HAL-itosis

Have you ever been around someone you really liked, but he or she had bad breath?  That’s such a let down.  You really want to kiss them, but are turned off by the smell.  You want to see their face light up with a smile, but cringe when they do.  A smile is such an important expression of happiness, fun, joy and overall well - being that when yours is unsightly, it can really affect how people perceive you. 

When I was in college, we used to go to a particular bar with a very nice bouncer that had very bad breath.  We nicknamed him ‘Hal’ (for halitosis).  Poor guy had no idea.  If your teeth are bad or your breath is bad, that will turn off potential partners.  Good teeth are a sign of good health, and everybody desires a partner that is healthy enough to have adventures and romantic dates!

My cousin, Brent, who you read about here:  https://www.askthelovedame.com/post/desperate-men-are-so-unattractive  had very bad teeth.  He wasn’t a smoker, which is bad enough, but  he dipped tobacco, which is totally disgusting!  His teeth were really stained with brown stains and his gums were very red and inflamed.  It was obvious to even an untrained person that he had periodontal disease.  I repeatedly told him to fix his teeth, and even his aunt, who was his hygienist, repeatedly told him to take better care of his mouth.  For years, he didn’t listen.  Finally, he began to take care of his teeth and gums, and has a much better smile.  He also appeared to be healthier overall.

I also have a friend that everyone really likes, but her breath could knock you over.  She had a trauma from visiting a dentist and never went back.  She has very serious gum disease, and no one at her job wants to sit next to her in meetings because her breath is so offensive.

What could be the cause of bad breath?  There can be numerous causes, but here are a few ideas to look into if your breath isn’t even remotely minty fresh.

1.      Poor gut health.  If you’re not eating properly and neglecting healthy options in your diet and lifestyle, this could be causing you to have bad breath.  You might want to try eating herbs, such as fresh parsley.  This will neutralize your breath and help to freshen it up. 

2.     Dehydration.  If you’re dehydrated, this can really make your breath smell like a poorly cleaned nursing home.  Drink water!!!   Lots of water – like 2 – 3 liters per day.  This is so healthy for your entire body, and not just your mouth.   I used to tell my friend, Ce, that she had ‘nursing home breath’ when she forgot to brush her teeth and didn’t drink water.  It sounds horrible, and I do sound like a total bitch, but dehydration is often why our elderly have bad breath.

3.     Periodontal disease.  This is also known as gum disease, and can cause not only bad breath, but can also cause your teeth to fall out.  Get to the dentist to determine if you have healthy gums.  One way to know if you have gum disease is seeing your gums bleed when you brush.  Your gums should have a light pink color.  Dark or red gums are not a good sign.

4.     Lack of care. If you’re not brushing and flossing your teeth, you are asking for bad breath.  Just like you clean your private parts, you should be cleaning your mouth. 

5.     Food particles stuck.   If food particles get stuck in between and stay there, the bacteria can make your breath smell. Regular brushing and flossing can help to get those stubborn particles out of your mouth and freshen your breath. 

6.     Too much sugar.  If you have a sweet tooth like me, eating too much sugar can feed bacteria in your mouth and cause cavities that can make your breath smell.  After your sugary treat, brush the sugar away to protect your tooth enamel and freshen your breath.

Taking care of your teeth will give you more confidence to greet those you meet with a big, beautiful smile.  Your smile shows that you are open to meeting people, are friendly and that you are a happy person.  These qualities are very attractive, and can help you to land the love you desire, and having fresh breath to go with your smile won’t make people avoid being too close to you.