For any teenager, suffering from bad breath can be a major embarrassment, especially when trying to have a ‘romantic’ interlude with a girlfriend, or whispering something confidential to a friend.

Halitosis or bad breath is primarily caused by oral bacteria which produce a bad smell while growing in the mouth, but halitosis can be avoided by taking a few preventive steps.

Causes of Bad Breath.

Bad breath is caused by the bacteria if the habit of regular brushing and flossing is not carried out, and it is the sulphur compounds from the mouth bacteria which cause the bad smell.

Certain kinds of food will contribute to bad breath if eaten. Onions and Garlic contain strong smelling oils, which are carried to the lungs and breathed out of the mouth.There are many stories about dealing with bad breath which are plainly just not true, here are a few of them, and they should not be considered in any way as a cure for bad breath.

Using Mouthwash Will Eliminate Bad Breath , Not True!  If a mouthwash is to be used, ensure it is recommended by the American Dental Association as being antiseptic and a destroyer of halitosis germs.

No Bad Breath Experienced if Regular Brushing is Carried Out.  NOT True! Most people spend too little time brushing their teeth, they should be brushed for a minimum of 2 minutes twice each day, flossing is equally important, and don’t forget to brush the tongue.

Bad Breath Can Be Detected by Breathing into the Hand.  This is False! The throat muscles do not operate in the same way when breathing, as they do when speaking. Bad breath originates in the back of the throat and is issued outwards when speaking, breathing does not do this, it originates in the lungs. People tend to be accustomed to their own body smells, so it is difficult for them to recognize if they have bad breath

If the teen is unduly concerned about bad breath, he/she should seriously check out their oral hygiene habits.

If regular brushing and flossing do not solve the bad breath problem, and the halitosis persists, then the advice of a dentist should be sought, since it could be a sign of either sinusitis or a gum disease

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