Bad Breath, do you even know if you suffer from it? If you do not look after your teeth and gums then you probably do. The only trouble is other people may realise before you do.

The medical term for bad breath is Halitosis, and everybody at some time or another has or will suffer from it, whether it be because of poor dental hygiene or have eaten a particular foodstuff such as onions and garlic. Generally a bad breath problem relating to these types of foods, if you have a good regular teeth care routine, will clear up without a need for treatment due to your body breaking it down and removing it naturally.

If you do neglect your teeth and gums, bacteria will build up inside your mouth, left untreated then it is likely you will have bad breath and therefore you will need to do something about it. Having a dry mouth either through exercise, lack of fluid, stress can also contribute to having bad breath.

There are many products on the market which say they help eliminate a bad breath problem, such as mouthwashes, sprays, chewing gums and mint sweets. These merely mask the odour, not cure it. First of all visit your dentist to get his opinion, after all he is the professional and will tell you what is best for your teeth and gums. When he checks your mouth he will be able to tell you if the odour is because of your dental health or another factor has contributed to it. If it is a dental issue he/she can either treat it or advise you of another method. If not dental related they could refer you to your GP. Bad breath can signal other health issues, so it does need to be taken seriously.

But at the end of the day looking after your teeth is the key, to eliminate the threat of bad breath, brush your teeth after eating foods such as meat, spicy foods, fish, cheese, garlic and onions. In general you should brush your teeth twice a day, floss regularly and use a good mouthwash. Of course no one intentionally wants to have bad breath, if you do it can affect your self confidence and can be very embarrassing. But it should not be, look after your teeth and gums.