Bye-Bye Bad Breath

For many North Ameri-cans a goodnight kiss has become a thing of the past. The reason? Bad breath, or halitosis as it is known in medical lingo.

According to a health warning, nearly 140 million people in North America suffer from this embarrassing problem, causing them to shy away from others in offices, clubs and social gatherings.

US-based prosthodontist and cosmetic dentist Dr Didier Guillaume of The Goldstein Centre in Atlanta, Georgia, says he can help put the smiles back on these people’s faces if they heed his suggestions about changing their eating habits.

While brushing alone does not help, mouth-fresheners and chewing gum sometimes also fail to produce satisfactory results.

Chewing gum can only temporarily cover up bad breath. Dr Guillaume said the causative agent of the problem is present in the mouth. The gum does not eliminate bacteria that causes bad breath.

In an e-mail to XPRESS, he recommends a change in eating habits to produce results. "Watching what you’re eating is important," Dr Guillaume said.

"Staying away from garlic, onions and spicy foods helps," said Dr Guillaume, who also advises people to eat more salads and leafy vegetables. "Drinking plenty of water is also a good idea," he added.

According to the National Onion Association of the US, Americans eat approximately 18.3 pounds of onions each year which is one of the main ingredients used in fried food and takeaways.

Dr Guillaume also recommends getting one’s teeth cleaned professionally twice a year. "Regular flossing and brushing with visits to your dental professional, along with a good diet is the key to stopping offensive odours," he said.

So how bad can bad breath get? Dr Guillaume said: "Offensive breath can be detected several paces away. Even if the person’s mouth is closed, the smell can come through the nose."

Smells good

• Keep your mouth clean: Brush and floss twice a day
• Clean your tongue: Bacteria on your tongue can contribute to less-than-fresh breath
• Dry mouth: It can quickly cause bad odour
• Rinse: If nothing else, at least rinse your mouth with plain water