Bad breath (halitosis) is a very common problem in modern society. Often, the first we know of it is from a friend or perhaps, notice an embarrassing reaction from others. It can sometimes be a symptom of a medical or digestive disorder, but generally bad breath is a result of odour-causing bacteria in the mouth.

These bacteria breakdown proteins from food debris in the mouth and the by-products can be very smelly. Thorough mouth hygiene is therefore very important in combating bad breath.

Regular and careful brushing of your teeth is important. A minimum of three minutes of gentle brushing is recommended and even cleaning the tongue with a special scraper can assist with persistent bad breath.

The tongue itself can harbour odorous materials at the back. Gum disease is another possible source of bad breath and that in itself can result from inadequate oral hygiene.

Practising good oral hygiene is probably the simplest and most likely way to reduce or even abolish bad breath in most people. Toothpaste is in the front line of prevention, closely followed by the use of a mouthrinse. Before bed is the best time for rinsing. Follow instructions, gently swooshing the rinse around the mouth and gargling helps too. Spit the mouthrinse out but don’t rinse with water.

Using mouthrinse can assist in getting to those places where brushing cannot easily reach. Above all, regular dental visits are vital.

Sarakan Mouthrinse is a well-known and respected product. It has a herbal base containing natural extract of Salvadora persica, the ‘toothbrush tree’ of Africa. Twigs from the shrub are chewed by native peoples to form a fibrous, brush-like mass, this is then used to clean the teeth and massage gums. Sarakan Mouthrinse has a pleasant taste and is flavoured with the antiseptic, natural oils of peppermint, clove and geranium. It does not contain fluoride, alcohol or SLS, an artificial foaming agent, or artificial preservatives.

To sum up:

What are the likely causes of bad breath?	What can be done to counter bad breath?
• Food residue • Poor cleaning • Strong foods • Possible stomach disorders • Lack of fluid to form saliva	• Healthy diet • Correct tooth brushing • Use mouthrinse • Use tongue scraper • Drink plenty of fluids • Regular dentist visits