How to Cure Bad Breath
Bad breath isn’t sexy, it isn’t the thing you want to wake up to, and it’s definitely not something you want to bring in a business meeting. Bad breath is caused by Volatile Sulphur Compounds (VSC). When the bacteria in your mouth and throat break down proteins, some amino acids when broken down produce sulphur, which in turn causes the smell to originate from inside your mouth.
bad breathThe stomach can also be a cause of bad breath because of the compounds that it produces when digesting certain foods. The smell is then discharged from the lungs, producing that bad breath we’re all familiar with.
Here are the different ways you can cure your bad breath:
Good Dental Hygiene. Bacteria that lurks in your mouth is the number one cause of bad breath, and a poor dental hygiene is going to make things worse. Brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush at least twice a day. Flossing and gargling with mouthwash will also make sure that your mouth is totally clean. Regular tongue-scraping will also help get rid of the bacteria dwelling on the surface of your tongue.
Medication. Taking medication of any kind can have different side effects on your body and your body chemistry. Consult your doctor on the possible ways you can counteract this particular side effect.
Watch What You Eat. Certain food can cause bad breath in people. Garlic, milk, cheese, onions and fish can also cause bad breath. While your saliva is already acidic, up the ante by eating fruits and vegetables to increase the acidity and get rid of the bacteria that causes bad breath. Diet programs can also cause bad breath. One example is the “ketone breath” that is caused by having little to no carbohydrate intake on low-carb diets. Eat a slice of bread a day at least.
Watch What You Drink. Stimulants such as coffee or energy drinks can leave your mouth dry, making it the prime breeding ground for bacteria.
You can prevent your mouth from going dry by drinking lots of water right after drinking stimulants.
Drinking lots of water can also prevent the mucus buildup on your nasal passage, which can also be a breeding ground for bacteria.
Avoid drinking thick, sticky and sugary drinks like milkshakes.
A cup of tea a day will also help get rid of the mucus buildup that mouth bacteria love.
Chew. Chewing sugar-free gum can help stimulate your saliva glands, preventing dryness in your mouth and consequently, bacteria. You can also opt to go natural and chew mint leaves, parsley, fennel seeds or even lavender blooms to make that nasty bad breath go away.
Gargle. Doctors prescribe gargling warm salt water to help ease sore throat, but salt water can also get rid of the bacteria in your mouth. It’s a good alternative to your commercial mouthwash.
See a Dentist. Cavities and any other damages in your teeth like periodontal gum disease can also be a source of bad breath. Visit your dentist as soon as possible to have them repaired and sealed up.
Find an Internal Solution. Bad breath may come from somewhere within. Post-nasal drip and poor digestion are the other likely sources of your halitosis. Post-nasal drip is a condition where your nose overproduces mucus. You can visit a doctor to have that condition treated properly. Poor digestion can be solved by adding yogurt into your diet to aid your digestion.
Quit Smoking. Smoking can cause bad breath, and not just because of the cigarette smell. Smoking causes your mouth to dry up and it also introduces more bacteria in your mouth.
See a Doctor. Chronic bad breath or bad breath that won’t go away using the prescribed methods may actually be a symptom of a more serious problem. Lung and bronchial infections, carcinomas and biochemical disorders and metabolic disorders can all be a cause of your chronic bad breath. Consult a physician
Commercial products like breath fresheners and mouthwash are readily available for you in a jiffy, but keep in mind that getting to the bottom of the problem is the best way for you to get rid of bad breath for good.