Babe…Your Breath Smells

You just had to say it.

You couldn’t hold it in any longer.

Now you’re thinking, “maybe I should have kept my mouth shut.”

The truth is, as much as it might hurt to let somebody know that their breath reeks, you’ve likely done them a huge favour.  Who else will tell them but you?  Just like “you’re flying low”, most people appreciate being told that their breath is offensive, as long as you say it nicely.  Halitosis, which is better known as bad breath, is an embarrassing problem that can keep people from getting too close to you.  Unless you want to remain single forever – kissing your pillow instead of your partner – it’s time to identify and treat the underlying causes of this distressing issue.

Halitosis May Be Caused By:

1. Poor oral hygiene – Decaying food particles, plaque, and bacteria trapped in the mouth are the leading causes of halitosis and can lead to serious periodontal disease.  It is essential to have your teeth cleaned professionally at least every 6 months, to floss before bed, and to brush your teeth thoroughly morning and night.
2. Dryness in the mouth – You can increase your production of cleansing saliva by eating regular meals and drinking at least eight glasses of water per day.  Don’t forget to give your liver some love by adding detoxifying lemon to your water or sipping Peppermint tea.
3. Poor digestion – Proper digestion and breakdown of foods can prevent halitosis.  If your digestion is sluggish or impaired, this may explain the reason for the offensive odour coming from your mouth.  Without the proper blood test to identify foods that your body doesn’t digest well, you can rinse with Listerine like it’s your job, but your halitosis problem won’t go away.  Learn more about the specialized IgG Food Intolerance Blood Test that I offer here.
4. Smoking – This bad habit exposes yourself and others to thousands of hazardous chemicals.  It can also lead to periodontal disease and gum disease.  As you’re already aware, both of these commonly cause bad breath.
5. A serious medical condition – In some cases halitosis is difficult to treat and is not linked to poor oral care.  Be sensitive to the issue when a serious medical condition is the underlying cause.  People with kidney failure, diabetes, infections, or eating disorders are advised to talk to their doctor.

I interviewed Joanna Miloszewski, B.Sc., an independent mobile registered dental hygienist, to find out more about this embarrassing condition.  Here’s what she had to say.  “The vast majority of halitosis is related to poor oral care.  A lot of people don’t floss or brush their teeth properly.  The mouth acts like an incubator for bacteria and people need regular dental cleansing.”  She encourages her patients to brush and scrape their tongue daily and suggests that this simple practice provides instant breath improvement.  She also recommends specifically using an anti-bacterial mouthwash, because in most cases, bacteria are the underlying cause of bad breath.  Miloszewski believes in educating her patients on the importance of proper dental care and she provides tools to help them keep up with healthy dental habits.  From the expert herself, “The only way people will incorporate something into their lifestyle is if they understand what is happening in their mouth.  Gum and Listerine mask the odour, but don’t solve the problem.”

There is plenty of evidence to suggest that halitosis is no joke in the dating world.  It can affect intimacy and easily ruin relationships.  Since nobody wants to kiss someone with a foul smelling mouth, it is best if you are open and honest with your partner.  Don’t suffer silently, just say, “Babe….Your Breath Smells.”  Give them a smile, the link to this article, and a sweet kiss….maybe on the cheek for now.