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So you meet the guy/gal of your dreams, and conversation is going well, until you notice something wrong. They look like they are about to gag, and excusing themselves, walk off! If you know where this is going, you probably are aware of what the problem is: your breath stinks!

To put it more politely, you are suffering from Halitosis, which is just the clinical name for bad breath. Not only is Halitosis a major block in one’s social life, it is also an important medical and clinical sign that something is not quite right with one’s body. In any case, it is an embarrassment, so the main concern is getting rid of bad breath, and fast!

Management of halitosis is done at two levels: the immediate and the long term level. Immediate management of halitosis means treating an emergency condition when you need to pull yourself together and get rid of the bad breath as soon as possible. Long term management aims at removing the root cause of halitosis, which is best diagnosed by a dentist or general physician.

Habits like smoking, poor oral hygiene, caries and food impaction are all predisposing factors. To avoid having bad breath:

•  Try and quit smoking if you are a smoker and stay away from cigarettes if you are thinking of experimenting. It will do your health good anyway.
• Adopt good oral hygiene habits. This includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day with a good quality, preferably sugar free toothpaste.
• Flossing regularly and use of Chlorhexidine mouthwashes are two of the best habits you can adopt to save yourself from embarrassing malodor.
• Also, it is important to keep the tongue surface clean, as most food debris can get collected in microscopic irregularities on your tongue. Buy a tongue cleaner or use your toothbrush to lightly rub on the surface of your tongue.
• If you have any dental problems like caries or calculus, visit your dentist as soon as possible and get rid of the same. Regular scaling, dental check up and thorough cleaning of teeth are advisable.

Diabetics are also predisposed to malodor, as are people taking certain medications like certain antimicrobials. Certain hormonal changes are also responsible for bad breath. In such cases, prevention is hardly within one’s own hands, and it is best to consult your doctor. And of course, there is always chewing gum: the fastest temporary fix!