Bad breath isn't only gross - it's embarrassing and can put people off of talking to you altogether. But you don't have to suffer with bad breath any longer! In this article, we'll cover some causes of bad breath and some simple tips that you can use to fix bad breath (halitosis) for good.
What causes bad breath?
Bad breath, or halitosis, can be caused by a variety of factors such as dry mouth, poor dental hygiene, gum disease and certain foods. The most common cause of bad breath is the bacteria that lives in your mouth and causes plaque buildup. Plaque accumulates because it is not removed properly by brushing and flossing. When you have bad breath it means that the plaque has not been removed from your teeth for a while and it has started to decompose.
What does this mean? It means that some of the acid-producing bacteria will produce sulfur gas when they break down proteins. The sulfur compounds are what gives off the offensive odour associated with bad breath!
So, to get rid of bad breath there are three things you need to do: first, brush your teeth twice a day; second, rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash; thirdly brush again after eating garlic or onion.
8 Ways to fix bad breath:
Step 1: Quit smoking
Smoking is the most common cause of bad breath. Smoking will not only stain your teeth and make them more susceptible to decay, but it can also dry out the mouth, which can lead to increased bacteria levels in your saliva that causes halitosis. Quitting smoking is the easiest way to get rid of bad breath. You may need to buy some gum or mints for when you crave a cigarette.
Step 2: Control stress
Stress can lead to bad breath by causing increased bacteria production in the mouth. Stress may also cause dry mouth, which is another contributor to bad breath. Drinking plenty of fluids and eating a diet rich in vitamin-rich fresh fruits and vegetables can help control stress. Yoga, meditation, or other relaxation techniques can also be helpful for reducing stress levels. You should see improvement with your breath within just one week.
Step 3: Brush and floss regularly
The most important thing you can do for your breath is brush and floss regularly. That way, bacteria and food particles don't build up in your mouth, causing bad breath. Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss once a day. It's also best not to drink or eat anything after brushing your teeth.
Drink plenty of water to keep your mouth moist, which helps prevent dryness that leads to irritation and bad breath. If you're sick, wash out your mouth as often as possible by drinking a lot of fluids. Eat soft foods such as bananas, applesauce, scrambled eggs, cottage cheese or yogurt when it hurts too much to chew anything solid.
LEARN: How to maintain good oral health: Teeth and Gums
Step 4: Drink plenty of water
Drinking water is a major component of keeping your mouth and teeth clean. It also helps your body produce saliva, which moistens the mouth and washes away bacteria. Drinking plenty of water can help keep bad breath at bay, but you should also make sure you are brushing and flossing properly, as well as visiting the dentist for check-ups every six months or so.
Bad breath may be an indication that something else in your life needs attention, such as stress or poor diet. Keep in mind that while it's normal to have occasional bouts with bad breath, persistent issues could indicate an underlying medical condition that needs attention.
Step 5: Take probiotics
Studies show that taking probiotics can help boost the levels of good bacteria in your body and keep bad breath at bay. Probiotics are found in many foods, including yogurt and sauerkraut. You can also take them as a supplement.
Step 6: Brush twice a day
Dentists recommend brushing twice a day with an electric toothbrush or a toothpaste containing baking soda. Brushing will not only clean away food particles, but it will also remove the acids that cause bad breath. Make sure you brush all surfaces of your teeth, especially those on the back where food particles often get stuck.
Step 7: Use mouthwash properly
For best results, use mouthwash right before going to bed and wait two minutes before brushing your teeth. If you must brush your mouth after using mouthwash, make sure you brush the inside of your cheeks and tongue. It's also important that you don't eat or drink anything for fifteen minutes after using mouthwash.
Another tip is to gargle with salt water, which will kill any bacteria in your throat. Another remedy is chewing a clove of fresh garlic daily, as it will clear out bacteria from around the teeth and gums.
One way to avoid bad breath is not eating food with a lot of onions or garlic in it because they produce a strong odor. It may be necessary to refrain from spicy foods too as they can be hard on the stomach and lead to heartburn as well as bad breath.
Step 8: Visit a Dentist if Necessary
If you're still struggling with bad breath after trying these steps, it's possible that there is an underlying medical cause. One of the most common causes of bad breath is gum disease, so it's important to visit a dentist if you have any concerning symptoms.
Your entist will check for periodontal (gum) disease and may take x-rays to see if anything else could be causing your chronic bad breath. They'll also give you advice on how to manage your mouth health going forward. If your breath remains bad despite this, it's worth talking to a doctor about what other medical conditions could be triggering it.
7 Natural remedies for bad breath that actually work:
Bad breath can make you feel like you're always being judged, and this makes social situations more difficult than they need to be. Luckily, there are several natural remedies for bad breath that can help you banish the stinky scent and keep you feeling confident throughout the day!
1. Baking Soda:
If you have the time, baking soda is one of the best ways to eradicate bad breath. Just mix a teaspoon of baking soda into a cup of water and gargle until your mouth feels fresh. Then spit it out and rinse with water.
You can also try chewing sugarless gum or sucking on sugar-free hard candies, which will help eliminate bad breath by producing saliva that contains enzymes that break down odor-causing compounds in the mouth.
2. Vinegar:
The most popular home remedy to fix bad breath is drinking water and rinsing with vinegar. It may sound gross, but it actually works! Pour a few teaspoons of white vinegar into a glass or cup of water, swish around and spit out the mixture. The acid in the vinegar will kill the bacteria that causes your bad breath.
3. Chew sugar-free gum:
The bacteria in your mouth feed on sugars, so chewing sugar-free gum is a natural way to stop the process. The gum also stimulates saliva production, which helps neutralize the acids in your mouth. Avoid foods and beverages that have too much sugar, like soda and fruit juice.
Drink lemon water. Lemons contain citric acid, which will help kill off any bad breath causing bacteria on your tongue. Avoid foods that are high in sulfur compounds. Certain foods are high in sulfur compounds that give off an unpleasant smell when they break down. Examples include cauliflower, eggs, garlic and onions.
4. Eat less meat and sugar:
Bad breath may be caused by a variety of things, from the clothes you wear to food you eat. Eating less meat and sugar can help to prevent bad breath because these foods have been shown to increase the levels of bacteria in your mouth.
Eating parsley is another easy way to get rid of bad breath as it freshens up your mouth quickly. Mixing ground coriander seed with milk and applying it to the tongue will help kill off nasty odor-causing germs on the tongue. The popular home remedies for brushing teeth too hard or not enough should now make more sense to you!
5. Gargle with saltwater:
Gargling with saltwater is a great way to kill bacteria in your throat and mouth that cause bad breath. Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, then gargle and spit out the solution. You can do this three times per day as needed. Do not swallow after gargling with saltwater.
6. Use a breath spray or mouthwash after every meal:
One of the most common causes of bad breath is an overgrowth of bacteria in the mouth. This can be a result of poor dental hygiene, not brushing your teeth regularly enough, or neglecting to floss.
Drinking less water and eating certain foods can also cause bad breath. With that being said, it is important to use a breath spray or mouthwash after every meal in order to prevent bad breath from occurring.
7. Brush your tongue:
Brushing your tongue is the most effective way to combat bad breath. There are many methods of doing this, but the easiest way is to use a tongue scraper after brushing your teeth. This will remove any lingering bacteria on your tongue and leave you with fresh breath. It may take some getting used to, but it's worth it!
You can also brush your tongue without using a tool by sticking out just enough of your tongue so that you can brush it with the toothbrush bristles. Keep in mind that if there is blood on your tongue, do not brush it as you could cause irritation or injury.
Conclusion
Bad breath can be caused by a number of factors, but it's important not to let your mouth feel dirty and unpleasant. Brush your teeth and tongue with toothpaste at least twice daily, drink plenty of water throughout the day, and eat fresh produce instead of processed foods.
You can also change your diet habits. Garlic, onions, coffee and alcohol are all well-known culprits of bad breath because they produce sulfur compounds that mix with plaque or saliva in the mouth to create smelly fumes. You'll be on your way to a healthy mouth in no time!