How to Cure Bad Breath: Effective Tips

Your mouth is filled with bacteria, and more often than not, a dirty mouth is what causes bad breath. Food often gets trapped between your teeth and along the gumline, which then becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. When this area is not cleaned, bad breath occurs. Another common cause of bad breath is eating food that has a strong odour, such as garlic, onions and even alcohol. These types of food lead to a bad odour that lingers on the breath. Occasionally, bad breath can also be a sign of a serious illness, such as diabetes or kidney disease.

Here are some of the most common reasons for bad breath or halitosis:

• Eating or drinking something with a strong smell or spices

• Oral health problems like gum disease, tooth decay or and oral infection

• Fasting or dietary choices, like following a high-protein diet 

• Medical conditions like diabetes, acid reflux or chronic dry mouth (xerostomia)

• Smoking or drinking alcohol

If you’re wondering how to cure bad breath, getting on top of your oral hygiene routine is the first step. For the best results, brush your teeth at least twice a day, taking care to reach the surface of each tooth. The best toothpaste for bad breath is a fluoride toothpaste that removes plaque, protects your teeth and leaves a minty-fresh taste in your mouth. Choose a soft-bristled toothbrush that isn’t harsh on your tooth enamel and doesn’t irritate your gums. You also need to floss at least once a day to effectively remove any food particles and bacteria trapped between your teeth and gumline.

Brushing and flossing are great, but don’t forget to clean your tongue! Your tongue is a breeding ground for bacteria, dead cells and food debris. Wondering how to brush your tongue? Use your toothbrush or a tongue cleaner to simply brush or scrape the bacteria film from the back of your tongue to the front. Continue until your tongue appears clean and pink.

You may experience a dry mouth when there’s not enough saliva in your mouth. This usually happens when you sleep and wake up with "morning breath”. But it can occur at any time of the day. Saliva is necessary to keep your mouth clean and helps to wash away food particles. Drink a lot of water throughout the day to help stimulate saliva production and flush bacteria from your mouth.

It’s easy to avoid eating foods that tend to be the main culprits of bad breath, but you must also be wary of your diet. High-protein and low-carbohydrate diets may be good for your health, but they can cause a foul odour in your mouth. Not eating enough carbohydrates will trigger your body to burn fat instead of sugar and, therefore, cause bad breath. Some foods that can actually help to improve your breath are apples, herbs and greens like spinach and kale.

Halitosis may not be preventable if it’s caused by a medical condition; however, often bad breath can be fixed by following a thorough oral hygiene routine. Along with our tips above, here are some additional things you can do to prevent bad breath:

• Rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash twice a day for two weeks. After that, continue to use an alcohol-free fluoride mouthwash for bad breath every day. 

• Keep aligners, retainers and dentures clean. Brush them every day and use denture cleaning tablets for a deeper clean to remove bacteria. 

• Avoid foods that cause your breath to smell, like garlic, onions and spices.

• Chew on sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva production. 

• Avoid smoking, alcohol and tobacco products that can leave your mouth dry. 

• See your dentist every 6 months for a checkup and a professional cleaning by your hygienist.

If bad breath is an ongoing problem and isn’t improving with a good oral care routine, speak to your dentist. You may need to have your teeth professionally cleaned, or have an underlying oral problem that’s causing persistent halitosis.

Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about how to cure bad breath: