Everyone would agree with me that bad breath is one of the
most embarrassing human plagues on earth. No one likes to hear that ‘You have a
bad breath’ thing, but it’s worse not to know, because it’s always so tough on
the people around you. It even certainly does ruin relationships…lol
Bad breath is usually caused by a buildup of bacteria in
your mouth that causes inflammation and gives off unpleasant odors and gases.
As a result of this, everybody has a nasty breath at some point, most likely
when you get out of the bed in the morning.
Not sure if your breath is bad? A simple way to find out is
putting your hand in front of your face, very close to your nose and then breathe
out heavily into your palm. I’m sure you can tell, provided your nose is
properly functioning and not blocked.
Once you are aware and you realize you have a bad breath,
your problem is half-solved already because it’s easy to fix. Here are some ways to make your breath fresh
and clean:
1. Brush and floss more often. The sticky
buildup on your teeth collects bacteria that cause bad breath. Trapped food
also adds to the problem. Brush your teeth at least two times each day, and
floss at least once. If you're concerned about your breath, do both a little
more often.
Don't overdo things, though. If you brush
too hard you can wear down your teeth, making them vulnerable to decay.
2. Rinse your mouth out. Besides
freshening your breath, a mouthwash adds extra protection by getting rid of
bacteria. A fresh minty taste can make you feel good. But be sure the mouthwash
you choose kills the germs that cause bad breath. Don't just cover up the
smell. Rinse daily with a good mouthwash and stop bad breath at its source.
You can also help your breath if you wash
your mouth with plain water after you eat. It can get rid of food particles
that get stuck in your teeth and hence prevent decay and foul smell.
3. Scrape your tongue. The coating that
normally forms on your tongue can be a host for smelly bacteria. To get rid of
them, gently brush your tongue well with your toothbrush.
4. Avoid foods that sour your breath. What
you eat affects what you exhale. That's because as food is digested, it's
absorbed into your bloodstream and then is expelled by your lungs when
you breathe. Avoid breath busters such as garlic, onions, and some other spicy
foods. Chronic garlic users don’t only have chronic bad breath, they also often
have body odor.
5. Don't drink too much coffee. It
may be tasty, but coffee is a tough smell to get off the back of your tongue.
Consider switching to an herbal or green tea. After all, it is more
healthy.
6. Don't smoke or use other tobacco products. Cigarettes,
pipes, and snuff can foul your breath. Besides causing cancer, smoking can
damage your gums, stain your teeth, and also give you bad breath. Stop the habit today.
7. Cut back on alcohol intake. Alcohol
can lead to a dry mouth. Too much beer, wine, and hard liquor can make
your breath reek for up to 8 to 10 hours after drinking.
8. Chew sugarless gum. Doing so 20
minutes after a meal can help with saliva flow. Gum that's 100%
xylitol-sweetened can help reduce cavities, but it's also kind of cooling and
gives you really nice fresh breath.
9. Be careful with breath mints. Sugar-free
mints are OK for a quick fix but only mask the offensive smell and don't do
anything to remove harmful bad bacteria. However, don’t be tempted to pick up a
sugary mint as you leave your favorite restaurant. The sugar will only sit on
your teeth and make the problem worse.
Do these things
and raise your confidence level with a clean and fresh breath!
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