Have you experienced any of the following?
- Your chronic bad breath is interfering with your social or professional success.
- You frequently have a bad taste in your mouth.
- People step back from you when you are talking to them, or they avoid direct contact with you.
- Somebody has commented on your bad breath, or offered you mints or chewing gum.
- You experience a white or yellow film on your tongue.
If your answer is yes to any of the above, there is a good chance you have a chronic bad breath problem and you may need to seek a way to cure your halitosis.
Bad breath carries a real social stigma. If you treat chronic bad breath, it will make a tremendous difference in your life. Whether your bad breath troubles are chronic or the occasional morning-after-garlic-dish variety, you can clear the air by applying few habits in your lifestyle.
Do you know you’re slightly pungent after a hard Spinning class or garlicky dinner? A bit of self-help—including a dedicated regimen of tooth and tongue brushing—will usually help cut back the bad odor.
The most common causes of bad breath are:
- Periodontal diseases
- Odour-causing bacteria on the tongue
- Certain foods and alcoholic beverages
- Tobacco use
Less common causes:
- Infections in the sinuses or lungs
- Cancer of the nasal passages, mouth, or throat
- Foreign object in the nose (typically in children)
- Imagined halitosis (psychogenic halitosis)
- Dieting can contribute to bad breath, as can postnasal drip.
In more serious cases, sour breath may be a symptom of health problems—including respiratory infection, gastroesophageal reflux, uncontrolled diabetes, and kidney failure—that require medical attention.
Prevention and Treatment
There are certain food items that can prevent bad breath and keep your jaws and teeth healthy.
- Drink more water: Many of us aren’t aware of the fact that drinking enough and at regular intervals can actually prevent one from bad breath. Drinking water at an interval of every hour throughout the day will keep your mouth hydrated, and keeping bacteria at bay.
- Cheese and yogurt: A small piece of cheese can neutralize the dietary acids that are stuck in your mouth after every meal which are responsible for bad breath. So once you are done with a meal, eat a small piece of cheese. A small serving of unsweetened yogurt can also help.
- Raw foods: Apart from dietary reasons and keeping oneself healthy, raw foods can also help in fighting bad breath. Eat raw carrots, celery and apples. Crunchy fruits and vegetables, which are preferably organic, are beneficial in fighting against bad breath. Eating raw and crunchy veggies and fruits can help to scrape out the plaque which are often the reasons for frequent bad breath.4. Salt water gargle: Another easy solution is salt water gargle. Not only does salt water gargle helps in keeping your sore throat at bay, it also helps in eliminating bacteria from your throat and tonsils.5. Sugarless candies and gum: Sugarless candies, gums or even mints are great sources of increasing the saliva flow in the mouth. One can even use the traditional cinnamon, clove or cardamom.
If you’ve already noticed that you have a bit of a bad breath problem, consider these four things to treat it.
Take care Of Your Teeth
Your first and easiest line of defence is good oral care. Brush twice a day and floss at least once daily to remove the plaque and bacteria that accumulates on your teeth and under your gumline. And be sure to visit your dentist twice a year for a check-up and professional cleaning.
Clean Your Tongue and skin under your cheeks & lips gently
Most people neglect this crucial area when brushing. Take a regular soft bristle toothbrush and make a few gentle strokes down the tongue from back to front once a day.
Change your diet
A low-carb, high protein diet may be the cause of that killer bad breath. Consider eating less protein and more fruits and vegetables.
Take a Tea Break
The research out of the University of Illinois at Chicago shows that polyphenols, chemical components found in black and green tea, can prevent the growth of the bacteria responsible for bad breath. So try a cup of Lemon Zinger and zap out those funky fumes!
Bad breathe doesn’t have to negatively affect your life. With the above tips, you’re sure to get your breathe sweet-smelling and inoffensive again. If you have questions or concerns about your health causing the problems, be sure to contact your local Carrollton dentist or physician. We’d be happy to help!
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