Bad breath is a very common problem that many people suffer from. It is usually thought to be caused by poor dental hygiene, but there are other issues that can cause it. Even if you brush your teeth two or three times per day, bad breath won’t go away completely.
The foods we eat and the habits we participate in can play a huge role in bad breath. For example, onions, garlic, tobacco, and alcohol all have a negative impact on how your breath smells. When food is digested, certain substances are released from food into the bloodstream, which then go to the lungs, which then gets exhaled.
Here are some ways to reduce the effects of bad breath:
1 – Go beyond brushing your teeth. Use dental floss to remove bacteria that has built up between your teeth, and use the tongue scraper to scrape the hidden bacteria tucked within your tongue, but be gentle of course. Brushing your teeth is just a part of your regime for cleaning your mouth. Brushing, flossing, and scraping the tongue, will cover a lot of ground at removing odor-causing bacteria and germs. You might want to finish off with some minty mouthwash or Listerine too. Gargling and swishing will cover the areas missed by the previous methods.
2 – Consider changing your diet. Eating garlic and onions regularly can contribute to pungent breath regardless if you brush, floss, and scrape regularly. The odor of these foods are incredibly strong, and can remain in your throat for quite awhile.
3 – If you have a health problem that causes bad breath, talk to your doctor, not just your dentist. Obviously, your dentist can tell you if your bad breath is caused by your mouth or from some other problem, but a doctor could determine if you have something more specific going on in your body that is contributing to it – like an infection.
4 – Drinking water is also a great way to combat bad breath. Dry mouth is truly a feast for bacteria as they can take root in your mouth and wreak havoc. Drinking water can continuously bathe your tongue and throat, while keeping your body hydrated, salivary glands running fluidly, and your mind alert.
5 – Avoid chewing gun. The sugar in chewing gum creates cavities. These cavities are like little havens for bacteria to flourish. Eating nicotine gum with sugar substitutes can cause your body to react badly to it and result in digestive problems and bad breath too. Try fresh mint or licorice instead. Or drink tea. Unsweetened Tea has antioxidant power as well as chemical compounds that could limit the growth of odor-causing bacteria in the mouth.
