Bad breath is an irritating and embarrassing problem that can affect our relationships with family, friends and colleagues if left untreated.
Many people mistake smelly breath to be caused by what we eat but it is usually the sulphur compounds from our digestive system that trigger bad breath.
Sulphur compounds are released when the anaerobic bacteria on our tongue and throat meet bad oral tissue, blood or amino acids in food.
In addition, several other health and oral hygiene factors are also responsible for the onset of bad breath, including a dry mouth and gum disease.
Therefore, we should ideally consult a dentist or periodontist first to find out what exactly is causing trouble.
Unfortunately, many easily accessible remedies that claim to get rid of bad breath are not only ineffective but can also worsen the problem.
Remember to only buy infomercial products with the ADA seal of approval on the packaging.
A prevalent misconception amongst dental patients surveyed by The American Academy of Periodontology is that using mouthwash a lot can cure bad breath.
Instead, we should avoid overusing mouthwash, as it builds up smelly tissues in our mouth in the long term.
Another bad fix is to use chewing gum and breath mints to ensure a healthy breath.
Gums and mints are only temporary fixes to fight stinky breath and the sugars in these products also increase our risk of tooth decay.
Likewise, mint chew tobacco causes our gums to recede.
If all our teeth falling out is not a frightening enough prospect, then it must be mentioned that mint chew tobacco increases our risk of getting oral cancer.
Contrary to popular belief, stink breath is not caused by our stomach but, as we now know, the sulphur compounds in our mouth.
Therefore, never use intestinal cleansing methods to cure bad breath- it just won't work.
On the other hand, do not attempt to get rid of the sulphur compounds by rinsing with kerosene or brushing our teeth with cleanser.
Both methods are painful and dangerous.
A simple thing we can do is to refrain from drinking too much alcohol as it dries out the saliva in our mouth.
Saliva is needed to remove oral bacteria that can cause chronic halitosis.
Take note to especially stay away from sour mash whiskey and vodka martinis, which will no doubt worsen the problem.
Instead, aim to drink a lot of water throughout the day.
What is more, we should resist the temptation to get any tongue piercings.
Tongue jewellry allows bacteria to collect on our tongue which increases our chances of having bad breath.