What is bad breath?
Bad breath, or halitosis, is a very common problem. More than 90 million people suffer from bad breath. In most cases it originates from the gums and tongue. This is due to the odour being caused by bacteria from the decay of food particles in your mouth and poor oral hygiene. It can also be brought on from eating certain foods such as garlic or onions. Alcohol and tobacco are also known to bring it on, along with dry mouth.

How do I know if I have bad breath?
One way is to hold your hand over your mouth and exhale and smell your breath. Another way is to ask somebody that you trust to smell your breath. Keep in mind that everybody experiences ‘morning breath’.

What can be done?
Brushing teeth, your tongue cheeks and the roof of the mouth to get rid of any bacteria or food, will help. Also flossing teeth will get rid of any food or bacteria. Mouth rinses are effective for temporary bad breath relief. Avoiding foods such as garlic and onions may also help, as well as avoiding tobacco and alcohol. Also visiting a dentist regularly will help.

Bad Breath Interesting facts
	Approximately 25% of people in the UK suffer from halitosis on a regular basis!
	The majority of the adult population, on occasion and especially after waking up in the morning - will experience stale or bad breath.
	Most people in the UK do not brush their teeth effectively. It should take two to three minutes to completely brush all tooth surfaces. Good dental hygiene, i.e. regular brushing and flossing will help to eliminate bad breath.
	Most people spend just 30-40 seconds brushing their teeth. This means they are bound to miss tooth surfaces where bacteria accumulate and which creates odorous 'volatile sulphur compounds', resulting in bad breath.
	Bad breath arises from the back of the mouth where bacteria feeds off the mucus and food particles creating odourous sulphur compounds.
	Over 170 different types of bacteria live in our mouths - as many as 50% of bacteria that causes bad breath can be found on the back of the tongue.
	We don't produce bad breath until we actually speak. Bad breath often originates near the back of the mouth and is propelled forward and out of the mouth only when we talk.
	It is a myth that we can smell our own breath odour through cupping our hands over our mouths and nose. This is because we have become accustomed to our own odours.
	Many foods can cause bad breath. Two of the most common culprits are onions and cabbage, which contain high amounts of sulphur compounds. When digested, the sulphur compounds are absorbed into the blood stream and carried to the lungs, where they are then exhaled as we breathe causing bad breath.
	A dry mouth is a perfect environment for odour causing bacteria. Saliva acts as a kind natural mouthwash by keeping the mouth moist, washing away bacteria, and dissolving foul smelling volatile sulphur compounds.
	Sleeping, dieting, fasting, or talking for long periods of time reduces saliva flow and increases the likelihood of to bad breath. In addition, certain medications, alcohol consumption, and breathing through the nose during exercise can cause the mouth to become dry, contributing to the problem.
	Your dentist can give you an accurate assessment of bad breath by using a halimeter. By blowing into a straw like tube attached to the halimeter, you can measure the amount of stale mouth causing volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs) in the breath.

For information about products to combat bad breath - click here.