People who have bad breath usually don’t realize it. That’s because their friends, family, and co-workers usually are too embarrassed or uncomfortable to let them know that their breath stinks.
So that means you may have bad breath right now and not even know it!
Halitosis Happening
Bad breath, which technically is known as “halitosis”, can be caused by a number of things. Gum disease, tooth decay, or even serious illness can cause a person’s breath to become unpleasant and off-putting to other people. But in most cases, halitosis is simply caused by poor or inattentive oral health habits.
When we eat, some food particles naturally get stuck in the spaces between teeth. Plaque also can form on the surfaces of teeth. Over time, these can begin to break down and deteriorate, resulting in an unpleasant odor that can be expelled through the mouth during exhalation. The result is bad breath.
Many people with halitosis have become so accustomed to the smell that they usually don’t recognize it. Even breathing on your hand and sniffing it often won’t tell you if you suffer from halitosis or not because you are used to the smell of your own breath.
Usually, the only way to actually know if you have bad breath is to ask other people. And to spare your feelings, they may not be completely honest with you.
The Cure
The good news is that getting rid of bad breath usually is as easy as adopting good oral health habits, like brushing after every meal, flossing daily, and using a high-quality mouthwash regularly.
Bad habits are hard to break. But replacing poor oral health habits with a daily routine that promotes the health of your teeth can help ensure you have fresh breath. And you will never have to worry about what people aren’t telling you about the way your breath smells.