Halitosis

It sounds embarrassing telling someone his breath stinks , but not telling him can impact your  relationship negatively, and possibly with other relationships like friends, family and co-workers .
So what are the causes of bad breath :
Bad breath also referred to as Halitosis. it is estimated to affect 1 in 4 people globally, and approximately 25% of the worlds population.  It is the third most common reason that makes people seek dental care. The greatest challenge is that the affected individual is the only person who doesn't seems to be aware of the offensive odour.   Halitosis could cause significant embarrassment, anxiety, and worries but the truth is it is very easy to get rid of.

Symptoms:

1. The easiest way to check bad breath without the second party is to lick your wrist, leave it to dry and then smell it. If it smells bad, there is a strong chance your breath also smells bad.

2. Mouth odour varies depending on the cause of the problem. if possible ask a close friend to gauge your mouth odour as it is very difficult to assess yourself.

3. Halitophobia: this is a situation whereby a person is too much concerned about his mouth odour even though they have little or no odour. This can lead to obsessive mouth cleansing behaviour.

Causes of bad breath

The most common cause of bad breath is poor hygiene. Usually as a result of sulphur compounds that are broken down by bacteria in food particles. However, there are cases whereby the odour is coming from within the mouth . This could be as a result of the following:

1. Food stuck between teeth. Normal teeth brushing may not clear bits of food which can get stuck between teeth, the food then rots and becomes riddled with  bacteria . Regular cleaning between the teeth could prevent this problem.

2. Plaque, tartar (calculus) and gum disease. Dental plaque is a soft whitish deposit that forms on the surface of teeth. It forms when bacteria combine with food and saliva. Plaque contains many types of bacteria. Calculus is hardened calcified plaque. It sticks firmly to teeth. Gum disease means infection or inflammation of the tissues that surround the teeth. If your gums look inflamed, or regularly bleed when you clean your teeth, you are likely to have gum disease. The severity can range from mild to severe.

3.Coating on the back of the tongue. In some people, a coating develops on the back part of the tongue. It is not clear why this occurs. It may be from mucus that drips down from the back of the nose (postnasal drip). The coating can contain many bacteria. This explains why bad breath can sometimes occur in people with otherwise good oral hygiene.

Other causes include:

• Tobacco: Tobacco increase causes of gum disease which can cause bad breath. 
• Dry mouth: saliva naturally cleans the mouth. If the mouth is naturally dry (for instance, in the morning) or is dry due to a specific disease (such as xerostomia), odors can build up.
• Diseases: some cancers, liver failure and other metabolic diseases can cause halitosis due to specific mixes of chemicals that they produce. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can cause bad breath due to the regular reflux of stomach acids.
• Drugs: certain medications can reduce saliva and, therefore, increase odors. Other drugs can produce odors as they breakdown and release chemicals in the breath. Examples include nitrates used to treat angina, some chemotherapy chemicals and some tranquilizers, such as phenothiazines. Individuals who take vitamin supplements in large doses can also be prone to bad breath

Treatment:

These are the various ways of getting rid of halitosis:

1. Good oral hygiene; it ensures that cavities are avoided and reduces the likelihood of gum diseases . Always ensure you visit your dentist for check-up twice a year .
2. Brush at least twice a day. but preferably after each meal. 
3. Floss: flossing reduces the build-up of food particles and plaque from between the teeth - brushing only cleans around 60% of the surface of the tooth.
4. Brush tongue: bacteria, food and dead cells commonly build up on the tongue, especially in smokers or those with a particularly dry mouth. Sometimes, a tongue scraper can be useful
5. Diet: avoid onions, garlic and spicy food. Sugary foods are also linked to bad breath. Reduce coffee and alcohol consumption. Eating a breakfast that includes rough foods can help clean the back of the tongue.
6. Avoid dry mouth: drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol and tobacco, both of which dehydrate the mouth. Chewing gum or sucking a sweet (preferably sugar-free) can help stimulate the production of saliva. If the mouth is chronically dry, a doctor may prescribe medication that stimulates the flow of saliva.  After trying all these, if  odour persists please visit your dentist. 

                    So How Do I Tell Him His Breath Stinks:

• Choose a good venue to discuss his bad breathe with him. Avoid the third party while telling him in order to avoid embarrassment. Choose a time when he is in good mood. Be emotionally stable so that he doesn't have the impression that you want to break up with him. 
• Be polite as much as possible when communicating the issue with him, without adding inferences or disgust or other reactions to his stinky breath.
• Tell him how willing you are to help him get rid of the offensive odour and tell him the possible threat to his health which could be periodontal disease, infection, and impaired digestion. 
• Let him realize how much you value the relationship. Assure him that his bad breath isn't a breaking point.