Bad Breath? Know If You Have It And How To Deal With It.
Bad Breath? Know If You Have It And How To Deal With It.
What’s worse than having bad breath? Not knowing about it. Mouth is a very personal space and talking about it is not very easy. Many times people are as embarrassed to ask as others are afraid to tell them. But it might not be that a big issue. What if there are a few simple tests that you can do by yourself and know about your breath? Let us just leave all the embarrassments behind and take the issue head on.
6 Causes of bad breath Sleeping with your mouth open
Sleeping with the mouth open dries out the mouth; and a dry mouth is a major cause of bad breath. If you sleep with you mouth open, you may have trouble breathing through your nose. So addressing your allergy or nasal issue might be a good start.
Eating bad breath causing foods very often
Foods like onion and garlic cause bad breath because of the sulfur they contain. Foods rich in protein, dairy products, sugars and coffee are the other major culprits because they create an environment for the bad bacteria to grow. You don’t need to be avoid eating these foods. However, if you balance it with fruits, veggies, and alkalinizing foods, you can get rid of bad breath.
Having a coating on your tongue
A white coated tongue is a sure sign of bad breath. If the surface of the tongue isn’t regularly cleaned the food starts getting stuck on the surface and causes bacteria to grow. The white coating is due to the deposition of large colonies of bacteria and food called Plaque. The bacteria release mainly sulfur rich substances that cause bad odor. It is recommended to clean the tongue at least once a day by gently scraping its surface.
Smoking or chewing tobacco
Both of these habits are guaranteed to give you bad breath. Not only because of the odor have they produced by themselves but also because the use of tobacco decreases the flow of saliva resulting in dryness of mouth.
Having acidity or gastric re-flux?
Gastric re-flux is when the contents of the stomach are re-fluxed back towards the food pipe and mouth. This might be a cause of bad breath. Ask your doctor about prescribing a medication to get this condition under control.
Side effects of prescribed medicine
A number of medications can cause dry mouth as a side effect, which in turn can lead to bad breath. In these situations, you can ask your doctor if any alternatives exist to your current medications, prescription or over-the-counter, that might help with the problem.
5 steps to know if you have bad breath
Now that you know the signs, use this simple trick test to check your breath #badbreathawareness (use the hashtag while sharing). Wipe the surface of your mouth with a piece of cotton gauze. If you notice a yellowish stain on the cotton, it’s a likely sign that you have plaque deposits in your mouth leading to elevated sulfide production and bad breath. Now, lick the back of your hand. Let it dry for about 10 seconds, then smell. If you notice an odor, you have a breath disorder. The sulfur salts from your tongue have been transferred to your hand."
4 Home remedies for bad breath
Proper oral care
Brush at least twice a day using the proper brushing strokes. Take care to brush all the surfaces of the teeth. Brushing and flossing helps to remove any food and plaque. This can be used as a fuel source by the anaerobic, sulfur-producing bacteria that are at the root of this problem.
Use oral care products
such as mouthwash and toothpastes
Stimulate salivary flow
by using sugar free chewing gums, mints and lozenges. Xylitol has anti cavity properties as well.
Eat fibrous foods and vegetables
an apple a day keeps the bad breath away as well.
7 ways to prevent bad breath
Preventing bad breath is easier than treating it. Bad breath can be prevented easily by developing a few habits:
Fiber rich foods
Eat more fiberous foods and avoid processed food rich in sugar, such as, cookies and cakes
Alcohol free mouthwash
Mouthwashes having alcohol might worsen the situation
Green and black tea
They contain polyphenols that help eliminate sulfur compounds and reduce oral bacteria.
Clean your mouth
After eating meat, fish or dairy products, consistent and thorough oral hygiene is an effective prevention tool.
Stop smoking
Studies have shown that smokers are at higher risk of developing periodontal disease and dry mouth.
Drink water
Keep your mouth moist by drinking plenty of water.
Clean your dentures
Clean them at least once a day. Practice the same, proper oral care that you would with your original teeth.
Share #badbreathawareness
*Refrences Dental Health Center Everyday Health
