Can anyone define for me the definition of Bad Breath? I define it as someone with unpleasant and terribly offensive breath odor. If the person consistently has this offensive order,then it is Halitosis….which is a nicer word to use, defining…bad breath,occurring on a daily basis!

There are several reasons why a person may have odor to the breath. One of the reasons is the body ridding itself of excess acetone, not to mention that there could… very well be… a break down of proteins in the mouth. Another is if a person is ill and has to have a Nasogastric Tube in place. I experienced this particular tube myself when I was hospitalized a few years ago. It is a tube placed through the nose or mouth to the stomach. I could only imagine what my breath must have smelled like…during that time and I am sure that I offended lots of family members and friends who came to visit me. Lastly, there is chronic kidney failure, which can add to breath- odor.

There are several causes of bad breath, such as: poor dental hygiene, eating certain foods like garlic, raw onions or drinking coffee. There are also cavities, smoking, alcoholism, throat infections, sinusitis, Gum Disease and drugs, not to mention a few others, that can cause the rise of the smell of feces to occur in the mouth.

One important thing about bad breath is that it doesn’t discriminate. No matter how much money one has, the high status held in position, grace, charm and beauty, intelligence and expensive cars and clothes…if your breath smells….none of it matters! All anyone can smell is that horrific odor. You best believe, my friend, that the bad breath is all that they will remember about you too. Let’s face it…bad breath is embarrassing, although not contagious. The most peculiar thing about having breath odor is that the Human sense of smell has the ability to adjust which creates another problem. One doesn’t often know that he/she has breath odor.

Listen--if you are one of those individual’s …like myself…that simply will never muster up enough nerve to tell someone …whether they be a relative, co-worker or spouse…that their breath is deadly to your sense of smell…than do the obvious. Avoid them like the plague! Below is a 10 Step Guide to Avoiding a Person with Bad Breath.

I know…it sounds like a really awful thing to be writing about…but hey…it’s real! I am quite sure that at least 1 out of every 10 people knows someone whose breath is kicking every time they get close to them…so…here they are:

1. Stand far enough away from him/her in conversation so that you will not be obvious when you start to frown and twitch your nose.

2. Try to converse over the telephone instead of in person as often as possible.

3. Keep an assortment of mints or sugar free gum close by or on your person and offer he/she one…but only as an after-thought and after you’ve eaten one and have offered to others …as well.

4. The restroom excuse is a very good one…but should not be used too many times, as a measure of escape.

5. Hide… when you see them coming!

6. For those who are married and can’t hide…start cooking with herbs. According to Dr. Christine Gerbstadt (Who was said to have lectured on oral health) …Coriander, Spearmint, Tarragon, Eucalyptus, Rosemary and Cardamom are good for helping breath-odor.

7. Pretend that you have something urgent to do and disappear…in a hurry …of course.

8. Hold your breath…for as long as you can…then turn away to exhale so that you can breathe….repeat …until the person is gone.

9. Cough in your hand…like you have a slight cold…it will help you breath in your hand, while breathing in your own breath and hopefully the person will be annoyed by your coughing and leave.

10. Put this article in a place where it can be seen…as an FYI…on the outside of your
cube or on the refrigerator at home.

Remember…no one likes to be around anyone with bad breath, but there are ways to cure it... be it... visiting the doctor for illness or simply changing the way we prepare foods and eat. Eating lots of apples, carrots, celery and fiber-rich fruits or vegetables can be a great way to combat breath odor, so that you don’t become the next person that someone has in mind when reading articles that list the 10 Step Guide to Avoiding a Person with Bad Breath.