The causes of bad breath are varied. It could be a sign of a dental problem. It could also be a sign that you need a good cleaning. Bad breath could also signify a health problem that has nothing to do with your teeth or your mouth. Bad breath could also mean that you simply are not cleaning your teeth, gums, and tongue properly.

Eating certain foods can also cause bad breath. We mistakenly believe that brushing our teeth eliminates bad breath caused from garlic or onion, but that isn’t so. The bad breath from these foods continues until the food has made its way all the way through the body. On the other side of that, people who don’t eat enough food can also suffer from bad breath. Even having a dry mouth can cause bad breath.

Bad breath and Halitosis are one and the same. Amazingly enough, as close as your mouth is to your nose, you may not even realize that you have bad breath – unless someone else tells you.

If you find that you do have bad breath, and it isn’t caused from smoking, dry mouth, or foods that you eat or don’t eat, you need to see your dentist to rule out a dental problem. If there is no dental problem, have your dental care professional show you the proper way to clean your teeth, gums, and tongue. You can also try cleaning your teeth more often.

If the problem of bad breath persists, you must consider the possibility that it isn’t dental related and pay a visit to your medical doctor for a checkup. Let your doctor know that you are concerned about your bad breath, and that you’ve been given a clean bill or oral health from your dental care provider, so that he or she can perform the appropriate tests to determine what may be causing your bad breath.

Don’t Let bad breath affect your social life again.

Here’s a list of Do’s and Don’ts for keeping your oral hygiene the best it can be:

Oral Hygiene Do’s

* Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleaning.
* Visit an orthodontist for an evaluation if you see any of the early warning signs of orthodontic problems.
* Have your child(ren) evaluated by an orthodontist by age seven. Many orthodontic problems can be more easily corrected before tooth and facial growth is complete.
* Brush your teeth at least twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste.
* Floss between your teeth at least once a day, after dinner and before bedtime. (Tip: Use toothpaste on your floss for extra fresh breath.)
* Rinse and gargle with the mouthwash, ideally right before bedtime.
* Eat a balanced diet, limit between-meal snacks and eliminate sugary foods.
* Clean your tongue when your brush your teeth. (Tip: Instead of using toothpaste to brush your tongue, dip your toothbrush in mouthwash.)
* Drink plenty of liquids, especially water to keep your mouth moist. (Tip: If your mouth is dry, try sucking in your cheeks as if eating something sour to increase flow from the salivary glands.)

Oral Hygiene Don’ts

* Don’t forget to clean behind your back teeth.
* Don’t give mouthwash or fluoride toothpaste to young children, as they can swallow it.
* Don’t clean your tongue so hard that it hurts.
* Don’t rely on mouthwash alone too keep your teeth and gums clean and your breath fresh. Practice complete oral hygiene.
* Don’t ignore your gums – you can lose your teeth as well as have bad breath.
* Don’t drink too much coffee.
* Don’t smoke.