Health Tips

 Health Tips

 

Kiss Bad Breath Good-Bye Bad breath (halitosis) is a common problem which often comes from the activity of bacteria in the mouth. Although there is no way of knowing for sure, most adults probably suffer from bad breath occasionally, with perhaps a quarter suffering on a regular basis.   Bad breath is a sure-fire way to send potential suitors scrambling for the exits. Chances are, that yummy chicken you enjoyed at lunch is still hanging around in your mouth, which can cause less-than-pleasant-smelling bacteria to form, especially on your tongue. Our bad-breath weapon of choice is a tongue scraper, which some say resembles a medieval torture implement but is actually a disposable U-shaped plastic tool with tiny ridges on one side. It's very easy to use, and it will help clear away any leftover food and odor-causing bacteria that have settled on your tongue. Stating at the back of your mouth, gently drag the scraper along your tongue two or three times, rinsing it in between each pass. Follow up by drinking a glass of water to flush out any other bacteria that have formed in your mouth.     Problem Possible cause Odour after fasting, dieting, sleeping, taking medications, prolonged speaking, exercise  Dryness in the mouth, insufficient saliva flow  Gums bleed and/or smell  Gum problems, poor cleaning between teeth  Odour upon talking  Postnasal drip on back of tongue  Odour at onset of menstrual cycle  Swelling of gums  Small whitish stones with foul odour appear on tongue  Tonsilloliths from crypts in tonsils  Odor ppears suddenly from mouth of young children  Onset of throat infection  Odour appears suddenly from nose of young children  Foreign body placed in nose  Odour appears suddenly rom entire body of young children  Foreign body placed in nose  Taste or smell of rotten fish  Trimethylaminuria (rare)  Odour in denture wearers  Dentures kept in mouth at night or not cleaned properly Odour from nose  Sinusitis, polyps, dryness, foreign body, hindered air or mucus flow  Bad taste all day long  Poor oral hygiene, gum disease, excessive bacterial activity on tongue