Bad Breath or Halitosis is a concerning thing. The person who has it can be embarrassed or have anxiety over it or sometimes not even know! The people who notice it feel bad about saying anything, but avoid talking to that person or getting too close! It's time to talk about the causes and cures for bad breath to hopefully eliminate the problem and keep everyone out of a sticky situation!

It's first a good idea to know what is causing the bad breath. Is it a rare occurrence like something you ate or drank? A new medication? Or is it a chronic problem that could be caused by a medical condition?

If you have been told by many that you have bad breath or you can tell yourself that it is a huge porblem, it may be time to see a dentist or a doctor. Review your oral hygiene habits. If you brush and floss regularly, use mouth wash or rinse on occassion and drink plenty of water, then be sure to talk to your dentist to see if it could be something related to gum disease or possibly issues with dental implants or dentures or even braces.

If all comes out clear with the dentists, then you may need to possibly talk to your dr. It could be from a medical condtion to the medication that you are taking. Certain conditions that cause bad breath are: diabetes, liver disease, cancer, metabolic disorders, acid reflux, allergies, sinus infections, post nasal drip, ulcers and upper respiratory infections. Medications that can cause bad breath: certain antibiotics, blood pressure medication, psychiatric drugs which cause dry mouth which can lead to the bad breath.

In some cases it is simply eating spicy or garlicky foods. Onions and garlic can break down and cause bad breath. Certain vegetable and spices can even cause this to happen.

Here are some tips on prevnting bad breath:

- Brush your teeth after every meal. Brush your teeth first thing in the morning and before going to bed. Brush your tongue. Use dental floss.

- Use mouthwashes or rinses.

- Try eating parsley.

- Try "Mint Assure" natural parlsey oil pills that help freshen breath from within. Eliminates certain odors from coming out of your pores when breaking down.

- Drink plenty of water.

- Stop smoking.

- Be sure all dental appliances such as dentures and bridges and braces and more are cleaned properly according to instructions.

- Adjust your diet.

- Use a new toothbrush.

- See a dentist at least twice a year.

- Keep gum, mints or lozenges on hands at all times.

Bad breath is not only a problem for you, your health and your social life, but for those around you, so be considerate and "check your breath!"