Bad Breath Remedies and Prevention

Bad breath can be quite an embarrassing problem. At one point of our lives, we have suffered from halitosis. Bad breath is caused by the breaking down of proteins because of accumulation of bacteria in the mouth. It is not contagious. You cannot catch this from someone just by drinking from the same glass.

It also does not come from the stomach, as there are some misconceptions to that. There is an odor that comes from the stomach and this is a burp, not bad breath.  There are also types of food which whenever absorbed by the body, various unpleasant odors comes out. These are spicy foods and garlic. These must not be confused with halitosis. This is why most people with bad breath have no idea that they already have it.

5 Easy Steps to Check if You Have Bad Breath

1. Lick the back of your hand. Wait a few seconds for it to dry. Then smell. If there is an odor, then you have bad breath.

2. When flossing, place the dental floss between your teeth. Smell the floss. If there is an odor, you have halitosis.

3. Grab the tip of your tongue with Kleenex while looking at a mirror. Pull the Kleenex as far as you can. If you see that the back is whitish in color, then it is a sign that you have halitosis.

4. Think of someone you trust and ask him or her if you have bad breath. You can also check your breath several times in a day. Remember that the breath changes every hour of every day.

5. You can use a Halimeter to measure the concentration of sulfur compounds in your mouth. The volatile sulfur compounds or VSC are what causes bad breath.

How to Prevent Bad Breath

Prevention is better than cure. By practicing oral hygiene with brushing, flossing, and cleaning, one lessens the chances of halitosis. Oral hygiene prevents the bacteria build up that forms on the tongue, gums and teeth.

Being cautious of food intake can also be another prevention measure for bad breath. An unhealthy lifestyle is a common cause of halitosis. All the food that is eaten is broken down in the mouth.

In the process of digestion, the food is absorbed and is then transported through the bloodstream and is eventually carried to the lungs. If the food has a strong odor (like onions and garlic), brushing, flossing, and gargling with mouthwash will only cover the bad odor temporarily. It will not completely go away until the food passes through the entire body.

Poor habits are causes for bad breath as well. If you do not brush and floss every day, food particles remain in the mouth. This will only result to bacteria growing between your teeth, on the tongue and around the gums.

Dentures that are not properly cleaned are known to be a cause of halitosis too. Bacteria build up from dentures seep through the teeth and when mixed with food particles that are not completely cleaned can affect a person’s breath.

A common cause for bad breath is smoking and tobacco. Not only do these make the breath foul smelling, it also stains the teeth. Worse, it reduces the person’s ability to taste foods and also irritates his gums.

It is not too late to cure bad breath. There are ways to treat bad breath and it won’t cost you lots of money.

1. Practice good hygiene. Brush twice a day and use fluoride toothpaste in order to remove the plaque and the debris. Brush your teeth after every meal. If you are at work or school, bring a toothbrush so you can brush after your meal. Brush your tongue as well. Toothbrushes must be replaced after three months. It is not enough to just brush. Floss because it removes food particles and plaque in between. Dentures must be cleaned thoroughly. Retainers should be scrubbed too.

2. See your dentist regularly. Twice a year is highly suggested. He conducts oral examinations and professional teeth cleaning. He can easily detect if you need treatment for bad breath due to periodontal disease. He can also check if your mouth is too dry and is prone to have halitosis.

3. Stop smoking and chewing tobacco. It is a bad habit so you might as well stop it. Ask your dentist for tips on how to kick the habit.

4. Drink lots of water in order to keep your mouth moist. Chewing sugarless gum and sucking on candies stimulates the saliva production in your mouth which also helps wash away the food particles and bacteria.

5. When you bite it, write it. Keep a record of the food that you eat. If you have a feeling that the food you eat is the cause of bad breath, then you can ask your dentist to check this logbook. Include the medication that you are taking as well because it can also affect the buildup of mouth odors.

If halitosis is a recurring problem, then this might already be a sign that there is a buildup of plaque on your teeth. Worse, the bacteria can irritate the gums if not remedied immediately. This might also result to damages on the gums and jawbone.

You can treat bad breath. Just practice oral hygiene so that you can make your mouth healthy. If you have done everything you could and the odor is still there, then consult with a dentist or a doctor to determine the odor source and come up with a treatment plan especially for you.