More commonly known as bad breath, halitosis is an embarrassing hygiene issue that nobody wants, but some of us get every now and then. To find out how to cure bad breath, it's important to understand what causes it in the first place.
The mouth is filled with germs; more often than not a dirty mouth is what causes bad breath. Food often gets trapped between the teeth and along the gum line, which then becomes a breeding ground for germs. When this area is not cleaned, bad breath occurs. Another common cause is eating food that has a strong odour, such as garlic, onions, and even alcohol. These types of food create a bad odour in your mouth, and some of them are absorbed by your body and enter the bloodstream, causing you to breathe the odours through your lungs. Occasionally, bad breath can be a sign of a serious illness, such as diabetes, liver failure or kidney disease.
Learn how to cure bad breath by following these simple tips:
Brush your teeth and floss regularly.
For the best results, brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. This should effectively remove the food and germs trapped between your teeth and gum line.
Clean your tongue.
Brushing and flossing is usually not enough. The tongue is also a breeding ground for germs, dead cells and food debris. Use your toothbrush or tongue cleaner to brush your tongue.
Hydrate often.
A dry mouth happens when there is not enough saliva in the mouth. This usually occurs when you sleep and wake up with "morning breath", but it can happen at any time of day. Saliva is necessary to help clean your mouth and wash away food particles. Drink a lot of water throughout the day to help stimulate saliva production.
Watch what you eat.
It is easy to avoid eating foods that tend to be the main culprits of bad breath, but you should 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.
Visit your dentist.
If you are already practising good oral care habits but still have bad breath, it might be time to see your dentist to check if your breath is being caused by a more serious issue.