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There are several causes of bad breath, or halitosis, and one major cause is the bacteria which can be found in the average human mouth. This anaerobic bacteria thrives on remaining food particles, and then outputs what is known as Volatile Sulfur Compounds (VSC).

Volatile Sulfur Compounds have a smell similar to hydrogen sulfide, which is very similar to the scent of rotten eggs. Bad breath and halitosis can also be caused by the medications you are taking. By reviewing the types of medications you are taking, you could address whatever bad breath problems you are suffering.

Medications can be at fault because most of them tend to be drying to the sinuses or may dry up mucus, which is partly the result of postnasal drip. Some types of anti-anxiety drugs can have this drying up effect as well. If Several common medications of this type have this side effect, so if you are noticing this drying problem, check the package insert for these medications, or talk to your doctor or pharmacist. You do not have to live with this side effect of bad breath.

Here are some of the medications which are known to cause dry mouth as a side effect:

* Birth Control Pills
* Antihistamines
* Anti depressants
* Indigestion Remedies
* Nasal Decongestants
* Hormone Replacement Medicines
* High Blood Pressure Medicines

Some of these medications can have such a severe drying effect that you may be tempted to simply quit taking the medication so that you do not have to offend people with breath that smells like sulphur and rotten eggs. Neither of these alternatives is acceptable. Instead, try these tricks to keep your body hydrated:

* Drink lots of water or sugar free liquids.
* Drink water with some lime or lemon added, to make it more tasty.
* Skip or reduce caffeine, overly spiced foods, and salty foods whenever possible.
* Eat chewing gum, especially sugarless, to produce more saliva.
* Reduce stress.
* Use a room humidifier in your home or office.

An interesting fact is that just thinking about eating a sour food can stimulate saliva! Even when you don’t have a lemon or sour candy handy, just picture eating a lemon, and you can produce saliva! Saliva is highly effective in reducing bad breath, since it contains the bacteria-killing qualities needed to reduce bacteria in your mouth. Without sufficient saliva production, halitosis increases when you have dry mouth.

Once you take steps to check your medications to see which ones might cause dry mouth and bad breath, along with how you can produce more saliva, add some improved oral hygiene tips. There are many types of oral care that can help you improve your breath quality along with the other steps you are taking to reduce the impact of medications.

You must brush your teeth every day, at least once. The way you brush your teeth is important too. Using the correct brushing technique is critical to removing the food particles that can get stuck between teeth. By brushing daily, you reduce a large reason for bad breath. It’s also important to have regular dental checkups and get your teeth professionally cleaned to stop the effects of bacteria. One step that many people take is to brush their tongue. Take a look at your tongue in a mirror, and look for white substance on your tongue surface near the back. That substance can be removed by brushing with your toothbrush, or purchasing a tongue scraper at your local pharmacy. That white stuff can cause bad breath. Maintaining a healthy diet is important too, not just for overall health, but for reducing or eliminating bad breath.

Try this quick cleaning method when you find yourself in a situation where you want to make sure your teeth are clean but you aren’t able to brush. Take a drink of water, and swish the water around in your mouth. This can loosen and rinse away any particles of food that may be trapped in your teeth, which lead to bacteria and bad breath. Spit out the water after rinsing. Taking even this simple action can help!

By eating something healthy, such as vegetables or fruit, you can produce saliva from chewing and at the same time avoid the types of foods that can produce bad breath, such as candy or greasy chips. Eating a carrot or apple can produce saliva and keep plaque from forming.

One last item to consider is that low Vitamin C has been shown to be a possible cause of bad breath. Some habits such as smoking can cause a deficiency in Vitamin C. Try eating a snack that is high in Vitamin C, or taking a vitamin supplement can help your breath stay fresh.

Do not be misled by common myths of bad breath. Learn how to fight bad breath effectively with our

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