The truth about Bad Breath – Some myths and facts about Bad Breath
Bad breath has always given men trouble and therefore, people always try to find out ways to get rid of it. This is probably the reason why there are so many myths about bad breath or halitosis. Obviously, they are mostly untrue or at least partially true. So, if you are worried about bad breath or think that you have it already, here are some myths and facts about it. Remember, it is important to know the actual details of halitosis if you want to cure it properly.
Myth 1:
Many people believe that one can detect whether one has bad breath by holding a hand in front of the mouth and breathe on it. Well, this is a completely wrong conception. For, we all get used to our odors. Therefore, even if you have halitosis, you won’t be able to detect it. Scientifically speaking, mouth odor generally emanates from the back of the mouth and therefore, it is expelled only when we talk. Also, our mouth and nose are linked by a passage in the back of the throat. So, they are not separate and the existing odors don’t make much impression on the nose.
Therefore, if you want to identify bad breath, you have to either tell your friend or someone close to check it out, or use some device to measure the odor of your breath. There is another way to judge whether you have halitosis. For that, you have to take a spoon or a swab of cotton and collect a sample from the tongue’s surface. Let it be dry and then smell it to get an idea about the odor of your smell.
Myth 2:
A lot of misunderstandings about the bad breath are on its origin. In fact, a lot of people believe that halitosis originates from stomach. Well, this may be true only in rarest or rare occasions. In such cases, bad breath may also originate from lung. But, in most of the cases, it stems from the oral conditions, mostly in the back of your mouth. The reason behind the bad breath is basically the anaerobic bacteria that decompose the sulfur that goes along with certain foods. So, the entire thing occurs inside the mouth alone.
Myth 3:
The relation between the oral hygiene and bad breath has always been elusive. Many people have the misconception that good oral hygiene alone can solve the problem of halitosis. Well, the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene is almost indisputable. However, that does not mean that oral condition alone is the cause or solution of halitosis. So, don’t expect that regular brushing will put an end to the problem. In fact, excessive brushing can worsen the condition. You should rather see it as one of the many steps to cure bad breath. In some cases, people relentless use mouth washes to fix the problem. Once again this is a wrong idea which can eventually do more damage than curing halitosis.
It is important that you visit a dentist as soon as you detect the bad breath. This is because a dentist is required to identify the exact reason behind this problem. Sometimes, people go to a medicine shop and buy over the counter drugs or mouth washes. They can have very bad impact on your oral hygiene and bad breath situation. It is also important that you avoid foods that contain sulfur. Other foods generally don’t play an important role in aggravating bad breath. However, it is good if you can consume more vegetables and fruits.