Bad Breath Remedies

Bad breath affects almost everyone. But you usually can't tell if you have it by yourself. Could halitosis be the reason your relationships seem strained? Here are some of the causes and cures of this widespread health issue.

Diagnosing and treating bad breath are not activities you automatically share with a friend. But in the case of halitosis, going it alone is not the best way. How embarrassing it might feel to ask a friend to smell your breath. "Excuse me, I'm taking a survey. Could you honestly rate the quality of my breath?" But it's the only way you can know for sure. So you have to get over your embarrassment and ask a friend, your spouse or your dentist.

Halitosis usually begins in your mouth where various kinds of oral bacteria live. Different factors affect the growth and activity of the bacteria. For example, morning breath has a lot to do with increased bacterial activity early in the morning. Overnight, your mouth turns into the perfect environment for bacterial growth. As they multiply at an alarming rate, they give off foul-smelling chemical compounds in the process.

A tasty bad breath remedy is to eat more citrus fruits. Citrus acts as a stimulant for the flow of saliva. Additional saliva in your mouth serves two important functions. First of all, the extra moisture helps to wash away any remaining food particles that might provide a food source for bacteria. Second, the chemical makeup of the saliva itself can inhibit bacterial production of odor-causing compounds. So in addition to correcting the moisture imbalance in your mouth, the citric acid in fruits like lemons and oranges actually fights bacteria on your behalf.