Bad breath: You can have it but only smell it from others

Have you ever wondered why a person with bad breath cannot smell their terrible breath? And if you have never dared to point it out, have you wondered whether you have bad breath and no one has bothered to tell you? This halitosis boomerang can cause major anxiety around talking to people, whispering, and intimacy when you are worried that the other person won't tell you about your bad breath.

"The only thing worse than having bad breath is not knowing you have it."

And that is a real problem because according to Jonathan B. Levine, DMD, an associate professor at the NYU School of Dentistry, more than half of the population suffers from bad breath. "Most people do have bad breath and just do not know it," he told Everyday Health.

So how can you tell if you have bad breath?

There are a number of signs that could alert you to pay attention to your mouth health. And if you are flat-out afraid of asking someone, try asking yourself these questions.

CHECK OUT: Remedies for bad breath you can start now

Bad breath: You can have it but only smell it from others Pulse

Do you sleep with your mouth open?

Sleeping with your mouth open dries your mouth and this dryness can be a breeding ground for halitosis. If you have a nasal or allergy issue, find help to address the breathing issue.

Do you smoke or chew tobacco?

These two contribute to mouth dryness and are guaranteed to give you bad breath. Saliva contains oxygen that keeps your mouth fresh and healthy.

Do you have a white-coated tongue?

The white coating is comprised of sulfur compounds that have risen to the tongue's surface and cause bad breath.

Do you have gastric reflux?

The churning acid produced by gastric reflux can also bring about bad breath. Treating gastric reflux can get halitosis under control.

Do you eat suspect foods?

You breathe what you eat. Foods that are rich in proteins, dairy products, sugar, acid foods and drinks, can create an environment for bacteria to grow resulting in bad breath. Balance your diet out with veggies and alkalinising foods.

CHECK OUT: 6 natural drinks that are body cleansers

Do you take certain prescription or over-the-counter medications?

Some medications can cause dry mouth as a side effect, which in turn can lead to bad breath. Ask for alternatives or ways to reduce this effect.

Bad breath: You can have it but only smell it from others/Pexels Pulse

Home test for halitosis

Wipe the surface of your mouth with a piece of cotton gauze and smell it.
If you notice a yellowish stain on the cotton, that's a likely sign that you have an elevated sulfide production level.
Lick the back of your hand and let it dry for about 10 seconds, then smell it.
If you notice an odour from these tests, you may have a breath disorder because the sulfur salts from your tongue have been transferred to your hand or cotton gauze.

CHECK OUT: The best way to brush your teeth to prevent mouth odour

Why people with halitosis don't know it

The theory behind this is that our noses may filter out any bad smells coming from our mouths because we have grown accustomed to our own odours. This is because our oral cavities are connected to our noses through an opening in the back of our mouths.