Once you discover the fact that you have halitosis (bad breath), it is time to do something about it. There are plenty of things you can do at home. Many individuals run to the store to pick up mouthwash, which only masks the bad breath. If you really want to get rid of it, you have to find out what is causing your bad breath. Do that, may require a visit to your doctor or to the dentist.

Making the diagnosis:

In order to discover if you have halitosis and what the cause of it is, there will need to be a medical history and a complete oral examination of the mouth, nasal passages and throat. Sometimes in order to discover the true cause of bad breath, more testing has to be done. The testing may involve x-rays, blood tests or other specialized testing, depending on what the doctor or dentist suspects.

If severe gum disease is detected, your dentist may refer you to a specialist in gum disease, called a periodontist.

The duration (how long it last) of the bad breath depends on what is causing it. If the cause is poor dental hygiene, then, the problem should clear up relatively quickly, just as soon as you start taking better care of your mouth and teeth. Periodontal disease and tooth abscesses also respond relatively quickly to treatment. Chronic sinusitis is usually a recurring problem and may take longer to correct. Systemic diseases causing bad breath would be a long-term situation that would require proper medical care.

Preventing any further episodes:

Now that you know a little bit more about halitosis, it is time to make sure you are preventing any further recurrences of bad breath. The best prevention is good dental hygiene. Make sure you brush your teeth properly and for long enough after each and every meal. Floss your teeth everyday. Use mouthwashes approved by the American Dental Association (ADA). See your dentist twice a year. Drink plenty of water every day. Use sugarless gum to keep your mouth moist.

Keeping bad breath away is easy now that you have a prevention plan.

If your bad breath turned out to be caused by an infection or a systemic disease, it will be important to speak with your medical professional about how to care for the condition. Follow the medical advice you are given and take all medications as instructed. When your body is ill, it is stressed and bad breath can also be caused by stress so it is doubly important to take good care of you. If the condition turns out to be a chronic one, ask your healthcare provider about the bad breath and what can be done to clear it up or at least mask it.