The Bad Breath Bible

Bad Breath Symptoms

Having fresh breath is very important to everyone. If you have doubts about that, consider that Americans spend $10 billion a year on oral hygiene products such as toothpaste, mouthwash, and gum. With that amount of money going out of that should eliminate any doubts that we care about having fresh breath. People, however, don't always know that they have bad breath. It isn't until someone else tells them or gives them hints that they usually realize it. We don't want others to tell us that we have bad breath. How embarrassing it is when someone gives you clues that your mouth is foul? So how can we ward off those people in advance by knowing what the symptoms of bad breath are? Below is a list of different conditions that can lead to foul-smelling breath.

Dry Mouth:

A dry mouth is a common symptom of those that suffer from bad breath. The reason why people who have a dry mouth have a foul breath is because of the concentration of bacteria. When the mouth is dry, the bacteria are more concentrated, therefore giving off more foul-smelling vapors. In addition, the balance of bacteria and yeast in the mouth is off, making it a better place for bacteria to multiply. Some of the reasons that the mouth may be dry are lack of proper hydration, aging, and medications such as antihistamines, anti-depressants, diuretics, and high blood pressure medicines. Make sure that you are well-hydrated. Drink a full eight glasses of water a day. This is not only good for your breath, but for other parts of your body, as well.

Post Nasal Drainage:

Sinus problems such as sinusitis, allergies, or even the common cold will cause a person to have poor breath. Specifically, post nasal drip, which is a result of these sinus problems, is the real problem. The reason is that mucous from the nasal cavities drips into the back of the mouth. The anaerobic bacteria will thrive in this gooey mucous. The proteins in it break down into amino acids. These amino acids then become the anaerobia's food. The mucous also shields the bacteria from oxygen. This is good for the bacteria, because it cannot survive in oxygen. The best solution is to see an ears, nose, and throat doctor for options to clear this up.

A White or Yellowish Film on the Tongue:

A very common indication that someone has a foul breath is the appearance of a white or yellowish film on the tongue. This problem is caused by the increased nasal mucous combined with the anaerobic bacteria that commonly lives in the mouth. The best way to treat this is to solve the nasal problem and to scrape the tongue with a dental scraper.

A Bitter, Sour, or Metallic Taste:

A bitter, sour, or metallic taste is another sign that you may have bad breath. The reason for this not-so-pleasant taste varies. It can originate from sinus drainage into the mouth, dental infections, certain oral bacteria, or even a dry mouth. Check with a dentist and make sure you don't have any infections in your mouth. Also, check with your physician for post nasal drip. Make sure you are drinking enough fluids. With proper care, you should be able to solve your breath situation.