There isn’t much that can put an end to a date, job interview or casual conversation with a neighbor faster than bad breath. Known as halitosis, bad breath is a common problem that can affect people of any age. In fact, about 1 in 4 people suffer from bad breath on a regular basis. Bacteria that live inside the mouth, on the tongue and tonsils is often the cause.
Some of the factors leading to bad breath are
- Buildup of bacteria on the back and under layer of the tongue. This can easily be resolved by following a good oral care regime.
- An infected or rotting tooth. Fix the tooth and bad breath will go away too.
- Eating too much spicy food or odor-producing foods. Such foods may not cause bad breath immediately, but choose your food wisely to help reduce the frequency.
- Tonsil stones. Consult a physician to get rid of the kidney stones as well as bad breath.
- Health problems such as cancer, liver or kidney disease. If the tips below don’t work for you, ask your doctor for possible solutions.
- Dry mouth. Chew gum and drink plenty of water to combat and wash away bacteria that stick to a dry mouth.
Practice good dental hygiene
To get rid of bad breath, it is essential to practice good dental hygiene. There are certain steps that you need to follow daily.
Brush your teeth
First, brush your teeth properly for at least two minutes, twice a day. Use a good quality toothbrush and choose toothpaste that contains baking soda and peroxide, which are excellent cleansing agents. All these elements will make a lot of difference in keeping bacteria away from your teeth and gum line.
Floss daily
Most odor-producing plaque lives in the cracks and creases of the gum line and between the teeth. Daily flossing will prevent plaque buildup and help eliminate the source of foul odors.
Scrape your tongue
Keep your tongue clean and free of bacteria buildup. You can buy a tongue scraper or use your toothbrush or the edge of a spoon.
Rinse your mouth
Swishing with plain water throughout the day is helpful but may not fully eliminate odor-causing bacteria and plaque buildup. Twice a day (morning and night), rinse your mouth with an over-the-counter mouthwash or a homemade solution of one-half teaspoon of salt dissolved in lukewarm water.
Prevent dry mouth
Dry mouth is one of the main causes of bad breath. Chew sugarless gum to stimulate the production of saliva. Saliva helps wash away bacteria and food particles and has antiseptic properties and enzymes that help kill bacteria that causes bad breath.Sugar creates plaque, and it could add to the problem if you chew sugary gum.
Drink water
Water is essential for overall health and to keep your mouth moist. Water keeps the body well hydrated and this helps maintain fresh smelling breath. From time to time, especially after eating a meal, swish water rigorously in your mouth to help wash away food particles and bacteria before they settle in your mouth.
Say no to smoking
Smoking always leads to bad breath. Nicotine present in cigarettes is the main culprit and there is no treatment for combating this cause of halitosis. Also, as smoking is harmful for your health, it is a good idea to avoid it.
Regular dental checkups
Be sure to get regular dental checkups. A dental hygienist will professionally clean your teeth and remove any plaque buildup deep in the crevices. After a thorough checkup, a dentist can tell you if there may be another cause behind frequent or persistent bad breath and give you advice on preventive steps you can take. Health experts suggest seeing a dentist at least twice a year.
Role of diet in controlling bad breath
Eating a healthy diet comprised of natural, unprocessed foods rich in vitamins, minerals and key nutrients can help prevent or eliminate bad breath.
Source : 1
Source : 1