What’s even more humiliating and socially unacceptable than
the
remains of a spinach salad speckled across a toothy grin? Yes, it’s bad
breath.Halitosis. A foul odor emanating from the mouth. It’s not a
medical emergency, of course, but some 25 to 30 percent of the world’s
population suffer with this distressing problem.
The
origins of bad breath are not mysterious: dental cavities, gum
disease, poor oral hygiene, coated tongue (a white or yellow coating on
the tongue, usually due to inflammation) are among the most common.
Hundreds of bacteria live in our mouths and some of them—on the tongue
or below the gumline or in pockets created by gum disease between gums
and teeth, for example—create sulfurous smells.
Other
causes may include malnutrition (fat breakdown gives your breath a
fruity odor), uncontrolled diabetes, and dry mouth (saliva has an
antimicrobial effect). Infections such as sore throat or sinusitis, or
intestinal disorders, such as heartburn, ulcers, and lactose
intolerance, also result in bad breath.
Here are 11 ways to fight bad breath:
essential oil. Don’t swallow it! (Yields several rinses.)
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