The commercial advertisements showcase a young lad who has fresh, minty, and floral breath and thus has the confidence to approach a beautiful girl. Smell is a sense and we often judge people with the help of this sense. Bad breath is a major turn-off and often ends the conversation even before it is started. People move away from the person who has bad breath.
The dentist will smell the breath from the mouth and the nose to rate the odor on a scale. Also, the back of the tongue is scraped to rate the odor. Whatever the selected body part has a bad smell hints towards an underlying problem.
Origins Of Bad Breath: How To Get Rid Of It?
Needless to say, there is no room for bad breath. Here are some ways to eliminate bad breath and regain confidence. At times visiting a professional is required who will present the following two options for curing the bad breath. One of the best tips to prepare for the visit is in the early hours to test the bad breath.
As there will be lower chances of food affecting the breath. Also, do not wear perfumes, lotion, or scented makeup during the visit, as they could affect the odor test. Also, if you are on some antibiotics or have taken it in the last month then inform the specialist about it as it could affect the breath quality.
The dentist will ask some questions before starting any treatment process. Some of the questions are like when did the bad breath start, or any allergies, or do people comment on bad breath? The doctor will also ask about food choices and health conditions, as any factor could cause bad breath.
1. Mouth Rinses And Toothpaste– One of the most common causes of bad breath is bacteria buildup called plaque on the teeth. Visiting an oral health expert is required in this situation. The doctor will recommend a mouth rinse that will kill the bacteria and remove the bad breath. Mostly, an antibacterial toothpaste is recommended as it removes plaque buildup.
2. Treatment Of Dental Disease– In the case of gum diseases, there are strong chances of having bad breath. In this case, visiting a periodontist is highly recommended. Gum disease can cause the gum to pull away from the teeth, and this causes deep pockets where food particles get stuck; the food decays and causes bad breath. Brushing and flossing can help.
However, at times, professional cleaning is mandatory to remove the bacteria. Also, the faulty fillings are a breeding ground for bacteria. The professional will recommend a proper course of treatment to remove bacteria.
Lifestyle And Home Remedies To Eliminate Bad Breath
➡️ Brush Teeth After Eating
people with bad breath cannot miss brushing their teeth after eating food. Even if you are traveling or are at work, do not miss brushing your teeth after eating meals. Using a fluoride toothpaste will come to the rescue. A good quality toothpaste will protect the teeth from any decay and remove bad breath.
➡️ Floss At Least Once A Day
Brushing and flossing are the two basic ways to maintain oral hygiene and get away with any bad breath. Flossing will remove the food particles stuck between the teeth and help control bad breath.
➡️ Do Not Miss The Tongue
the tongue collects bacteria, so cleaning the tongue can help remove bad bacteria. Most times, the tongue is missed, and the white buildup on the tongue causes bad breath. Using a good quality tongue scraper gently remove the white coat from the tongue. Smoking or dry mouth can also cause bacteria buildup on the tongue; thus, avoiding the two situations is required.
➡️ Keep The Mouth Moist
For good health hydration is the key. Similarly, to remove bad breath, keeping the mouth moist is mandatory. Stay away from caffeine and tobacco, plus drink plenty of water to keep the mouth moist. Alcohol also causes the mouth to dry so stop consuming it. Chewing gum or candy, which are sugarless, can help in keeping the mouth moist as they produce saliva. At times the professional could also recommend the use of artificial saliva preparing medicine that increases saliva production and saves from bad breath.
➡️ Change The Toothbrush
A good quality toothbrush also becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. Thus, it is mandatory to replace the toothbrush after three to four months of use. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and clean the tooth very gently. It is also advised to sun dry the toothpaste after use as the wet bristles can cause bacteria growth on the brush. For extra precaution keep two separate toothbrushes for morning and night as a toothbrush requires more than twelve hours to dry out completely.
➡️ Change The Diet
Food products like onion, garlic, radish, fish, red meat, and other strong-odored food can cause bad breath. Alcohol and bacteria also cause bad breath. Thus, avoiding all these food elements is vital for curing bad breath.
➡️ Clean Bridges, Dentures, Retainers, And Mouthguard
It is vital to clean the bridges, dentures, mouth guards, and retainers as food particles often get collected here, causing bacteria build-up. Also, cleaning the mouth guard and retainer before putting them in the mouth is mandatory. Consult a professional before using any product to clean these products.
➡️ Detox The Gut
At times, the cause of bad breath is gut health. If the gut is clogged then it causes bad breath; following a detox program will clean the gut and remove any bad breath or other ailments.
Takeaway
Hygiene is of immense importance. A person who pays adequate attention to hygiene will not suffer from the issue of bad breath. However, despite the efforts, if there is a problem then following the above ways will come to the rescue.
Still, if there is no significant benefit then it is time to consult a specialist. Not to forget bad breath, is there for a reason, and it will cause significant damage in the long run. Brushing twice daily with an antibacterial toothpaste is recommended for all age groups.
References
- Dry mouth. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/dry-mouth. Nov. 9, 2023.
- Floss/interdental cleaners. American Dental Association. https://www.ada.org/resources/research/science-and-research-institute/oral-health-topics/floss. Accessed Nov. 17, 2023.
- Xerostomia (dry mouth). American Dental Association. https://www.ada.org/resources/research/science-and-research-institute/oral-health-topics/xerostomia. Accessed Nov. 17, 2023.
