The state of our oral health says a lot about our hygiene. In fact, one of the most important routines in our everyday life is to brush our teeth. Imagine the build-up of bacteria, tartar and any other food debris plaguing your mouth. This could turn off the person you are talking face-to-face with.
With that in mind, equipping yourself with some effective ways to naturally cure bad breath is a must. Talking is very important to us and as much as possible we want to leave a good impression on anyone with the help of our nice and shiny teeth.
In this blog, we will explore the causes of bad breath and how you can naturally prevent it.
Causes of Bad Breath
Each and every one of us can experience bad breath problem at some point in our lives. According to Colgate Professional, almost half of the total adult population have bad breath.
Commonly, bad breath can be prevented by regular brushing and flossing. However, there are certain occasions where a simple brushing, flossing, or even gargling won’t help.
In this part, we will be running down some of the common causes of bad breath. And believe us when we tell you that it is not just poor hygiene and there is more to it. Here are some of the other factors causing bad breath:
- lack of saliva in the mouth
- type of food a person eats (onions, garlic or tacos)
- the build-up of food debris on dentures
- sinus and throat infections
- Patients on a diet
- Systemic illnesses such as neoplasms, lesions, gastrointestinal disease and diabetes
- various dental conditions
To prevent constant bad breath, make sure to visit your dentist regularly at least 1-2 per month. Moreover, always make it a habit to clean your teeth regularly by brushing, flossing, scraping your tongue and also using oral mouthwash.
Get rid of bad breath with these 4 simple tips
No one wants to have bad breath and appear unhygienic to some people. With that, it is important to make an effort to prevent its occurrence.
Bad breath is an energy sapper, a stealer of self-confidence and a source of embarrassment. You need to do something about it to stop people from making you the subject of gossip when you’re not around. It can be even more embarrassing and frustrating if someone calls you out over it.
Now we don’t want you to brush your teeth just so you won’t worry about what other people think. Instead, we urge you to pay attention to your oral health to avoid developing severe oral conditions that could lead to tooth loss.
Good news for you as there are various home remedies that can prevent bad breath. Here are four easy ways that can help you fight it:
1. Observe proper oral hygiene
Good oral health starts within you. Without being mindful of your oral habits you are bound to develop diseases — which you will regret sooner or later.
Bad breath is often caused by improper oral hygiene. Your mouth is home to plenty of bad bacteria which are one of the main causes of bad breath. Food particles that are left will plaque your mouth which also contributes to the unpleasant smell. This is the reason why you need to clean your mouth thoroughly by brushing your teeth three times a day and flossing them at least once daily. You also need to brush your tongue to get rid of more bacteria buildup to freshen and keep your mouth clean.
Why is Your Oral Hygiene Important to Take Care Of?
Oral hygiene is one of the first things that people are often taught since they are kids. People take care of their oral health not only for a fresher breath but also to avoid the likelihood of experiencing tooth pain and any other oral diseases.
Your oral hygiene is important to take care of for several reasons. Among these includes:
- Poor oral hygiene can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. This can cause pain, infection, and even tooth loss.
- Good oral hygiene can help prevent bad breath. This ensures that you get to keep your shiny and glowing teeth by washing away the odor-causing bacteria.
- Taking care of your teeth and gums can help you avoid other health problems. For example, gum disease has been linked to heart disease and stroke.
- Taking care of your mouth can help you feel good about yourself and improve your overall health.
- Drink plenty of water. Water is also helpful in reducing the bad odor as it helps flush away some of the food debris left in your mouth after meals.
2. Chew gum
Don’t get too worried that it may cause cavities. There are various gums in the market that are promoted as sugar-free. This means that you can enjoy the product without worrying about damaging your teeth.
Chew sugarless gum once in a while to stimulate your salivary glands. You may not believe it, but your saliva is your best bad-breath fighter. Aside from its ability to wash out bacteria, it also contains antiseptic enzymes that kill bacteria.
According to a recent study, sugarless cinnamon-flavored gums are one of the best gums to induce salivation and decrease bad breath-causing bacteria in your mouth.
3. Eat a little bread
This is for dieters who are avoiding carbohydrates in their meals. Having a healthy diet can be great, but it can also be responsible for bad breath. Avoiding carbohydrates can cause “ketone breath,” a type of bad breath common to dieters. It happens when your body begins to use fat for fuel. It also produces ketones which help fuel your brain due to the limited supply of carbohydrates in your body.
If you are on a ketone diet, you can address this problem by chewing gum or by adding a few carbohydrates to your daily diet. Keep in mind that carbs aren’t that bad for you. It actually your main source of energy so you should stop ignoring it.
4. Use an oral irrigator to fully clean your mouth
Toothbrushes don’t have the capability to clean the entire mouth. For this reason, dentists recommend other ways of cleaning your teeth to ensure that every nook and cranny is cleaned. Oral irrigators are also an effective tool to rinse your mouth, in addition to mouthwash and floss.
Oral irrigators are devices that are designed to fully clean your mouth with a water jet. Essentially, it is used as an alternative for people who have sensitive gums, dental implants, or cannot tolerate the use of flossing.
These are the most important steps you need to take to prevent bad breath. If it persists, you should see your dentist to pinpoint the cause of that unpleasant oral smell. If your dentist doesn’t find any cause for your problem, you should see your doctor, for your bad breath might be an indication of a larger health problem.
How often do you brush and floss your teeth?
Got bad breath? The key here is for you to brush and floss as regularly as possible.
For example, you can brush and floss at least twice a day or every after meals. Doing this will ensure that any sticky or sugary meals are neutralized from the enamel of your this. You may find that this helps to keep your teeth clean and healthy, and also helps to prevent bad breath.
You can also try to eat certain types of food to mask bad breath. These includes:
- Green tea
- fruits and vegetables
- Parsley
- Basil
- pickles
- ginger
Also, don’t forget to visit your dentist if bad breath persists. Brushing and flossing can sometimes only do so much to maintain your teeth. Booking an appointment for teeth cleaning guarantees that any cavities are removed to ensure optimal oral health.
Halitosis and Bad breath
Bad breath, also known as halitosis, can be embarrassing and off-putting to others. It is caused by a build-up of bacteria in the mouth and on the tongue. Poor dental hygiene is a major contributing factor to bad breath. Other causes include smoking, eating certain foods (e.g., garlic or onions), gum disease, dry mouth, and sinus or respiratory infections.
There are many ways to combat bad breath, including brushing and flossing regularly, using mouthwash, and scraping your tongue (with a tongue scraper or toothbrush). If you have persistent bad breath, see your dentist to rule out any underlying dental problems.
These are some of the common home remedies for bad breath. Keep in mind that a combination of good oral habits is the best way to fight off the bacteria that cause bad breath.
Freshen your breath every day and stay confident. To learn more about natural remedies for bad breath odor, check out our food blog posts.
