Bad breath, sometimes called halitosis, means that you have an unpleasant smell on your breath that other people notice when you speak or breathe out. The exact number of people with bad breath is not known, but it is common.

Most cases of bad breath come from problems within the mouth such as poor oral hygiene or gum disease. This is discussed in more detail later in the leaflet. Most people have some degree of bad breath after a nights sleep. This is normal and occurs because the mouth tends to get dry and stagnate overnight. This usually clears when the flow of saliva increases soon after starting to eat breakfast.

A main problem with bad breath is that the only person not to notice it is the person affected. (You get used to your own smell and do not tend to notice your own bad breath.) Often, the only way to know about it is if a person comments on it. However, most people are too polite to comment on another person’s bad breath. You may have to rely on a family member or a close friend to be honest and tell you if you have bad breath.

Perhaps you could ask your dentist next time you have a check up. A dentist will normally be able to say if you have bad breath. Gum disease is a common cause of bad breath and a dentist will be able to advise on proper bad breath treatment if you have gum disease.

Some people suggest a simple test which you can do yourself to detect bad breath. Lick the inside of your wrist. Wait a few seconds for the saliva to dry. Then smell the licked part of the wrist. If you detect an unpleasant smell you are likely to have bad breath.

The good news is that receding gums are easily prevented through brushing and flossing daily, eating a balanced diet and visiting the dentist regularly for professional cleanings. Did you know that you can effectively treat your gum problems and cure it naturally and fast?

A dentist or dental hygienist can assess overall gum health during the recommended twice yearly dental checkup examination. However, for gum recession caused by mouth injury or trauma, immediate medical attention is often necessary. Try the all natural OraMD products and don’t just take for granted for having bad breath.