Mouth is one of the body parts used for communication. As we speak out, we release air from the mouth much as we inhale air from the environment. 

Bad smell or sometimes termed as bad breath is usually a communication hindrance in life. The problem of bad breath can be very acute and can hamper one’s self confidence.

People can develop this problem due to various reasons and unless you are aware of them, it is not easy to find a solution–solutions for bad breath are derived from the cause itself. 

There are many social difficulties that one goes through if he or she is suffering from bad breath. For example, suppose you are going for an important meeting, and if you are suffering from bad breath, you can well imagine the impression that you will pose on others.

 And, given that first impression is the last impression, this makes bad breath one of the critical issues of life. Bad breath is not limited to a specific group of people and depending on their feeding habits.

Bad breath is a condition that has many different causes and even though it is most often caused by oral problems, bad breath can also be a symptom of a serious disease. One of the best examples of this is diabetes. 

Bad Breath is caused by anaerobic bacterias, which use organic substances from food, saliva, blood and rests of food to produce in consequence special chemical substances.

 A key role played here by the fleeting sulfuric bonds. Bad breath home remedies that mask the odour include chewing a peppermint leaf or a sprig of parsley, or holding a clove in your mouth. 

Chewing mint or cinnamon flavored chewing gum, eating sunflower seeds, rinsing with lemon juice and water, rinsing with salt water, and drinking hot tea are also recommended as home remedies for bad breath. Bad breath almost never comes from the gastro-intestinal tract (stomach).

Alcohol and even certain mouthwashes containing alcohol can dry the oral tissues causing bacteria to proliferate. Certain medications for high blood pressure, antihistamines and depression can decrease saliva flow. 

Dental problems such as gum disease or cavities can also cause one’s breath to be unpleasant. Dental decay at the roots of the teeth may result in sore in the gums with foul-smelling pus, giving an unpleasant odour to the breath. 

Sinusitis does not cause bad breath directly. Foul smell will only follow after chronically inflamed sinuses produce large amounts of mucus. 

Chronic bad breath can be a sign of an ongoing medical condition, and should be diagnosed by a dentist. The cause of bad breath most often treated by dentists is plaque build up, which causes pockets to develop between the teeth and gums, which then fill with bacteria and food particles. 

Most breath odour comes from trapped food debris inside the mouth. The trapped food particles become a breeding place for bacteria that causes bad breath. 

Bad breath can also be the consequence of improper cleaning of dentures that leads to poor oral health. Smoking, tobacco and alcohol are also a major cause of bad breath. Bad breath can also be symptom of an undetected disorder of the lungs, stomach or bloodstream. Dry mouth is another important cause of foul breath.

Dry mouth leads to less saliva production. This hampers the natural cleaning ability of the mouth, as saliva acts as a natural mouthwash and also reduces bacteria inside the mouth. Alcohol intake, certain medications, breathing through mouth instead of nose or disorder in the salivary gland can lead to dry mouth. 

A cure for bad breath also includes some other essential things. Check with your doctor regularly, to rule out possibilities of gum disease. Drink enough water to avoid dry mouth. Bad breath remedies also include avoiding smoking and alcohol consumption. 

Mouth washes, breathe mints and sprays may mask the odour of bad breath temporarily, but they don’t get at the source of the problem. Avoid sugary breath mints, which can make bad breath worse. Mouthwashes can help mask the odour but, for the most part, they do not usually last very long. 

Treatment for bad breath problems depends on the underlying causes, so eliminating the causes will in theory take care of the bad breath. However, in some cases, you may need to see a Dentist to identify the causes. 

Treating bad breath involves thorough cleaning of the mouth, throat and nasal areas. This has to be accomplished with special toothpaste, mouth rinse and nasal and throat sprays. 

Dr Joseph Kamugisha is a resident oncologist at Jerusalem Hospital, Israel