Six Tips to Eliminate Bad Breath
“To maintain fresh breath, brush your teeth correctly and use dental floss. Stay hydrated throughout the day and reduce your alcohol, tobacco, and cigarette consumption. Tongue scraping and chewing gum are also effective solutions. However, some diseases and medications can cause halitosis, so discuss it with your doctor.”
Bad breath is a common condition that affects many people in their daily lives. More than 70% of cases of “halitosis” result from poor oral hygiene. There are various methods known to combat bad breath, including chewing gum, toothpaste, tongue scraping, and more. Here are six practical tips to bid farewell to foul breath.
1. Treat Your Cavities
In more than 70% of cases, bad breath originates from oral issues such as cavities, gingivitis, periodontitis, abscesses, etc. Halitosis is caused by the release of foul-smelling volatile sulfur compounds resulting from the accumulation of bacteria between the teeth. To get rid of bad breath, it’s recommended to visit the dentist at the first sign of cavities.
2. Brush Your Teeth Properly
To prevent foul breath, brush your teeth correctly. Ideally, you should do this twice a day, after every meal in the morning and evening. Also, remember to replace your toothbrush at least every two months. Daily flossing is an excellent option to reduce bad breath as it removes food residues between the teeth, preventing cavities in hard-to-reach areas. Finally, use mouthwash to complement brushing. It’s a very effective solution for disinfection.
3. Use a Tongue Scraper
Tongue scraping is often recommended to combat morning breath. Saliva acts as a “cleaner” for bacteria in the mouth. Throughout the night, a bacterial deposit forms in our mouth due to reduced saliva secretion, which can lead to bad breath, as many studies have shown. A tongue scraper is the most effective solution to eliminate such a deposit.
4. Chewing Gum
If you ever skip a brushing, you can always resort to chewing gum. However, specialists recommend sugar-free gum, regardless of the flavor. They stimulate saliva production, which cleans your teeth. In addition to chewing gum, apples are an excellent alternative because they have a similar effect.
5. Watch Your Diet
Certain foods contain molecules that can cause bad breath, such as spices, garlic, and onions. Inadequate daily hydration can also contribute to halitosis. Therefore, it’s advisable to drink plenty of water before going to bed to prevent bad morning breath. Keep in mind that alcohol, tobacco, and cigarettes can make your breath foul, emitting longer-lasting odors. Try to reduce your consumption, if not quit completely.
6. Consult Your Doctor
Bad breath persists despite good dental hygiene? Seek your doctor’s assistance because the cause is likely elsewhere, such as digestive problems (gastric hyperacidity, lung infections, gastroesophageal reflux), nose and throat infections (sinusitis, tonsillitis, rhinitis, etc.). The only solution to address your bad breath will be to treat the underlying disease. Additionally, over 300 medications can also cause halitosis, so don’t hesitate to discuss this with your doctor.
