Halitosis is the condition of having fetid breath (bad breath). Its direct cause is not really known but it may be due to one of the following.

• Dirty mouth. There is no dirt that smells well, including dirt in the mouth. Trapped food in dental crevices and spaces causes the formation of plaque, dirt in the mouth.
• Cavities and gum disease. The presence of infections makes a mouth sore, and a sore mouth usually has a sorry odor.
• Lung or gastric condition. The air exhaled in breathing comes from the lungs and if the lungs have something that creates the “bad air”, then the lungs are the culprit. Gastric conditions, too, could contribute to having halitosis. The frequent ingestion of strongly odorous food like garlic, onions and alcohol creates a systemic effect that lets the body produce foul smell, including bad breath.
• Smoking. Tobacco has a naturally occurring odor that many people dislike and only the smokers like.

Here are some ways on how to breath your bad breath away.

Keep your mouth clean. That means a thorough brushing at least twice a day. It also means flossing regularly. Food and bacteria trapped between teeth and at the gum line can only be removed with floss; if it’s left to linger, it’s not going to smell nice.

Clean your tongue, too. Bacteria left on your tongue can certainly contribute to less-than-fresh breath, so be sure to brush your tongue after you’ve polished your pearly whites.

Wet your whistle. A dry mouth can equal a smelly breath. Saliva helps clean your mouth; it has a natural antibacterial action and it washes away food particles. There is truth to the claim that the reduced flow of saliva at night explains the morning breath. Try chewing sugarless gum or sucking on sugarless mints to stimulate saliva production.

Rinse. If nothing else, at least rinse your mouth with plain water after eating. Swishing the water around in your mouth may help to remove some of the food particles left in the mouth after a meal. Don’t swallow the rinsing liquid you use, please.

Munch on parsley. That green sprig of parsley that comes with your meal can do more than decorate your plate. While munching on parsley or spearmint won’t cure bad breath, the scent of the herb itself can help temporarily cover up offending oral odor.

Eat to smell sweet. Foods that help fight plaque may also help fight mouth odor. Opt for celery, carrots, peanuts, or a bit of low-fat cheese if you want something to snack on. A healthy diet will help your teeth as well.

If you’ve tried all possible solutions to solving your bad breath and still can’t get rid of it, remember, “Halitosis is better than no breath at all.”