Bye-bye bad breath

You lean over to whisper something to your friend and you can tell by the look on your friend's face that something is up.

Could it be your breath? Millions suffer from bad breath. But what is unfortunate is that most people with bad breath are not aware of it.

A whiff of bad breath can hint at matters more serious than a spicy meal or a skipped tooth-brushing.

It could indicate a medical condition.

Dr Cheriachen Thoppil, Shams Moopen's Dental Practice, says; “Most cases of bad breath appear to be due to the breakdown of proteins by a variety of micro-organisms."

"Several of the breakdown products are foul-smelling gases.

“Bad breath is largely due to dental plaque between the tooth and the gum and deep grooves due to [an] extracted wisdom tooth, which serve as a prime reservoir for bacteria,'' he says.

Cause of malodour

Dry mouth, which is also a cause of malodour, is a condition where enough saliva is not produced and this keeps the body from flushing reeking bacteria out of the mouth.

“Too much sulphur in the mouth also causes bad breath. It is important that you use a good antiseptic mouth-wash and rinse your mouth as often as possible during the day,'' Dr Thoppil says.

Bad breath can be much more than a temporary embarrassment.

Ali (name changed), a PR executive, had bad breath problem, to the point where, he said, some people would cover their nose when they were around him.

And since his work involves a lot of interaction with people, it was taking a toll on his self-confidence.

He says: “Now, I brush my teeth during the day and I am careful that I don't swallow anything. I also avoid onions and
garlic.''

Diet contributes

It's not just flossing, brushing and scraping that can save one from bad breath.

What you eat is what you are at the end of the day.

Sajita Sunil, a nutritionist at Emirates Diagnostic Centre, says: “A balanced diet is critical to maintaining good [breath]. It improves the cholesterol profile, reduces gastric acidity, prevents constipation and other digestive problems.''

“Sucrose [table sugar] is most commonly associated with cavities,'' Sajita says.

Children must also maintain good oral hygiene, as they eat a lot of sweets and chocolates.

An unhealthy mouth often signals an unhealthy body. For example, experts see a direct relation between gum disease and heart disease and rheumatic arthritis and gastrointestinal problems.

But if it is just bad breath, which is due to poor oral hygiene, it can be controlled.

Dr Thoppil says: “If anyone has cavities in the teeth, it should be filled before fasting to prevent food accumulation inside it. Also, removal of tartar and plaque by a dentist is advisable. This will reduce the bad breath problem to a large extent.

“Brushing one's teeth after every meal, use of a tongue scraper and use of a good anti-bacterial mouthwash helps.''

So make sure you're taking care of your teeth and mouth properly.

Busting Myths

Three things you may have heard about bad breath but which are not true:

• Mouthwash will make bad breath go away. Mouthwash only gets rid of bad breath temporarily. If you do use mouthwash, look for an antiseptic (kills the germs that cause bad breath) that reduces plaque, too. Also, ask your dentist what he or she recommends.
• As long as you brush your teeth, you shouldn't have bad breath.
  The truth is most people only brush their teeth for 30 to 45 seconds, which just doesn't cut it.
  To sufficiently clean all the surfaces of your teeth, you should brush for at least five minutes and at least twice a day.
  Brush your tongue, too — the bacteria love to hang out there.
• If you breathe into your hand, you'll know whether you have bad breath.
  Wrong! When you breathe, you don't use your throat the same way you do when you talk.
  When you talk, you tend to bring out the odours from the back of your mouth (where bad breath originates), which just breathing doesn't do.

Remedies

• Parsley: Chewing parsley relieves bad breath completely. It's an old remedy but was forgotten with the invention of gum and mints. Why do you think they put it on your plate at restaurants? Carry some in your purse or pocket.
• Mint leaves: Chew on mint leaves and freshness is yours.
• Baking soda: Sprinkle some in your hand, wet your tooth brush, dip brush in baking soda, then brush your teeth and rinse with water. Baking soda eats odours but after you use the baking soda, use your regular tooth paste for a fresh feeling.
• Clove: Chew a clove or if it's too spicy for you, keep it in your mouth. It's best for bad breath (even toothache).
• Hot cup of tea: Drinking a hot cup of tea (preferably unsweetened) helps. This particularly useful if the bad breath is caused by dry mouth and for “morning'' bad breath.
• Fresh lemon and salt: Use juice of half a lemon mixed in lukewarm water to wash your mouth. Or wash your mouth with lukewarm salt water before going to bed.
• Sunflower seeds: Chew a handful of these and when finished, drink a glass of water. You won't even know you had anything at all.