t involves the salivary glands and tests the levels of an enzyme which indicates odor-causing bacteria.
The enzyme, galactosidase, can be tested for salivary levels and is associated with halitosis. Breath clinics use these devices, but the actual gold standard of knowing if you have halitosis is by trained experts in “organoleptic measurements” who use the sniff and score method to rate the type and level of odor involved. They commonly use an intensity scale up to six points.
What You Can Do to Prevent Bad Breath
Causes of halitosis aren’t well understood by the medical community, so you may have difficulty finding effective treatment. Some strategies on your part may be used to prevent bad breath most commonly originating from the mouth.
Cleaning the surface of the tongue twice a day can help eliminate odor-inducing bacteria and can be accomplished by using several proven strategies such as cleaning the tongue’s surface using a toothbrush or tongue scraper to eliminate the debris, bacteria and mucus.
Use some antibacterial mouthwash or tongue gel to cleanse even more efficiently and thoroughly. Chewing gum helps get rid of dry mouth which is one cause of bacteria build-up and bad breath.
Chew sugarless gum to produce more saliva and when you can’t use oral hygiene methods to clean your teeth and mouth after you eat. Some gums may also contain odor-killing ingredients such as mint.
Gargling with an effective mouthwash just before bedtime can help reduce mouth odors for hours. Some mouthwashes contain ingredients that are de-activated by the ingredients in toothpaste, so it’s best not to rinse your mouth with mouthwash just after brushing.
Consuming a healthy breakfast such as oatmeal each morning helps cleanse the back of the tongue. Try some old folk remedies such as chewing on cinnamon sticks, fresh parsley, fennel seeds and mastic gum to get rid of leftover food odors.
The probiotic treatment, Streptococcus salivarius K12, is said to prevent odorous bacterial growth in the mouth, but it hasn’t been scientifically proven. Maintaining proper and effective oral hygiene is the best way to prevent mouth-type halitosis.
Clean your tongue daily, brush and floss after meals and see your dentist periodically to prevent most causes of bad breath. If you wear dentures, make sure you clean and soak during the night in an anti-bacterial product.
If you’re into alternative medicine, you’ll find a wide range of products claiming to treat and eliminate halitosis. This includes vitamins, oral probiotics and dietary supplements and antifungal medications, which treat fungal infections.
When a halitosis problem is the result of poor dental hygiene, you’ll get immediate results when you begin to take care of your mouth properly. Regular brushing and flossing will prevent periodontal disease and abscesses of the teeth, which are major causes of halitosis.
If a medical condition is the reason for your bout with halitosis, seeking immediate care will produce good results. Such chronic conditions as sinusitis may occur frequently, but can be controlled with certain medications.
Luckily, bad breath is usually an easy fix for most people. With proper treatment and lifestyle changes you can quickly be on your way to the clean and fresh breath you desire.