How to avoid bad breath
Bad breath can happen to anyone, and does not necessarily come from poor oral hygiene, medication or disease. It can however be unpleasant and maybe embarrassing to suffer from it. We will give you some pointers on how you can avoid bad breath!
Many seem to believe that bad breath come from the guts, but that is actually a rare cause. Almost always, the smell is coming from within the mouth. Saliva contains bacteria that releases malodorous sulfur gases in the process of breaking down proteins from foods. These sulfur compounds create the characteristic odor associated with bad breath.
Most people brush their teeth in the morning and at night. But after a long day at the office, with its coffee breaks and lunch hour, food residue and coatings accumulate on the tounge. Here are a few tips on how to maintain a fresh breath throughout the day:
Most people brush their teeth in the morning and at night. But after a long day at the office, with its coffee breaks and lunch hour, food residue and coatings accumulate on the tounge. Here are a few tips on how to maintain a fresh breath throughout the day:
Drink a lot of water, preferably non-carbonated
As a rule, you should drink 6-8 glasses of water every day. Rinsing your mouth with water and gurgling can also help. A dry mouth makes a paradise for smelly bacteria.
Eat parsley
Parsley is rich in chlorophyll, which has antibacterial properties, and can serve as an oral deodorant.
Eat oranges
The citric acid stimulates the salivary glands, which increases the flow of fresh saliva. Chewing in general will also increase salivary production, and that in turn helps remove the smelly bacteria on the tounge and on the teeth.
Chew sugar-free chewing gum between meals
Eating and chewing simulates saliva flow, and the gum itself helps limiting the growth of bacteria on the teeth.
Brush your teeth and use mouthwash
Mouthwash helps dissolving dirt and coatings, making it more easily removed with the toothbrush.
Floss regularly
Food residue can easily get stuck in gum pockets and in between teeth, which eventually start to smell. By flossing, you remove the residue and also prevent plaque which can also contribute to bad breath.
Use a tounge cleaner
Bacterial coatings originating from foods and beverages constantly form on the tounge. By using a tounge cleaner daily, you remove these coatings and the smelly odors they give off.
In addition to the above pointers, we also want to mention some typical contributors to bad breath:
- Strong cheese
- Meat
- Broccoli
- Onions
- Eggs
- Spicy food
- Garlic
- Tobacco
- Coffee
Please remember that bad breath can be prevented with fairly simple means, and it should not stop you from feeling fresh and healthy. If the above tips don’t help, or if you have struggled with bad breath for a long time, then we recommend you consult your dentist.
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