By Betty Vedrine, Lifestyles Reporter

betty@nasguard.com

We all have the occasional bad breath. But what happens when you have a co-worker or worst, a spouse, who has dragon breath every day? You may feel compelled to just give them a case of mouthwash and innumerable packets of chewing gum, but there are a lot of underlying factors that cause bad breath.

Just masking the unpleasant odour of bad breath is not enough; the problem has to be addressed.

Bad breath or halitosis, is an unpleasant and embarrassing problem. Everyone is affected at some point or another, however, there are some people who actually have a problem. Unfortunately, some people with bad breath are oblivious to it.

The first thing that you need to know is that what you eat affects the air that you breathe out. That means, therefore, that foods such as garlic and onions, can cause offensive breath odours and cause people to avoid you like the plague. Bad breath can be such a problem, that it can even challenge the best of relationships.

"My fiancee had a serious bad breath problem when we first met. It got so bad that I even considered breaking off the relationship because I found it difficult to kiss her," said Lawrence Archer (not his real name).

After food is digested, it is absorbed into the bloodstream and transported to the lungs. When you exhale, you expel the odour into the atmosphere. The odour continues to emanate through the lungs until you have eliminated the culprit. That's why brushing, flossing and using mouthwash only temporarily masks the odour.

But this does not mean that brushing and flossing are not important steps. If you fail to brush and floss daily, particles of food remain in the mouth, collecting bacteria which contributes to bad breath. That's why it's important to floss because food can get stuck between the teeth, on the tongue and around the gums and rot, leaving an extremely malodorous scent. That's one of the reasons, too, why people who wear dentures must also be vigilant about cleaning them properly.

And there are many causes for bad breath other than food. Dieters are susceptible to it due to infrequent eating and so are persons plagued with periodontal (gum) disease. Periodontal (gum) disease is caused by plaque, a colourless, sticky film of bacteria, which forms on the teeth. The bacteria create toxins which irritate the gum. You can control gum disease, however, with regular checkups with your dentist.

Dry mouth is also a major contributor to bad breath. It occurs when there is a reduced flow of saliva in the mouth. Saliva is necessary to cleanse the mouth and to remove particles which may cause odour. There are many causes for dry mouth, including medications, salivary gland problems or continuously breathing through the mouth, especially when you have a cold or if you suffer from sinusitis. For those who suffer from dry mouth, your dentist may prescribe medications which will increase salivary flow or you may be advised to increase your fluid intake or chew sugarless gum which will promote the production of more saliva.

The use of tobacco also contributes to bad breath. In addition, tobacco stains the teeth and reduces the effectiveness of the taste buds. It can also irritate gum tissues. Tobacco users are also more likely to suffer from periodontal disease and are at a greater risk for developing oral cancer.

Bad breath can also signal other medical disorders, including diabetes, liver or kidney problems and infections in the respiratory tract. If you suffer from chronic bad breath and your dentist determines that your mouth is healthy, you may be referred to your family doctor to determine the cause for the bad breath.

It is a challenging problem, however, there is light a the end of the tunnel. Schedule regular visits for annual cleaning and checkups with your dentist. Keep a log of when your problem is most persistent and let your doctor know, so he/she can determine the cause of the problem. Also, let your dentist know of any illness or surgery you may have had since your last visit. And recently, Japanese scientists discovered that yogurt may help freshen bad breath. After using a swab on the tongues of 24 people, researchers supplemented their daily diets with six ounces of plain yogurt. After six weeks, volatile sulfide compounds, the odour-causing bacteria, decreased by a whopping 80%. Researchers believe that yogurt changes the pH level in the mouth, thus decreasing bacteria. It may also be that K-Casein, a protein found in yogurt, may reduce the bacteria's ability to stick to the surface of the teeth.

Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, paying special attention to your tongue. In addition, use floss or an inter-dental cleanser to clean between the teeth and gums. If you wear removable dentures, take them out at night. Clean them thoroughly before replacing them the next morning.

Remember, that for the most part, mouthwashes are basically for cosmetic use and do not have a long-lasting effect on bad breath. If you have challenge controlling plaque, see your dentist. He may recommend using a special antimicrobial mouthwash. A fluoride mouthwash, used along with brushing and flossing, can help prevent tooth decay and promote clean fresh breath. (Source: American Dental Association and Women's Health Magazine)