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Bad Breath is All Too Common but Follow These 7 Easy Tips to Fight It

Reviewed by Sandra Freeman, MD

Halitosis (also known as chronic bad breath) is embarrassing and unpleasant for both the person who suffers from it and anyone unfortunate enough to talk with them in close proximity. With over 90 million suffering from bad breath, it is time to do something about it, with these 7 easy tips to guide you to sweeter smelling breath…

Don’t neglect your tongue

Good oral health is probably the most important factor to avoid bad breath. It is the decaying food particles and bacteria in your mouth that causes an unpleasant smell, which is why it is so important to remove any remaining pieces of food. Everyone knows to brush and floss his or her teeth at least twice a day but did you know that brushing your tongue is also important. Use your toothbrush to gently brush your tongue to remove any bacteria that may have built up on it.

Stephen Z. Wolner, a dentist currently practising in New York says that a clean tongue goes a long way to preventing bad breath as food particles can get trapped in the millions of bumps of your tongue. He advises that everyone get into the habit of regularly cleaning his or her tongue with a tongue cleaner or toothbrush.

Drink plenty of water

Water has tons of health benefits, but one of them is keeping the bacteria in your mouth at a minimum. Even if you don’t think you’re thirsty, keep drinking regularly to stay hydrated and to help prevent your mouth from getting dry.

Have some chewing gum handy

Ever wondered why your breath always smells bad in the morning? Whilst you are sleeping your production of saliva slows down, leaving you with a dry mouth. Without saliva to wash away bacteria and small particles, you can end up with a build up which releases a bad odour. If you find your mouth getting dry in the day, try chewing on some sugar free gum. Eating mints only temporarily masks the smell but chewing gum encourages saliva production, reducing the effects of a dry mouth. Saliva not only washes out the bacteria but the natural enzymes and antiseptic that it contains also help to break down the bacteria,

Xylitol, a sugar substitute now found in some chewing gum helps to reduce and prevent bacteria building up in your mouth so when you are trying to decide which of the many kinds of gum to buy remember to look for one containing Xylitol and you will be well on your well to fresher breath. An alternative, which has also been found to reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth, is cinnamon flavoured gum. Cinnamon does not just mask bad breath like other favours do but actually helps to fight and prevent it.

Up the carbohydrates

Bad breath is a potential side effect of low-carbohydrate diets. If your bad breath has occurred since cutting out the carbs you may want to try indulging in some bread every now and then.

Try using a water pick

While using a toothbrush is a good start, you can’t get into all the nooks and crannies using this method alone. Try using a water pick or irrigator to really clean everything around your gums and between your teeth. If you have ever smelt the floss once your done using it you will know what kind of smell those rotten pieces of food are releasing in your mouth.

Check with your dentist or doctor

If you know you have good oral hygiene and still can’t get rid of your bad breath, visit your dentist so they can check for dental problems such as decay or cavities, which could be the culprit. Some infections and other illnesses can present themselves via bread breath so if your dentist can’t find an explanation make an appointment with your doctor.

Don’t let yourself become paranoid

A surprising number of people are convinced they are suffering from bad breath when actually they are not. Ask a friend or family member for a second opinion before you get paranoid about talking or breathing too close to someone.

Tags:bad breath

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