When you have bad breath (also known as halitosis or malodor), you expel an odor that is not only foul to your own senses but also to those around. Sometimes, the person who has bad breath does not even know they have it because it is often difficult to pick up on one's own scent. Nonetheless, the problem exists and is very real. The fact is that bad breath can be embarrassing for anyone that has it, especially if it is chronic and the person is unable to rid themselves of it. In some cases, bad breath has ruined relationships, forcing individuals to seek out different ways to get rid of bad breath. Fortunately for those who are suffering from bad breath, there are solutions that will help you find your way back to a fresh, clean mouth.

What Causes Bad Breath?

The mouth is home to a complex mix of bacteria. These bacteria form communities in crevices of the tongue, gums, and teeth. Bacteria thrive on food particles leftover in the mouth. Once they feed on those particles, chemical byproducts are produced that ultimately create an odor. A large percentage of cases of reported bad breath (90 percent to be more precise) are caused after bacteria and food particles are allowed to collect too long in the mouth. The bacteria will eventually cause bad breath and other oral health issues such as periodontal disease and gingivitis. Other causes of bad breath may include dirty dentures, cracked fillings, dry mouth and cavities.

What are the Symptoms?

Most people can't recognize when they have bad breath and can't smell the odor coming from their own mouth. Sometimes it takes another person to realize you have bad breath and then tell you about the odor. However, the primary symptom to look out for that may indicate bad breath is a bitter, metallic taste in the mouth that does not go away even after brushing. Constant dry mouth may also be a symptom of chronic bad breath, which is often caused by drinking or gargling alcohol or products that contain alcohol, smoking and dehydration.Click here to learn more about dry mouth.

How do you Get Rid of Bad Breath?

Various treatments are available to help people get rid of bad breath that include proper oral hygiene and the use of quality oral health products.

The first step in getting rid of bad breath is to ensure proper oral hygiene. In fact, bad oral hygiene is one of the leading causes of bad breath due to a build up of bacteria and food particles in the mouth. Brushing your teeth two to three times daily with TheraBreath® PLUS Toothpaste (Extra Strength) is a great start to getting rid of bad breath. Flossing daily is another way to get rid of bad breath, as this action helps to remove food particles and bacteria that are typically not removed with brushing alone.

The daily use of mouthwash is recommended in the morning and at night to help get rid of bad breath. Alcohol-free mouthwash such as TheraBreath® Oral Rinse or TheraBreath® PLUS Oral Rinse is best for combating bad breath. Mouthwash products that contain alcohol are known to worsen bad breath, as the alcohol acts as a drying agent, leading to dry mouth (a cause of bad breath). It is important not to have a dry mouth, as the mouth needs saliva in order to flush out bad breath bacteria and maintain fresh breath. Mouthwash products from TheraBreath® contain active ingredients that help attack anaerobic bacteria in the mouth and encourage the production of saliva, which is critical to ridding the mouth of bacteria and germs. Click here for Alcohol-Free Mouthwash products by TheraBreath®.

Nutrition and diet is another available method to help get rid of bad breath. Certain diets can give you a bad oral odor such as very low carbohydrate diets or extreme fasting. Increasing the intake of vegetables and fruits, while avoiding spicy foods, garlic or onions are other ways to get rid of bad breath through diet. The reason why certain foods may cause bad breath is due to the natural digesting process, which emits the food's odors as they are broken down in the stomach.

Other ways to help get rid of bad breath and ultimately eliminate it is by staying hydrated, chewing sugarless gum, not smoking or using tobacco products, cutting back on coffee, and cutting back on alcohol.

Getting rid of bad breath takes good oral hygiene, including an alcohol free mouthwash and fluoride toothpaste, and a good diet. Getting regular dental and medical checkups is also critical to not only fresh breath, but to overall oral health.