Have you ever tried to smell your own breath? 

  • It's a common myth people use, but it is impossible to smell your own breath by cupping your hand up to your nose and smell, because our nose and mouth are not separate organs, and because the nose tends to filter out own smells, smelling our own breath is practically impossible.
  • Every day, while many develop faulty perceptions about having bad breath that affect their entire lives, others who actually suffer from halitosis are unaware of their condition: this is called"bad breath paradox"

Why so YuCKKy?

  • A dry mouth or a dehydrated body can lead to bad breath.
  • Food substances with a strong odour and flavors like onions, garlic, cinnamon.
  • Poor oral hygiene - decayed cavities,  gum diseases, mouth infections, ulcers, impacted food debris.
  • For patients with replaced teeth - Improper cleaning of the dentures.
  • Habit related- tobacco products- beetle nut chewing, smoking.
  • Certain medications.
  • Certain infections of - sinusitis, nose problems, respiratory tract infections, liver or gastric( stomach) problems, kidney problems, and long-standing uncontrolled diabetes.

Prevention:

  • Maintaining good oral health by brushing the teeth properly and gentle cleaning of the tongue using back side of the brush or a tongue cleaner.
  • Eating a healthy breakfast.
  • Gargling after food with a mouthwash.
  • Avoid strongly flavoured foods before you attend a meeting- eg - Onion. Garlic.
  • Use a chewing gum, to temporarily solve bad breath.

Treatment:

  • If the dentist finds out that the bad breath is because of accumulated plaque or calculus he will recommend you to get a scaling (cleaning ) done.
  • You will be advised to brush twice daily, using a soft bristle brush in up and down strokes (Circular motion for children) until all the lodged food and debris is removed.
  • Flossing every day is also recommended. This video will help you learn how to floss-  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DT0N3-hNFY
  • Tongue cleaning is a must if you see a white film over your tongue that may itself be the major reason for the bad breath.
  • Follow up, brushing with a mouthwash twice daily. 
  • If it is found that a child has mouth breathing habit, the habit should be corrected using an appliance available at the dentist's office.
  • If there is bleeding gums, mobile teeth, infection or pus in the gums, cavities in your teeth, they should be addressed first as all this will harbour bacteria leading to malodor.
  • If the main cause of bad breath is not related with the mouth, for example, if it is due to gastritis (Stomach), kidney or lung problems, then a physician is consulted for the treatment of the same.