A really nasty case of halitosis or bad breath can seem to linger forever with nothing having much of an impact where treatment is concerned. Typical bad breath remedies like mints or rinses may be able to alleviate symptoms for a few hours, but the embarrassing odor will likely return at the most inopportune times. When a bad breath problem never seems to fade and actually seems to be getting worse as time goes on, then you might have a very common dental health problem known as gum disease.

The mildest and most common type of gum disease is known as gingivitis with typical symptoms including: bleeding gums, soreness to the touch, and a worsening case of halitosis. Gum (or periodontal) disease is actually caused by an infection raging in your gingival tissue. Anaerobic bacteria living inside your oral cavity sometimes breed rapidly and cause the infection at the heart of all periodontal disease problems (as well as the bad breath associated with it!).

No bad breath remedy will be effective if you do not eliminate the bacteria causing the gum disease. The microorganisms tend to breed faster when we fail to use proper oral hygiene and eliminate the layer of plaque that the bacteria hide behind. Plaque is formed by the combination of bacteria and pellicle. We awaken to both morning bad breath and plaque every morning and we can eliminate both by simply brushing and flossing every day-unless we use the wrong products!

A dry mouth is a cause of bad breath and problems with gum disease because it leaves the oral cavity defenseless against oral bacteria. Rich in oxygen which creates an environment that makes it difficult for the bacteria to reproduce, saliva naturally helps prevent bad breath and the gum disease that causes it. Saliva also has specialized enzymes that help the body produce antibodies which neutralize the bacteria and stop bad breath.

More often than not, our own behaviors and the things we eat or drink are the causes of bad breath because they lead to dry mouth and lower salivation rates. Some of the most common diuretic behaviors and products to avoid include:

• Smoking tobacco
• Excessive talking
• Chronic sinus infection (causes us to breath through mouth)
• Drinking alcohol or using bad breath remedies made with the toxic chemical
• Consuming caffeine and/or using any products that contain stimulants, such as laxatives and many common dietary supplements
• Medication side effect

Food, dehydration, halitosis remedies made with harsh chemicals, and poor oral hygiene can all be causes of bad breath if they help increase the population of anaerobic bacteria. Cures for bad breath do not actually exist but you can find remedies made with organic ingredients like the essential oils (Spearmint, Peppermint, Almond, Camphor, and Eucalyptus oils are commonly found in halitosis products) that will control bacteria and help prevent odors and problems associated with gum disease. If you are looking for an effective remedy against halitosis and bad breath made from essential oils like those listed above, then try OraMD® today!