Rid of Bad Breath

Getting rid of bad breath is a challenge that never seems to go away. Though almost all of us have an unpleasant taste in the mouth from time to time, and an offensive odor on the breath, an unfortunate few have a really bad case of chronic halitosis - although we've discovered what generates the odor, we still don't always know why, or how to permanently fix the problem.

When we're fighting bad breath, in some cases the answers are clear: gum disease and dental decay are well known causes of that bad odor. It's not the inflammation and cavities themselves that smell; it's the bacteria that are able to proliferate under those conditions. These are anaerobic bacteria - bacteria that grow in places where there is no oxygen, like in pockets and folds of receding gums, between unhealthy teeth, and on the back of the tongue. When they metabolize proteins for energy, they give of the odor of typical bad breath. To get rid of bad breath in this scenario, the first step is to treat the problems in the mouth.

Similarly, if there are sinus problems, or post nasal drip, fighting bad breath involves trying to make the sinuses and nasal passages healthier places. That constant flow of mucus and dead cells from inflammation down the back of the throat fosters the growth of the same anaerobic bacteria found in gum disease. If the problem can be healed or even improved, it may get rid of bad breath without any other action being needed.

Sometimes, however, it's not clear what's causing the problem, or attempts to remedy the situation don't get rid of bad breath. In these cases, all one can do is treat the symptom rather than the underlying cause. First, visit you dentist and doctor to be sure there isn't something you've missed and to confirm that you really do have bad breath (a lot of people actually think they have halitosis when they do not). If medical specialists confirm that you are fighting bad breath and that you are basically healthy, you'll need to experiment with a few breath products to find something that works for you.

Remember that the odor is caused by anaerobic bacteria - the best approach to get rid of bad breath is to focus on eliminating these bacteria. Fresh breath products approach the problem in different ways. Some contain chemicals like chlorhexidine that are antibacterial and kill the offenders directly. Others deliver oxygen, or the mineral zinc, both of which make the mouth an unwelcoming place for anaerobes. Another type of breath freshener focuses on physical removal of bacteria for fighting bad breath. Some, of course, combine the different approaches.
Fighting bad breath can be a long ordeal, but a step-by-step approach to the problem will eventually yield results.