Halitosis - causes of halitosis or bad breath

Halitosis or bad breath has many causes. Bad breath is often found in people with periodontal diseases, including gum abscesses and mouth sores. Bad breath can be acute (short term) or chronic (long term) depending on the cause and many people can be unaware of the fact that they have it until someone points it out to them.

The problem of bad breath for many can be fixed by maintaining good oral hygiene and maintaining regular visits to the dentist so as to avoid any dental conditions from developing. For others the problem can be a digestive one.

Another contributor to halitosis or bad breath can also be respiratory tract infections such as throat, sinus or lung infections. A more serious possible cause for bad breath could be due to systemic illnesses such as symptoms resulting from diabetes, lung disease, kidney failure or liver disease.

Prevention

The prevention of bad breath that is caused by dental problems can be solved easily with proper home and professional care which include:
 >  Brushing your teeth, tongue and gums after meals
Flossing daily
 >  Rinsing with a mouthwash approved by the American Dental Association (ADA)
 >  Visiting the dentist regularly (at least twice a year) for an exam and tooth cleaning.

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