Common Bad
Breath Symptoms
By
Anne Morris
Bad breath is generally caused by an abundance of bacteria in
the mouth. This overgrowth of bacteria can be caused by a
variety of reasons and result in such bad breath symptoms as
bitter or bad taste in the mouth, coated tongue, white nodules
on the throat and tonsils, and of course a foul smell.
Everyone experiences bad breath symptoms to some degree or
another. For most people these bad breath symptoms are
transient, that is, with proper oral care, the symptoms will go
away.
A good example is bad breath first thing in the morning which
is usually the result of bacteria built up as the body throws
off waste during the sleep cycle combined with the drying of
the mouth which allows bacteria to flourish. Transient bad
breath symptoms such as these will clear up by brushing and
flossing the teeth, tongue, and mouth.
Sometimes however, the bad breath symptoms are chronic and no
amount of brushing or flossing will bring about relief. In this
case it is important to consult a doctor to rule out any serious
medical conditions which might be causing the bad breath.
One condition which causes bad breath is called xerostomia, and
it simply means dry mouth. It is not a serious medical condition
in and of itself but it will change the pH of the mouth and
allow bacteria to thrive and multiply, thereby creating a
constant state of bad breath.
Sometimes those with chronic bad breath complain of a bitter or
metallic taste in the mouth. This can be due to bacteria present
in sinus drainage, xerostomia, dental abcesses, or leaking
dental work. Often, the excess sinus drainage is a result of an
allergy induced post nasal drip.
If bad breath symptoms include the frequent clearing of the
throat, then the problem may be coming from the sinus area
which is the source of the mucous drainage. This mucous is
typically full of bacteria and protein from the sinus cavity
and is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria which will
multiply and emit foul smelling waste products which get
carried out on the breath. In addition to mucous from the sinus
area, the tonsils can also emit fouls smelling secretions which
are swallowed but still will cause bad breath.
Chronic bad breath is a serious condition simply because of its social
implications. It can have a negative impact upon one’s personal life as well
as one’s career. The first step in
treating the condition is to identify the cause so it can be treated.
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Tips For Healthy Living...
1. Eat Healthy balanced meals with a variety
of vegetables, fruits, legumes, cereals and dairy product.
2. Try and eliminate fat from your foods...
eat more baked, boiled or grilled foods. Drink low fat or no fat milk and
other dairy products. Minimize fats as much as you can. If you do use
fats... use the good ones like Olive oil in miniscule quantities.
3. Get active. Start walking or exercising
regularly.
4. Drink 8-10 glasses of clean, clear water
daily.
5. Cut out on alcohol, caffeine, nicotine or
other drugs.
6. Get adequate sleep of 6-8 hours daily.
7. Keep Your mind stimulated by doing
crossword puzzles, playing chess, doing mental calculations etc.
8. Have a healthy social life. But make sure
to have more positive influences in your life.
9. Eliminate stress from your life. Stress
and worrying are proven cholesterol enhancers... so work on eliminating
them... you could use some tapes and cd's to help you eliminate anxiety
and stress.
10. Try deep breathing or some form of
meditation each day to help you relax.
11. The combination of healthy eating,
regular exercise, stress relief and relaxation is going to drastically
improve your life style and life expectancy.
12. Recommended Tapes and CD's :
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