual visits a doctor for further tests to rule out other conditions.