You Have Bad Breath!!
I’m blessed and cursed with an ultra sensitive sense of smell. While it’s great when tasting complex foods and wines because I can pick out each food ingredient easily, when it comes to people with dragon breath, aka dog breath or halitosis, I get VERY offended by such a vile odor, and even get really grossed out, flinch away from them and yes, sometimes I might GAG.
Needless to say, I don’t want to be subjected to bad breath odor. Don’t make me hurt you!
Maybe you don’t even know you HAVE bad breath. That’s the worst - because you do want to tell a person they can kill a man with just one blow…of their breath.
Check if YOU have bad breath. How? ASK someone. That’s the easiest. Don’t be too offended if they say, “…you have the most disgusting breath EVAR. I’m so glad you asked because you really need to do something about that and everyone was afraid to tell you. You are so good to find out because you do have the most heinous breath I’ve ever smelled. I mean, your breath smells like a gravely diseased cat that ate a rotting can of tuna got hit by a car and rested in the sun for 3 weeks - and now it is in your mouth!” Ok, ouch. That might hurt a bit but be thankful to know about it.
How to tell someone they have bad breath.
Oftentimes, people with bad breath just don’t know they have it, and they don’t have the decency to ask (like above) someone - hee. Well, it’s hard to tell someone they have halitosis without feeling like you’re going to hurt their feelings. Too bad. Suck it in and just do it. Just say:
1. Dude, your breath is killer, man. Can you stop hitting us with it??
2. Is halitosis your middle name? Would you be better off with NO middle name?
3. Wow, whoa! Your breath bloody stinks! OMG!
Ok, ok. I’m not THAT heartless. Just joking a bit there. Say something short, sweet and to the point:
1. I think you have a breath problem and I thought you’d like to know.
2. I don’t mean to offend you but your breath could stand some improvement.
3. You might want to know that your breath is not that great.
Ok, it’s not going to be easy (you can likely say something more diplomatic) and that person WILL be embarrassed. That’s ok because from there you can suggest some reasons why they might have it then suggest some solutions to combat the issue.
Why do you have bad breath? The Causes
1. Smoking - smokers have AWFUL breath. Stop!
2. Food - foods that have volatile oils is a big source of halitosis. Garlic and onions are popular and very well known culprits, but other vegetables and spices can also give you bad breath. Even after digestion, the pungent oils are absorbed into your bloodstream then to your lungs where they give off breath odor until the food leaves your body.
3. Nose, Mouth and Throat Problems - Sinus infections can be a source because nasal discharge from your sinuses into the back of your throat can cause mouth odor. Persistent snot can cause a foul odor. Mononucleosis, strep throat and tonsillitis and can cause bad breath until the infection clears. Upper respiratory infections including Bronchitis will give you bad breath because you’re coughing up odorous sputum.
4. Fasting - When you don’t eat, there’s a break down of chemicals in your stomach that causes a stink.
5. Dental Conditions - Periodontal (gum) disease and poor dental hygiene give you bad breath. Food particles remain in your mouth, which collect bacteria and emit hydrogen sulfur vapors. A colorless, sticky slime of bacteria (plaque) forms on your teeth.
6. Diseases - Sometimes bad breath is an indication that you have a disease. Always seek professional medical help. Lung abscesses and chronic lung infections produce horrible smelling breath. Other illnesses can cause a distinctive breath odor. Liver failure causes a fishy odor. Kidney failure can make your breath smell like pee. Diabetes causes a specific breath odor. Other diseases that cause bad odors in the mouth: hiatal hernias, stomach reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD).
Treating and Preventing Bad Breath
1. Brush your teeth and tongue after every meal. If it means brushing your teeth at work, do it. It’ll only help you and you won’t have to get the embarrassing talk from your colleagues.
2. Floss your teeth regularly, at least once a day.
3. Get your teeth flossed and cleaned by your dental hygienist at least twice a year.
4. Choose a soft bristled toothbrush and change it at least twice a year.
5. Drink plenty of water.
Natural Remedies for Bad Breath (to accompany regular brushing and flossing etc. - above)
1. Parsley - Chew on fresh parsley because it’s rich in chlorophyll and is a natural neutralizer and deodorizer.
2. Cardamom seeds - These seeds freshen your breath if you chew on some seeds.
3. Rinse your mouth out at least twice a day with water.
4. Tea - Fenugreek seed, commonly called “methi” tea helps fight bad breath.
5. Sage - Bad breath that is caused by oral infections may be treated with the anti-inflammatory and antiseptic action of thujone, one of the active ingredients in common sage. To make a tea, pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh sage leaves (1 to 2 teaspoons dried), let steep, then strain. Drink the tea slowly for maximum effect.
6. Peppermint - The menthol in peppermint can mask bad breath but only temporarily. Steep 2 tablespoons chopped leaves and flowering tops (or 1 teaspoon dried peppermint) in 1 cup boiling water for 10 minutes. Strain, then drink.
7. Myrrh - Myrrh, because it is a natural antiseptic, kills mouth bacteria. Make your own mouthwash by stirring 5 to 10 drops of myrrh tincture into a glass of water. Mixing the tincture with mint or rosemary tea will enhance its breath-freshening effect and mask myrrh’s unpleasant taste. Note: Be very careful to watch for skin irritation.
8. Fennel seeds - If you’ve eaten at Indian restaurants, fennel seeds are often given to you after dinner. You should chew a few seeds and this will help freshen your breath.
9. A Well-Balanced Diet - will promote an efficient digestive system and reduce the number of odor-producing bacteria.
10. Acidophilus - Foods that contain acidophilus (Lactobacillus acidophilus) such as yogurt products, help restore the natural balance of friendly bacteria in the digestive tract. An imbalance of intestinal bacteria can contribute to bad breath.
11. Fiber in Foods - When you eat foods rich in fiber it fights against constipation. When you have regular bowel movements toxins that can potentially cause bad breath are eliminated. Foods rich in fiber include: whole grains, peas, beans, prunes, brown rice, currents, etc.
12. Vitamin C - If you have bad breath from gum disease, eating foods rich in vitamin C will protect gum tissue against cell damage and speeds healing. Foods rich in vitamin c: strawberries, oranges, red bell peppers, tangerines and other citrus fruits, red cabbages to name a few.
Related: You have hemorrhoids!
[photo source thanks to Jenny Rollo]
September 5th, 2008 at 3:55 am
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