Bad breath (known as halitosis, ozostomia, and fetor oris in the medical community) is a problem that has affected everyone at least once in their life. The stinking breath may become a significant obstacle in communicating with friends and folks as well as striking up new acquaintances. If bad breath persists and does not ameliorate within a prolonged time, the person begins to think that this unpleasant symptom is probably a tell-tale sign of a serious illness. And this is fairly true.

Reasons for offensive breath

Halitosis is divided into general and local. General halitosis is associated with dysfunction of internal organs; the local one is a result of neglected oral hygiene. The main causes of local halitosis include:

• failure to maintain oral health;
• the accumulation of bacterial plaque and the formation of tooth deposit;
• caries disease;
• the accumulation of pathogenic microorganisms on orthodontic brackets due to the absence of careful maintenance;
• stomatitis, periodontitis and periodontal disease;
• pulpitis, glossitis, cheilitis, gingivitis;
• alveolitis, peri-implantitis, pericoronitis, etc.

The mentioned above refer to the so-called intraoral causes of bad breathing.

General halitosis can be associated with extra-oral causes: diseases of the respiratory tract, digestive tract, bowel dysfunction, diseases of the liver, gall bladder, or kidneys.

Also, general halitosis may be evidence of endocrine pathologies including diabetes mellitus or ophthalmic hyperthyroidism.

Many ailments cause changes in the composition, viscosity, and volume of saliva produced. Insufficient hydration of the oral mucosa contributes to the deterioration of the protective functions of saliva, letting bacteria freely propagate.

Another reason for foul breath is the intake of medications that cause changes in the composition of saliva or warn about dry mouth as a possible side effect. Common drugs with such an effect are antibiotics, antiviral drugs, meds for managing chemical dependencies, pharmaceuticals for normalization of heart rate and blood pressure.

But how to get rid of the annoying oral fetor?

The methods of prevailing and managing bad breath include:

• Complete smoking cessation. The matter is that along with having its own non-pleasant smell, tobacco also contributes to the dryness of the oral cavity, which causes the oral mucosa to irritate, thus compromising its protective mechanisms and creating a favorable environment for the growth of putrefactive bacteria — the main culprits of bad breath.
• Regular check-ups at your dentist. Very often halitosis derives from caries, inflammation in the gums, and tooth stone. These conditions should be treated promptly to avoid bad breath.
• Sufficient fluid intake. Water imbalance can also cause a stinking mouth odor.
• Following hygiene rules. To prevent halitosis, it is important to regularly brush your teeth with fluorine-containing toothpaste 2 times a day — in the morning and before bedtime. At the same time, the toothbrush should be without stiff bristles to avoid causing damage to the tooth enamel. After each meal, it is recommended to rinse the mouth with warm water or mouth rinse.
• Reconsidering your eating habits. With a striking bad breath, it is wise to avoid eating too much protein (meat, eggs, and dairy products) and fatty foods, as well as to decrease the use of alcoholic beverages. Eating more carbohydrates and fiber helps to improve funky mouth odor.

If the mouth smells like putrid, acetone or ammonia, and this cannot be stopped with standard hygienic procedures and a change in nutrition, this may indicate the development of dangerous gastrointestinal tract diseases, kidney malfunction, or serious intoxication of the whole body.

Pharmacy remedies against bad breathing

In any pharmacy and online drugstore, it is possible to find a huge selection of pharmacological solutions for bad breath. The most popular are mouthwashes and breath freshening sprays. The best mouthwashes for your endearing smile are those that contain the following ingredients in their composition:

• Carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide helps to whiten teeth.
• Cetylpyridinium chloride can neutralize offensive breath and kill malicious bacteria.
• Chlorhexidine reduces dental plaque and improve gingivitis.
• Essential oils such as menthol, eucalyptus, and thymol are known for their antifungal and antibacterial qualities.
• This element can effectively decrease tooth decay and fortify enamel.

The pharmaceutical market abounds with all possible mouthwashes differing by ingredients, effects, and, surely, price. Advertising any solutions in this guide makes no sense because every person has their unique requirements, problems to address, and budget limitations.

If you need to buy good mouthwash or any other solution for general health and well-being as well as official prescription drugs for treating chronic conditions, you can safely apply to Canadian pharmacy, an online system that has made its presence felt due to a huge assortment of top-quality medicaments with prices significantly below market, well-trained, dedicated, always-available customer support, and swift delivery services.

In general, the use of the right mouthwash can promote oral health and make your smile its most disarming without any unpleasant smell produced. Mouthwash can reach parts of your cavitas oris that a brush and dental floss may miss, making it a powerful tool for preventing conditions like:

• dental stone,
• discolored teeth,
• dry mouth,
• gingivitis,
• gum recession,
• stinking breath.

Unless they are designed specifically for little kids, most mouthwashes are not meant for users under 6. Small children might swallow mouth rinse, so elevated supervision should be taken when a child is rinsing their mouth with mouthwash. Mouthwash with alcohol in their composition may not be appropriate for those trying to sign off drinking.

Home remedies to cure bad breathing

The following methods help treat halitosis at home:

• Having apples, carrots, or pears for breakfast. This is a very effective way of getting rid of halitosis, making your breath stay fresh for all day long;
• Finishing each meal with eating some roasted almonds or a slice of ginger root;
• Rinsing the mouth with a mild soda solution after each meal.
• Traditional medicine can also help get rid of bad breath. These include:
• Rinsing the mouth with special herbal infusions made from parsley, tarragon, rosemary, cardamom, cinnamon, or clove.

If tinkering with preparing herbal infusions is not your thing, you can drink herbal teas instead to combat unpleasant breath. Mint, chamomile, St. John’s wort, or thyme teas are not only tasty but are also effective against halitosis.

Halitosis prevention

Timely preventative measures will help you forget about bad breath forever. It is important to visit your dentist, at least, twice a year to get professional teeth cleaning and manage any signs of emerging dental diseases without delay.

Prevention of halitosis also includes following the recommendations of individual oral hygiene such as:

• Choosing the right toothbrush. People suffering from periodontal diseases should opt for a brush with soft bristles; those who are prone to develop plaque should use brushes with harsh bristles (provided, such individuals also have strong enamel and do not struggle from increased sensitivity of the teeth). Brushes of medium stiffness are suitable for those who do not have particular dental problems. You need to change your toothbrush every 1–3 months.
• Avoiding the use of toothpaste with an abrasive effect to prevent micro-damage to the enamel and associated development of dental diseases.
• Using dental floss and mouthwash after every meal.
• Giving up bad habits: smoking, drinking too much alcohol, tea or coffee;
• Drinking enough water to prevent dry mouth and ensure sufficient hydration of the oral lining.