Halitosis (bad breath) is a very common problem in the world today. It can be caused by some medical conditions that require treatment by a doctor, but this is very rare. The mouth is the most common source of bad breath due to the growth of bacteria that thrive in this warm, moist environment.

Halitosis is normally at its worst first thing in the morning, known as morning breath, and subsides during the course of the day. Certain foods can lead to an increase in the level of bad breath during the day. Garlic and onions are two of the most common reasons for an individual to have bad breath after lunch or dinner.

The reason bad breath is normally worst in the morning is because bacteria grow and multiply in the mouth. Certain areas, like the back of the tongue are semi dry and warm, providing an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria that do not use oxygen to break down the food particles still present in the mouth. This anaerobic breakdown of amino acids causes the release of certain gases that have been shown to have a foul odor.

The presence of gum disease and infections in the mouth can also contribute to the occurrence of bad breath. Studies have been done on whether this is the case, but the results were inconclusive. It is generally believed that the primary cause of bad breath is still the growth of bacteria on the back of the tongue.

One other cause that could be a problem, though it is not mentioned much, is the presence of bits of food between the teeth. If a person does not make a habit of flossing properly, it is possible for tiny bits of food to become lodged between the teeth where they remain until they decompose down to a small enough size to fall out of the gap. This decomposition produces gases that have a foul smell.

Fortunately, bad breath is something that can easily be treated and remedied. While certain types of mouth spray or mint candies can mask the malodorous emissions from one’s mouth, taking the time to brush the back of the tongue or make use of a tongue scraper to remove the film of bacteria that forms there can remove the source of the odor.

In addition to cleaning the tongue manually, most commercial mouthwashes contain antiseptic ingredients that kill bacteria and prevent them breaking down the proteins that lead to the causing of bad breath. For those who do not like the taste of antiseptic mouthwashes, there is also the option of rinsing the mouth with a cup of salt water. Salt water also acts as a disinfectant and kills the bacteria.

Performing proper oral care at home will go a long way toward preventing or curing bad breath. If the teeth are properly brushed and floss is used to clean the spaces between teeth to remove any food particles that may get trapped there, the number of bacteria that live and grow in the mouth is drastically reduced because there is no food supply for them to feed on. If they have nothing to metabolize, they die out instead of producing these bad smelling gases.

Halitosis can be a force that drives friends away. It can certainly come in the way of relations with one’s mate or partner. Fortunately, in most cases, the condition is transient and can be easily remedied. Taking proper care of the mouth can go a long way toward keeping one from developing a serious case of “dragon” breath. Of course, watching what one eats and eliminating items known to cause bad breath can help too.