I have bad breath

I am a 20-year-old undergraduate. I have been battling with bad breath for the past 6 months. Things are so bad that my girl friends are running away from me. Please let me know what to do.

Emeka (by SMS)

CJN’s suspension: Nigeria had fallen into full scale dictatorship ― Olawepo-Hashim

Halitosis (Latin for “bad breath”) often occurs after a garlicky meal or in the morning after waking. Other causes of temporary halitosis include some beverages (including alcoholic drinks or coffee) and tobacco smoking.

Almost everyone experiences bad breath once in a while. Badbreath is typically caused by bacteria present on the teeth and debris on the tongue.

So it’s no surprise that most cases of halitosis are associated with poor oral hygiene, gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis, and dry mouth, a condition in which the salivary glands cannot make enough saliva to keep your mouth moist.

A visit with a dentist may help rule out periodontal disease and identify any mouth problem that could be contributing to badbreath.

Tonsillitis, respiratory infections such as sinusitis or bronchitis, and some gastrointestinal diseases may be responsible for a small number of cases of bad breath.

Advanced liver or kidney disease and uncontrolled diabetes can also lead to unpleasant breath. In these cases, a person is likely to experience significant symptoms beyond bad breath, and should seek medical attention.