How To Eliminate Bad Breath

Bad breath, known medically as halitosis, can be both inconvenient and embarrassing. As well as causing low self-esteem, the condition can have a negative impact on your social life and personal relationships. Whether it is caused by a strong-smelling lunch or by poor oral health, there are many things you can do to avoid chronic halitosis, the most important of which are described below.

Stay Hydrated

Dehydration is one of the most common causes of bad breath, so making sure that you drink enough water is one of the simplest things you can do to combat it. When your mouth isn't moist enough to produce saliva, it creates odour-causing bacteria. Ensure that you're drinking about eight glasses of water every day, especially when you wake up and when taking part in heavy exercise.

Enhance Your Oral Hygiene Routine

If you notice that you regularly have bad breath, you may want to take steps to improve your oral hygiene. You should brush and floss at least twice a day, and can even brush slightly more often if you have bad breath. The coating of your tongue can also be home to odour-causing bacteria, so you should also take care to gently brush your tongue every day. You might also try mouthwashes or rinses, but some people feel that they simply mask the odour rather than getting rid of it. 

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

While sometimes halitosis is caused by poor oral hygiene, sometimes there is a deeper cause. Those with chronic bad breath should consult their dentist, as halitosis can also be caused by gum disease or by infections. Visiting your dentist on a regular basis is a good idea, as they can catch the early signs of these problems as well as offering general advice on oral health.

Look at Your Diet

You may already know that foods such as garlic and onions cause bad breath, but it is often the case that sugary foods cause bad breath too. You should eat a diet that stimulates saliva flow, and that includes whole grains, fruit, vegetables and protein. If you need a quick saliva-producing boost, try eating an apple, sucking a sugar-free sweet or chewing sugar-free gum. You might also want to cut down on your coffee consumption, as this can also cause bad breath.

Despite the embarrassment associated with bad breath, there is a lot that you can do to eliminate it, from changing your diet to drinking more water. If you experience chronic bad breath, it's a good idea to talk to your dentist about the root causes of your halitosis, and you will be able to work out a solution together. Contact a dental office like The Happy Tooth Kurri Kurri to learn more.