When you feel the presence of bad breath in your bed, it’s a shameful thing—no matter if it’s coming from your partner’s or your own mouth. And as universal as bad breath is, it’s still a social taboo. The only way to confront the stigma is to talk about the issue, ideally before bad breath affects self-respect or personal relationships.
What causes bad breath?
Most bad breath comes from the food leftovers trapped in your mouth. When these leftovers are left undisturbed for too long, they invite—and begin to breed—different types of bacteria. Once bacteria nest there, they produce odors. Some of the common culprits for food overstaying its visit to your mouth are: bad tooth fillings, periodontal pockets, paradontopathy, and distorted or tightly-spaced teeth.
There is one condition that’s an extra-potent producer of bad breath. The condition is called xerostomia, and reduces saliva secretion, causing dryness in the mouth. Saliva plays an important role as a defense mechanism in your mouth, acting as an anti-bacterial liquid. Plus, it serves to rinse your mouth after eating. Without sufficient saliva, food will extend its stay and invite bacteria in, too. And you’re the one stuck with bad breath.
Research shows that many medications can cause xerostomia, and so it’s important to consult with your dentist in deciding whether you should stop taking a particular medicine.
Let’s talk garlic
Off-putting odor coming from the mouth—technically known as halitosis—is not a health problem per se, but it flags certain processes in our organism that we should pay attention to. We don’t have to be dental specialists to understand that certain foods cause oral odor. However, some go about it differently than you’d think. For example, after eating white garlic, the odor seems to roll off your mouth even while it’s closed. No wonder vampires fear garlic. However, it’s not the lingering odor in your mouth that does it. Your bloodstream actually carries garlic to the lungs, where it emanates from of your body through your expiration. Every breath is loaded with it.
9 Tips To Get Rid Of Bad Breath
1) Make sure you brush your teeth after every meal. Yes—after every meal, no exceptions. It’s the crucial antidote for stuck leftovers. If you don’t have a toothbrush with you, chewing gum will help, but make sure you choose sugar and sorbitol free.
2) Don’t forget washing your tongue, too. Your tongue is actually the destination most visited by bacteria.
3) Floss. Equip yourself with interdental toothpicks or dental floss. These will help you get rid of the food residue not easily reachable when brushing, no matter how fancy your toothbrush is.
4) Regular dentist visits are a must. Your dentist is the soldier who will help you eradicate the military of bacteria trying to make home.
5) Drink plenty of water, especially if you have problems with oral dryness. Bad breath is more prevalent and potent without adequate saliva. Remember, your body is 70% water and 100% ready to fight bad breath if you equip it right.
6) Avoid drinking alcohol or any mouthwashes containing it. Alcohol dries out your mouth; and the same is true of coffee.
7) Quit smoking. Not only do cigarettes instantly create bad breath, but they also affect the mouth flora and your production of plaque.
8) Eat green vegetables. Chlorophyll, especially present in spinach, is a natural breath-fresh machine.
9) Drink green tea (Click here to learn more)
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