Halitosis or bad breath is very common, and more than 50% of the general population experiences it. Unfortunately, many people experience the condition without knowing they have it since it’s difficult for the human nose to smell the mouth’s odor.
So is there a way to tell if you have bad breath? Certainly.
Checking if you have bad breath
There are a couple of simple ways to tell if you have bad breath. One of them is the ‘Bad Breath Self Awareness Test.’ Take a cotton gauze and wipe the surface of your tongue with it. If you see yellowish stains on the gauze, you most likely have a high sulfide production level, and hence bad breath.
Another test is to lick the back of your hand and then leaving it to dry for a few seconds. If it smells unpleasant, you probably have bad breath.
Although a lot of shame and embarrassment are associated with bad breath, it can be prevented. The key is to know how and when it arises.
1- You sleep with your mouth open
One of the most common reasons for bad breath is dry mouth. If you sleep with your mouth open, the chances are that you’re drying your mouth, and it isn’t getting enough moisture to retain a neutral smell.
Consider getting yourself checked for any allergies or nasal issues that are making sleeping your with mouth closed difficult.
2- You’re dieting
When you diet, you run your mouth dry because you’re not chewing enough food. Eating food produces saliva in the mouth, which keeps it moist.
On the other hand, in a dry mouth, bacterium multiplies rapidly and causes bad breath.
Consider chewing fresh fruits and vegetables at regular intervals to avoid bad breath during dieting.
3- You smoke
Smoking can cause bad breath, stained teeth, and reduce your ability to taste and smell.
A higher quantity of harmful bacteria such as porphyromonas gingivalis, aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, and prevotella intermedia is found in smokers, which leads to gum disease, as well as bad breath.
4- You’re on medication
The side-effects of some medication include bad breath.
These medicines can either run your mouth dry or release chemicals in your body that can be carried to your mouth.
Before taking any medication, ask your doctor if the side effects include bad breath. This way, you can address the problem before it aggravates and causes emabraassment.
Seek help for halitosis in West Hills, LA
At West Hills Smiles, we have a group of highly trained dental professionals who provide dental care services at affordable rates. We also offer cosmetic dentistry and emergency dental care. Visit our website or connect with us today at (818) 346-4303 to book an appointment.
