Doing these 7 things routinely will keep your breath fresh.
Common Causes of Halitosis (Bad Breath)
1. Bacteria: Bacteria lurk between your teeth and multiply inside your mouth. When they stagnate, they leave off bad odors and toxins causing bad breath.
2. The deep holes in your tonsils: Wide and pitted tonsils collect cheese-like smelly substance in the holes which may cause bad breath.
3. Pungent foods: Some foods such as garlic, onion and fish can cause bad breath.
4. Bad habits: Smoking or chewing tobacco can leave a strong nasty smell in your mouth cavity.
5. Troubled stomach: Sometimes problems such as ulcer or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can lead to bad breath when you burp.
To check if you have bad breath, just stick a clean finger inside your mouth and try to scrape some saliva
off from the back of your tongue. Now put it on your hand and smell your hand after some time. How does it smell? You have got your answer.
If this little diagnostic test has let you down, just follow the tips below to get that fresh breath back:
1. Brush and floss: Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. And don’t forget the tongue. Bad breath has been reduced by 70 percent by brushing the tongue, especially the back of the tongue. Brushing removes the smelly bacteria lurking in the mouth that cause bad breath. Flossing is must, for it removes the hidden food particles and the plaque.
2. Gargle everyday: Gargling with peroxide will surely keep bad breath at bay. The bacteria that cause bad breath get killed by the oxygen in the hydrogen peroxide. You can also use an antimicrobial mouthwash for excess plaque.
3. Drink lots of water: A dry mouth with reduced saliva is another reason for bad breath. So drink enough liquids and keep your mouth moist to prevent bad breath.
4. No upset stomachs: An upset stomach can lead to bad breath. Eating lots of antacids may ease an acidic stomach, but can cause halitosis when you burp. Try lactase tablets and eat healthy.
5. Eat plenty of yogurt: Yogurt promotes a healthier mouth and encourages the growth of the good bacteria in your gut. One can also eat parsley or celery between meals for fresh breath.
6. Chew gum: Chewing gum with xylitol will keep your breath fresh besides salivating your mouth. Saliva helps in washing away the bad bacteria in your mouth.
7. Visit your dentist: Have an appointment with your dentist at least once in 6 months. Get your teeth checked and an oral exam done. Gum disease and open cavities are one of the main causes of bad breath.
If bad breath persists even after taking all the precautions, it’s time to see a doctor. There may be a sign of a more serious problem or an infection like diabetes, liver or kidney disease.
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