Bad Breath, Be Gone

How to Get Rid of Foul Breath

Having bad breath can be distressing. People with bad breath often have low self-confidence and tend to avoid getting too close to other people. And this can badly affect one's work and relationships. If you suffer from it-worry no more, there are a number of ways to get rid of it.

There are many products that are advertised to get rid of it, however, most of these products only offer temporary fixes. Mouthwashes, mint candies, and mint gums are only able to mask the bad odor. It may disappear for a few hours or minutes, but it will soon come back. Of course, using these products aren't bad, but there are other ways to do away with it for good.

Always clean your mouth thoroughly. It is usually caused by the presence of decaying food particles and bacteria in your mouth, and there are a number of places in your oral cavity where they can hide. Brushing isn't always enough, as some parts of your mouth can't be reached by your toothbrush.

To make sure that your mouth is thoroughly clean, always floss. You should make flossing a part of your daily routine. Cleaning your tongue will also help. Scrape off food particles from the surface of your tongue-you can use your toothbrush, a spoon, or a tongue cleaner. Cleaning the side of your cheeks can also help in keeping bad breath away.

Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. Water makes a great mouthwash-washing all those food particles and bacteria away. Plus, dry mouth can lead to it. Ever noticed how bad your breath is in the morning, upon waking up? Keeping your mouth moist is one way to avoid bad breath.

A low-carb diet can also bring about bad breath. Carbohydrates is essential for the body to create energy, if carbohydrate-sources are low, the body tends to break down fats instead. And the breakdown of fats leads to formation of ketones-and ketones aren't very friendly to your breath. If you think that your diet is what's causing it, you can always get carbohydrates from nutritious sources such as fruits-bananas and apples are great sources of carbohydrates.

If none of these works, it's time to consult your doctor. It can also be caused by certain medical problems such as trimethylaminuria, tonsil stones, and diabetes. And you won't be able to get rid of bad breath unless you get the condition treated.
Copyright 2024 by Dr. Joy Kasparian-Federico, DMD