Q: What causes bad breath and how can I get rid of it?
Bad breath originates in your gums and tongue. It is caused
by waste from bacteria, decayed food particles and poor oral hygiene. It can
also occur in people with systemic conditions such as a medical infection,
diabetes, kidney failure or a liver malfunction. Stress, dieting, snoring and
hormonal changes can affect the odor of you breath as well as dry mouth and
tobacco use.
So what is the solution? Practice good homecare. Brush and
floss at least twice a day to remove bacteria, plaque and food particles. Clean
your tongue with a toothbrush or tongue scraper. And most importantly, make
sure you see your dentist regularly. Your dental care provider can detect any
systemic causes, as well as remove heavy buildup that you can’t remove with
normal brushing and flossing.