Bad breath is often caused by ineffective oral hygiene, medical conditions like diabetes and medication side effects.
Spotting bad breath in others is so easy but most people with halitosis are not aware that they have it. Just about everyone has had bad breath, but for some it’s a persistent problem.
If you’re not sure if you have it, the best way to find out is to ask a loved one. If you are not comfortable doing so, here’s a simple test that you can do. Lick your wrist or the back of your hand and sniff. If the smell is bad, you can be sure your breath is too.
Bad breath is often caused by ineffective oral hygiene, medical conditions like diabetes and medication side effects.
Here are some ways to get rid of bad breath.
- Brush twice a day and floss daily to clean your mouth and remove food trapped between your teeth that may later turn stale and smell nasty.
- Use a tongue scraper to clean the surfaces of your tongue that’s often missed by brushing alone.
- Chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva flow and stop your mouth from drying out. A dry mouth can lead to bad breath.
- Quit smoking.
- Thoroughly rinse your mouth with water after eating or snacking if you are unable to brush.
- Snack on apples, pears, carrots, celeries and cucumbers. These crunchies encourage production of saliva.
- Eat fruits that are rich in Vitamin C like berries and guavas. Vitamin C helps fight gum diseases and gingivitis which cause bad breath.
- Switch to an alcohol-free mouthwash. Alcohol can dry out and irritate your mouth.
- If you’re on medications, be sure to inform your dentist about them. A lot of meds can cause dry mouth.
- Make sure that you visit your dentist at least twice a year for checkups and dental cleanings.
If you’re already practicing these and nasty breath annoyingly persists, ask your dental practitioner for additional advice and discuss new treatment options.
If you have questions or need to schedule an appointment, contact us.
