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Ezine - May 2005
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Kiss Bad Breath Goodbye
By Fiona Gordon
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Bad breath (halitosis) is a common problem which often comes
from the activity of bacteria in the mouth. Although there
is no way of knowing for sure, most adults probably suffer
from bad breath occasionally, with perhaps a quarter
suffering on a regular basis.
Bad breath is a sure-fire way to send potential suitors
scrambling for the exits. Chances are that yummy chicken you
enjoyed at lunch is still hanging around in your mouth,
which can cause less-than-pleasant-smelling bacteria to
form, especially on your tongue.
Our bad-breath weapon of choice is a tongue scraper, which
some say resembles a medieval torture implement but is
actually a disposable U-shaped plastic tool with tiny ridges
on one side. It's very easy to use, and it will help clear
away any leftover food and odour-causing bacteria
that have settled on your tongue.
Starting at the back of your mouth, gently drag the scraper
along your tongue two or three times, rinsing it in between
each pass.
Follow up by drinking a glass of water to flush out any
other bacteria that have formed in your mouth.
|
Problem |
Possible Cause
|
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| Odour
after fasting, dieting, sleeping, taking
medications, prolonged speaking, exercise |
Dryness in the
mouth, insufficient saliva flow |
|
| Gums
bleed and/or smell |
Gum problems,
poor cleaning between teeth |
|
| Odour
upon talking |
Postnasal drip on
back of tongue |
|
| Odour
at onset of menstrual cycle |
Swelling of gums |
|
| Small
whitish stones with foul odour appear on tongue |
Tonsilloliths
from crypts in tonsils |
|
| Odour
appears suddenly from mouth of young children |
Onset of throat
infection |
|
| Odour
appears suddenly from nose of young children |
Foreign body
placed
in nose |
|
| Odour
appears suddenly from entire body of young children |
Foreign body
placed in nose |
|
| Taste
or smell of rotten fish |
Trimethylaminuria
(rare) |
|
| Odour
in denture wearers |
Dentures kept in
mouth at night or not cleaned
properly |
|
| Odour
from nose |
Sinusitis,
polyps, dryness, foreign body, hindered air or mucus
flow |
|
| Bad
taste all day long |
Poor oral
hygiene, gum disease, excessive
bacterial activity on tongue |
|
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| Fiona Gordon is a Business Manager and
National Educator for Vincent Davianny in Australia and New
Zealand. Fiona has many years experience in the beauty
industry, as an owner of salons, and with international
training and experience. She brings to our industry a wealth
of resources on health and wellbeing, and also on salon
management. Fiona can be contacted at
www.vincentdavianny.com.au |
