How Do I get Rid of Bad Breath?
Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is an unpleasant odor of the mouth. It is something that absolutely no one wants and can sometimes be a sensitive topic. Bad breath indicates something not going right in your body, and that could be a bacterial imbalance or lack of detoxification. But if you want to cure it, then first you need to know the root cause of bad breath.
Normally, it’s caused due to the bad bacteria buildup, mostly sulphur-producing bacteria that normally live on the surface of the tongue and in the throat. Halitosis can also be caused by foods a person eats, poor oral hygiene, medical conditions, or other unhealthy lifestyle habits.
However, optimum oral health through good oral hygiene can be achieved by regular visits to dental clinic and of course by adopting these simple but effective habits to treat bad breath –
Hydrate – Saliva in the mouth helps get rid of the bacteria that cause halitosis. Skipping meals, fasting and starvation may likewise call the occurrence of a temporary bad breath because of decreased saliva production; therefore, we need to keep your mouth moist. Drinking 7-8 glasses of water per day is one of the simplest steps you can take to curb bad breath. You can also prevent dry mouth by chewing gum, lozenges, or mints that are sugar-free.
Proper Oral Care – Brushing and flossing help to remove any food and plaque which can be used as a fuel source by the anaerobic, sulfur-producing bacteria that are at the root of this problem. Brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day. Be sure to get a toothbrush with soft bristles (as to not damage tooth enamel or gums) and also use fluoride toothpaste.
Eat Fibrous Fruits and Vegetables – Reducing your sugar intake, loading up more on healing, high fiber foods like vegetables and seasonal fruits help prevent halitosis. Choose foods that increase saliva flow in your mouth. Avoid eating heavily processed foods that contain refined carbohydrates such as cookies, cakes, sweets and ice cream, etc. Include more probiotic-rich foods as much as you can in your diet, like yogurt, kefir, etc; can help kill off yeast and microbes that can cause bad breath. One of the best ways to remove bacteria in the mouth is to eat an apple a day. It helps moisten the mouth.
Clean your Tongue – Halitosis-causing compounds first form on your tongue and then in your mouth when bacteria and amino acids combine, emit an unpleasant sulfur-like smell. Therefore, it is best to use a tongue scraper to eliminate odor-causing bacteria on the tongue.
Use Mouth Rinse – Some mouthwashes or oral rinses are effective at preventing bad breath. However, make sure you do not use alcohol based mouthwashes because the alcohol makes the mouth very dry, which in turn make the problem worse.
Last but not the least, don’t forget to visit the dentist twice a year for professional cleanings and checkups combined with aforesaid tips give you a fresher, whiter, brighter smile, and better breath all the time.
