That often embarrassing foul smell that emanates for the mouth is called halitosis. It is normally a sure indicator that something is quite wrong with your health. It can range from the mild halitosis but other times it becomes more permanent so you should see a doctor. It could sometimes be a sign of internal oral but also something to do with external oral issues.
The problems that are intraoral can give the mouth a bad smell which most instances are out of poor hygiene, periodonititis, stagnated food in the mouth, or teeth cavities. Some other cases occur because of diet that consist of garlic, strong smelling foods, raw onions and so forth. Xerostomia which is another name for dry mouth is another culprit, tonsillitis, other diseases such as cancer, kidney disorders and diabetes too can cause the same.
Halitosis can even originate from sinusitis, pneumonia, bronchitis and gastritis. This phenomenon can easily be tested at home. You can do this by exhaling with your mouth and nose covered by the hand. That is when you will likely notice a bad smell and realize that it is a symptom of halitosis. It is stronger especially if you do this in the mornings.
The reason it happens is due to less saliva in the mouth while one is asleep. The smelly mouth becomes fresh as soon as the teeth are brushed each morning, but of course if you are a smoker the halitosis will definitely continue.
One thing you must do is to see your dentist regularly to ascertain the reason for the bad breath. If it persists, you should first of all make a list of all the foods and medication you use.
The dentist should also be informed if you had any surgeries of late that could have any bearing to this. If nothing intraoral is detected, the next step is to get a medical practitioner to perform some tests.
Once the right diagnostics have been obtained, the right treatment plan will be given even though it is still important that you embark on proper oral hygiene to deter any dental problems. It also helps in making the breath fresh. All it takes is to brush your teeth twice each day, particularly after every meal to reduce the bad breath.
Dentists advice that one should brush the tongue also to remove the bacteria that normally would lodge in between the papillae. Of course those who make use of mouth rinses are also protected from other microorganisms too. Dental floss can be used to actually go in between the teeth. If you chew tobacco or smoke some, be sure to see your GP to advice how you can stop this dangerous habit.