Bad breath, or halitosis, is a common problem. NI Direct reports that one in four people suffers from it regularly, and when you have constant bad breath, your self-confidence may suffer – especially while you're at work. Will your co-workers notice at your next meeting? In an interview, will your bad breath make a poor first impression on your potential new boss? Could your bad breath alter the course of your career? If you’re looking for a bad breath cure, read on to learn how to stop bad breath, what causes bad breath and some natural remedies you can try to eliminate constant bad breath.
1. Pop a Sugar-Free Mint
Sugar-free mints can be used to freshen your breath before important business meetings. They might not work as a bad breath cure, but they will mask the odour and make your breath temporarily minty fresh. Plus, since mints are compact, they’re easy to fit in your pocket.
You can use mints frequently as long as you choose a sugar-free variety. Mints that contain sugar can contribute to tooth decay and other dental problems.
2. Drink Water
Constant bad breath can be caused by a dry mouth, which means that your mouth isn't producing enough saliva. Your saliva washes away food particles that can make your breath smell, and without enough saliva, these particles will stay put and lead to bad breath.
Drinking water before a meeting or interview is a quick fix for this problem. For longer meetings, bring a water bottle with you so that can continue to sip water and keep your bad breath at bay.
3. Chew Sugar-Free Gum
Sugar-free gum is another bad breath cure. Chewing gum stimulates the production of saliva, explains Medical News Today, and this can help to freshen your breath if the odour is caused by dry mouth. The scent of the chewing gum will help to mask underlying odours, especially if you choose strong-smelling flavours like peppermint or cinnamon.
4. Use Breath Spray
Breath sprays are flavoured products that can be sprayed into the mouth to quickly freshen your breath. These sprays come in flavours like cinnamon and peppermint, and they're a good choice for times when you're in too much of a rush to chew gum or drink a glass of water. Always choose a sugar-free breath spray to avoid putting yourself at risk of tooth decay.
5. Use Mouthwash
Mouthwash can help you quickly freshen your breath. This quick fix works by killing the microorganisms inside your mouth that contribute to bad breath. The minty aroma also helps to temporarily cover up any underlying odours, like tobacco.
It's a good idea to keep a travel-sized bottle of mouthwash in your briefcase, handbag or desk drawer to ensure that you're ready for last-minute meetings at work. Simply swish your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash and enjoy fresher breath.
Long-Term Relief
Keep these five tips in mind to maintain your fresh breath all day long. Whether you're shaking hands with a client or chatting with your co-workers around the office, be memorable for your talents and not for your bad breath. However, gums, mints and other quick fixes are just temporary solutions. If you suffer from constant bad breath, make sure to see your dentist to find out what's causing the problem. Your bad breath could be caused by poor oral hygiene, gum disease, dry mouth or other issues that require attention. Once the cause has been identified, your dentist can offer treatments that will get rid of your bad breath for good.
Natural remedies for bad breath
At home, there are a few things you can add to your diet that can help combat the problem of constant bad breath. These natural solutions are easy to get your hands on and most of them are enjoyable to eat or drink!
- Water – this is probably the easiest thing you can use to keep your breath fresh. Continuously sip on the clear stuff throughout the day to wash away any leftover food particles and bacteria.
- Pineapple juice – many people believe that drinking a glass of pineapple juice after eating can treat bad breath. Just be sure to rinse your mouth or brush and floss after as the juice is full of sugars.
- Parsley – chewing on fresh parsley leaves after eating can help to freshen your mouth.
- Yoghurt – the good bacteria in a serving of plain, fat-free yoghurt can help to combat bad bacteria in your gut and, in turn, help to freshen your breath.
- Milk – drinking a glass of milk after eating garlic or onions can combat the smell and work as a bad breath cure.
- Apples – are also good at combatting garlic breath.
- Oranges – oranges are high in vitamin C, which helps to promote saliva production. A good flow of saliva can wash away bad-smelling bacteria.
- Green or mint tea – refrigerate a cup of green or mint tea and sip on the cooled tea throughout the day to temporarily treat bad breath.
Additional tips to help prevent halitosis
Having a good oral hygiene routine that includes brushing your teeth, flossing, tongue scraping and using mouthwash is the best way to stay on top of recurring bad breath. Here are some additional tips you should know that can help:
- Brush your teeth and gums twice a day for 2 minutes using a soft-bristled toothbrush, then floss with dental floss or interdental brushes.
- Use a fluoride toothpaste.
- Gently clean your tongue once a day using a tongue scraper.
- Visit your dentist for regular checkups and hygiene appointments.
- Keep dentures and retainers clean.
- Don’t smoke or use other tobacco products.
- Wait 30 minutes after brushing your teeth before drinking any water.
- Try to avoid sugary foods and drinks.
Professional treatments for bad breath
If home remedies aren’t helping your bad breath, you can always make an appointment with your dentist to try to determine the underlying cause of halitosis. Your dentist may ask you questions about your diet and lifestyle, remove plaque and tartar by doing a thorough scale and polish or treat any areas of tooth decay that need fillings. Bacteria in your mouth can cause halitosis, so often these procedures will solve the problem. Other contributing factors might be gum disease, periodontal disease or dry mouth. Your dentist will be able to determine the root cause and may recommend some antibacterial oral care products you can use to treat bad breath. Halitosis is a problem that can be solved so don’t suffer in silence – try these tips or visit your dentist and put the confidence back into your smile!
