Bad Breath?

Q: How do I get rid of bad breath?

A: We’re all victims of funky breath from time to time. Deploying mints, gum or mouthwash may take care of the problem, but in some cases they only mask the odour.

If you’re “minted” but still spewing foul air, you’ll need to do a little reconnaissance to address, hopefully exorcise, the embarrassing horror that is halitosis. According to the Mayo Clinic, certain foods, habits and health conditions can contribute to bad breath.

The obvious culprits are strong-smelling foods, such as garlic, onions and spices. Their oils are absorbed into your bloodstream and carried to your lungs — and then exhaled. Stick with less-pungent foods and drink more water.

Rethink your dental routine. Brush your teeth and tongue after eating and floss at least once a day. (You might also want to try a tongue scraper, available at the drugstore.) Better oral hygiene helps fight bad breath in a couple of ways: It clears out odour-causing bacteria, and keeps your mouth healthy so that germs don’t get cozy along your gum line and cause sour-smelling (not to mention painful) gingivitis. See your dentist regularly; he or she can also check for problems like old dental work that’s fallen into disrepair and is trapping food bits in your gob.

Get a medical checkup. Bad breath could signify a health problem, such as xerostomia (dry mouth), a sinus infection, a respiratory infection, acid reflux, metabolic disorders, cancer, diabetes, or kidney or liver problems. Don’t dither about it — just make an appointment and clear up the mystery. Some medications can cause bad breath, including drugs for urinary problems, psychiatric conditions or high blood pressure.

And hey, quit smoking. Not only does it make your breath smell, but it dries out your mouth — the equivalent of rolling out a red carpet for odour-causing bacteria.
- Daily XY