Halitosis - do you pass the bad breath test?
Does opening your mouth let you down with girls? It could be you need elocution or it could be you have halitosis.
Halitosis or bad breath is the ultimate put-off for a budding relationship. Beauty is quite rightly in the eye of the beholder and there should be someone for everyone but the nauseating smell of bad breath is right there to spoil that romantic moment when the rest of the universe disappears as you kiss your chosen one. The problem is that the victim of bad breath will almost certainly find it impossible to hide their reaction when they stand right there in the firing line and this is guaranteed to offend.
If you are a sufferer from halitosis, then you need to be able to spot when it is occurring and then deal with it; hopefully on a permanent basis.
Bad breath has nothing to do with having white teeth although these are a big step towards having fresh breath. Therefore, while it is most definitely an enviable status, simply being able to admire your pearly-white tombstone teeth in a mirror should not be taken as a guarantee that you do not have a breath problem.
The trouble is that checking for halitosis is difficult; it really needs another person to help you with it. Ideally, before a date, get a friend to check you for mouth odor by breathing on them. Be careful to make sure that you exhale from your mouth and not from your nose as that would represent a different problem - the sort that you should seek medical help for.
If you are a bit short of friends or don't have the time to find one, then the next best thing is to use your hand to take a saliva sample from the back of your mouth. Use a clean handkerchief to wipe around the back of your tongue - as far back as you can reach - and then leave the handkerchief to dry out for about a minute. Then check the cloth for odor - if it smells, you have bad breath.
The good news is that most bad breath is caused by rotting food trapped between your teeth and your gums. Thorough brushing and flossing will quickly remove this food and, with it, the bulk of your problem. Flossing can be made more effective by use of a mouthwash and this will mean an immediate improvement. Dental floss is cheap and easy to use. It comes in various flavors and textures - the tape version is quite good as it is gentler on sensitive gums.
If the problem persists then it is likely your gums have become infected and this is something a dentist or a dental hygienist can usually fix. It is not a painful experience - in fact the feeling of squeakily-clean teeth afterwards can be very confidence-boosting in itself. Bad gums are a serious matter and, if left unattended, can result in major dental problems so don't be backward in coming forward.
Halitosis doesn't have to be with you for life. Just follow these few simple steps and you can improve your sex appeal, increase your self-esteem. Kiss goodbye to that halitosis!
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