Q: I have a dental problem. I brush my teeth twice a day but I still have bad breath.

A:You seem to be suffering from a condition called halitosis or bad breath. The most common cause of halitosis is bad teeth and gum conditions. Dental decay at the roots of the teeth may result in abscesses in the gums with foul-smelling, pus giving an objectionable odour to the breath. Even small holes in the teeth may provide a place where germs can multiply and release foul orders. Other causes of halitosis are any conditions of the nerves, throat, respiratory tract, or stomach which are associated with chronic infection or local upsets of one sort or another, such as chronic tonsillitis, lung diseases like chronic bronchitis and bronchiectasis, chronic gastritis and sinuses which cause a discharge at the back of the throat. Most cases of bad breath, however, are caused by gastro-intestinal disorders, intestinal sluggishness and particularly by chronic constipation. The unpleasant odour results from an exceptionally large amount of waste matter expelled through the lungs. Chewing pan and tobacco and smoking are other causes of bad breath. The diseases like anaemia may also lead to unpleasant breath.

Treatment for halitosis or bad breath:-