KarmaSutra
Banned
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2005
- Messages
- 4,818
- Reaction score
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- Age
- 53
I told a story in STR8UP's thread about hugs and handshakes about a girl I leaned into and it was hinted that "someone" should start a thread on combating bad breath and how to get out of a precarious predicament if you find yourself in close proximity of the dreaded yuck mouth.
First, let's all get on the same page:
Halitosis
Halitosis, oral malodor (scientific term), breath odor, foul breath, fetor oris, or most commonly bad breath are terms used to describe noticeably unpleasant odors exhaled in breathing – whether the smell is from an oral source or not. In most cases (85-90%), bad breath originates in the mouth itself.[2] The intensity of bad breath differs during the day, as a function of oral dryness, (which may be due to stress or fasting), eating certain foods (such as garlic, onions, meat, fish and cheese), smoking and alcohol consumption.[3] Because the mouth is dry and inactive during the night, the odor is usually worse upon awakening ("morning breath"). Bad breath may be transient, often disappearing following eating, brushing one's teeth, flossing, and rinsing with specialized mouthwash.
Bad breath may also be persistent (Chronic bad breath), which is a more serious condition, affecting some 25% of the population in varying degrees.[4] It can negatively impact the individual's personal, social and business relationships, leading to poor self-esteem and increased stress. This condition is usually caused by the metabolic activity of certain types of oral bacteria.
source wikipedia
I've had the misfortune of meeting people who have breath that smelled like they gargle with sardines and turpentine. Does it make them bad, no. But they have to know how offensive that is to other people. Ignorance is certainly not blissful. So what can we do to help? Tell them. Be curt and use some tact but it's best for them and everyone in the vicinity to acknowledge what's going on.
I always have a can of Altoids or mentos in my pocket. If someone's breathing dragon fire my way I politely offer them one or ten (depending on how concentrated the odor).
It's akin to B.O. but that's another animal altogether . . .
First, let's all get on the same page:
Halitosis
Halitosis, oral malodor (scientific term), breath odor, foul breath, fetor oris, or most commonly bad breath are terms used to describe noticeably unpleasant odors exhaled in breathing – whether the smell is from an oral source or not. In most cases (85-90%), bad breath originates in the mouth itself.[2] The intensity of bad breath differs during the day, as a function of oral dryness, (which may be due to stress or fasting), eating certain foods (such as garlic, onions, meat, fish and cheese), smoking and alcohol consumption.[3] Because the mouth is dry and inactive during the night, the odor is usually worse upon awakening ("morning breath"). Bad breath may be transient, often disappearing following eating, brushing one's teeth, flossing, and rinsing with specialized mouthwash.
Bad breath may also be persistent (Chronic bad breath), which is a more serious condition, affecting some 25% of the population in varying degrees.[4] It can negatively impact the individual's personal, social and business relationships, leading to poor self-esteem and increased stress. This condition is usually caused by the metabolic activity of certain types of oral bacteria.
source wikipedia
I've had the misfortune of meeting people who have breath that smelled like they gargle with sardines and turpentine. Does it make them bad, no. But they have to know how offensive that is to other people. Ignorance is certainly not blissful. So what can we do to help? Tell them. Be curt and use some tact but it's best for them and everyone in the vicinity to acknowledge what's going on.
I always have a can of Altoids or mentos in my pocket. If someone's breathing dragon fire my way I politely offer them one or ten (depending on how concentrated the odor).
It's akin to B.O. but that's another animal altogether . . .
