Halitosis (bad breath) can be an embarassing problem. The normal cause is gum disease though other factors may cause the problem. Excessive brushing alone cannot help the problem and may even damage the gums. Halitosis is caused by the activity of mouth bacteria - these micro-organisms break down proteins in your mouth and produce foul smelling gases. The odour usually comes from the back region of the tongue and gums. Floss your teeth and sniff the floss - if your gums bleed and the floss smells you've got gingivitis. The bugs attack the gums and old food trapped in between the teeth and the resultant toxins produce pungent gases. Another self test is using the back of your hand. Lick your hand with the back of your tongue and smell it - if it smells bad you've got some of your halitosis from your tongue. The tongue is like a range of mountains with deep microscopic valleys. These fill up with dead cells. If not removed by daily brushing it can cause bad breath.
To overcome the problem you should ask your dentist to advise you - he'll examine your gums for gum disease, investigate your teeth, gums and tongue. He should prescribe a programme for gingivitis and bad breath. This will include visits for deep scaling and advice on cleaning teeth, gums and tongue. As well as a toothbrush and paste you will be advised to use some method for cleaning between the teeth and possibly also use a mouthwash. With a little effort and the right treatment you can be confident of fresh breath.
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