Fit & Proper: Is bad breath affecting your personal and professional life?

Shubham Mangal (name changed) observed that people would step back when he would talk to them. Some would have a pained expression on their faces. Others would altogether turn their faces away. He had, for some time, suspected that his breath became stale, particularly after lunch in office. Now his colleagues' reactions seemed to suggest that his breath was perhaps even foul. He approached his dentist who confirmed that he suffered from bad breath.

Bad breath, or halitosis, is an unpleasant odour of the breath of a person. It can result from poor dental habits or might be a sign of other health problems. Sometimes this bad breath becomes a reason for embarrassment in public.

Poor oral hygiene causes bacterial build-up on the teeth, tongue and gums. This is called plaque that hardens and forms tartar. This, in turn, leads to periodontal (gum) disease, causing bad breath. Eating strongly flavoured foods like onion, garlic and chewing tobacco can lead to bad breath. Respiratory tract infections, like sinus and lung infections, too cause this. Systemic illnesses such as diabetes, liver disease and gastric problems can also be the cause of bad breath. Some people with dry mouth also face this problem.

Bad breath can be detrimental to one's self image and confidence, causing social, emotional and psychological anxiety. The easiest way to find out if you have bad breath is to ask your friends and family.

People these days spend long hours at work. They should make sure that they rinse their mouth after every meal and drink lots of water. They can also use some lozenges and mouthwashes certified by the American Dental Association (ADA).

To treat halitosis, the underlying cause should be treated. If the problem is left untreated, it could lead to the deterioration of the underlying problem like diabetes or any other systemic disease. This, in turn, would cause damage to the gums and the surrounding bone. There is no one treatment for halitosis. The treatment will depend on what is causing the problem.

QUICK TIPS:

• Practise good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
• Use a mouthwash before going to bed. Use of mouthwash and lozenges can assist in fighting halitosis
• Review your oral hygiene habits. Try to make lifestyle changes such as brushing your teeth and tongue after eating
• Floss between the teeth daily
• Stop smoking and chewing tobacco
• Drink lots of water
• Treat the underlying systemic disease
• Avoid eating food like onion and garlic that have a strong odour
• Always keep clove and peppermint handy

Neetu Kamra
Dental consultant, BLK Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi