Simple ways to combat that bad breath.

 Halitosis commonly known as bad breath is a social problem. Communication is impaired because if you are aware of how bad it smells, you would feel people avoid you because of the odour. Truth is some actually do. Halitosis is basically an unpleasant odour present on exhaled breath.
 
   It's mostly caused by microorganisms present in the back of the tongue and below the gum line.This organisms are meant to be within the mouth because they assist in the breakdown of proteins during digestion. Dentures can cause bad breath especially when they are worn overnight. Intake of food substance like garlic,onions and even proteinous foods like fish increase the occurrence of bad breath(though this may be temporary) . Disorders in the nose,sinuses and throat can present with halitosis.
 
 The best way to treat bad breath is to practice good oral hygiene which includes;

. Brushing the teeth at least twice daily

 . Gentle deep tongue cleaning should be a daily routine. This can be achieved by brushing the tongue from  back to front and Tongue scrapping

. Regular flossing of the teeth which helps to eliminate particles stuck in between the teeth.

. Rinsing and gargling with a good mouth wash (this is probably best done at bedtime)

. Dietary changes
    ....Eat foods that contain fibres like fruits and vegetables
     ....drink a lot of water this keeps the mouth well hydrated cause a dry mouth which is an ideal environment for the proliferation of these microorganisms
...chew gum(preferably sugarless). This enhances the production of saliva hence preventing drying of the mouth

. Life style changes like
...stop smoking.
.rinse your mouth regularly especially after each meal(some people only rinse their mouths when they are thirsty).
..if you normally mouth breath, try breathing through your nose. Mouth breathing makes your mouth dry.
...try brushing after a proteinous meal.
. Make an appointment with a dentist for regular check-up.


Some of us have been in that dicey situation wherein, a friend tries to whisper into your ears you are forced to nod and feign understanding just because you can't stand the odour emitting from their mouth. You are suddenly faced with the dilemma of telling that said friend, he /she has a bad breath at the risk of loosing your friendship.

  If you had ever being in this situation, how did you tell your friend his/her breath smells?