Bad Breath (Halitosis)

Research shows that up to 50 per cent of people suffer from bad breath at some point in their lives.

In this article:

What is bad breath?

Effect on your life

Advice & Support

Symptoms

Treatments

Causes

How Chemist Online can help

What is bad breath?
Bad breath is a condition where you have an unpleasant smell from your mouth which is noticeable not only to yourself but also to others whenever you speak, yawn, kiss or simply breathe out.

While it’s true that we are all prone to suffering from bad breath first thing in the morning due to saliva drying up as we sleep, bad breath as an actual medical condition is where your breath’s odour is so severe that it impacts upon your daily life and becomes an embarrassing complaint. That said, in some cases sufferers have bad breath but are oblivious to the fact. This is usually because they are so used to the smell of their own bodies.

Symptoms
The main symptoms of bad breath are a dry mouth and teeth; thick saliva and a constant need to clear your throat; mucous or a burning tongue; a constant sour taste which can also seem metallic in your mouth; and also a white coating on the tongue. All this can result in a fruity smell coming from your mouth; a fishy type of smell; and, in the severest of conditions, a faeces-like smell which can result in people backing away from you or turning their heads away.

Causes
Bad breath is usually caused by gum disease, cavities, smoking, sulphur-producing bacteria in the tongue and throat, poor oral hygiene, alcohol, foods high in protein, sugar or acid, and where the sufferer is also afflicted with an acid reflux condition (GORD).


Effect on your life
Bad breath can impact upon a person’s self-esteem and self-confidence, leading them to avoid many social occasions and also things like close contact both at work and at home. Many sufferers tell of developing a social inferiority complex due to the suspicion that their work colleagues and friends may be commenting upon their appalling breath behind their backs.

Treatments
Good oral hygiene is usually the key to tackling bad breath and reducing its symptoms. This can include things like regularly flossing and brushing the teeth, as well as using mouthwashes and toothpastes which are formulated to be particularly effective. If you find that over-the-counter remedies are not effective for you, then make an appointment with your doctor. He or she may prescribe a course of antibiotics which may help to reduce the development of the sulphur-producing bacteria in your mouth, tongue and throat.

How Chemist Online can help
We have a range of products available which can help you to relieve the symptoms of bad breath such as Aquafresh Mouthwash Extreme Clean which is a purifying mouthwash with a multi-active formula to help significantly freshen breath. We also recommend Listerine Coolmint Mouthwash which is specially formulated to kill the germs that cause bad breath, plaque, and gum disease.



www.chemistonline.co.uk


Advice & Support
Online forum for bad breath sufferers


This information and advice is not intended to replace the advice of your GP or chemist. Chemist Online is also not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based upon the content of the Chemist Online website. Chemist Online is also not liable for the contents of any external internet sites listed, nor does it endorse any commercial product or service mentioned or advised on any of the sites.


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Keywords: Medicines, Health, Beauty

By: mumsa1i

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