Bad Breath: Not Always Sign of Illness

Lick your own wrist, wait until it dries, then smell the area. Or, sniff your own breath in front of a mirror. Just as the eyes may be windows into the soul, our breath may hint to our health too. If your breath is not sweet breath, but a stink, something may be wrong. Sometimes bad breath can have an impact on our social and professional life too.

Many people think that bad breath comes from the stomach or intestines. This rarely happens. In fact, bad breath may indicate conditions from periodontal, kidney, respiratory or liver disease to diabetes, lips tissue disease or injury. However, the most common problem associated with bad breath is periodontal disease. Just think how your breath would smell if you didn't brush your teeth for a week or after having a canned tuna. Not all cases of bad breath indicate a health problem. Food smells that are repulsive can be harmless. There are sometimes medical causes too, such as dry mouth, throat or tummy problems, for instance.

However, with good dental care, you can prevent pain or infection that, in some cases, can spread to other organs. Learn how to clean the teeth and mouth effectively. You can improve your oral hygiene by regular brushing and flossing, regular dental checkups, and the use of mouthwash is good too. In other case, you may need a professional treatment for a serious disorder that could jeopardize your health, such as kidney or liver disease. Depending on the underlying cause, many alternative therapeutic remedies can be used. Most bad breath can be treated successfully with good oral hygiene and or medical care by professionals. Just consult them and things will be okay.