Life Line

Treating bad breath

Dear Readers:

Twenty two-year-old J. Allen from Gordon Town is very embarrassed over his bad breath.

First a friend and then a family member remarked on his bad breath recently. Although he brushes his teeth after every meal and gargles several times a day, J. is aware of an odour. He asks Lifeline what can he do to get rid of this recent and unwanted problem.

HALITOSIS, or bad breath, can certainly be embarrassing and can lead to avoidance behaviour where a person is afraid of speaking face to face with other people because of fear of being offensive. Bad breath can be the result of several factors. Some of these are:

post-nasal drip

sinusitis

tonsillitis

dental caries

gum disease

diabetes

liver failure

kidney failure

lung abscess

acid reflux

Poor hygiene or digestion

More often, however, bad breath is related to either poor oral hygiene or poor digestion. A dentist should be consulted to make sure that decaying food particles are not trapped in teeth cavities and causing a bad mouth odour.

All sites of dental decay and infection should be treated. This process could result in the resolution of the bad breath.

However, if it persists, see a doctor who will check for sinus, pharyngeal or tonsillar infection which can also cause bad breath, as well as treat any stomach disorders which could contribute to the problem. Gases produced within the upper gastro-intestinal tract can be perceived as a bad oral odour.

If more systemic disorders are suspected such as diabetes or liver disease, these can readily be checked for with blood investigations. Bad breath can also be related to digestive problems so particular attention should be paid to the diet.

Sugar should be limited and healthy, whole foods should be ingested rather than any processed food. The nutritional supplement, Acidophilus can be taken daily to encourage healthy digestion.

Digestive enzymes can also be used. Gargle with a hydrogen peroxide and baking soda solution to deodorise the mouth and get rid of bacteria.

Occasionally, the perception of Halitosis is due to emotional problems related to poor self-esteem and is really only a perceived problem. Counselling may be necessary.