To eliminate bad breath for good, you may need to make some lifestyle changes. From following an oral care routine to avoiding certain foods, there are so many things you can do to have fresh breath. The question now is- are you willing to make the needed changes to address your bad breath situation permanently?
This article unveils some of the common causes of bad breath and some effective ways to permanently address bad breath.
To Eliminate Bad Breath You Have to know What’s Causing it
The first step to getting rid of bad breath is identifying its root cause.
While bad breath can be caused by everything from diabetes-related complications to acid reflux, 90 percent of the time, the problem originates from our mouth. Below are some of the common causes of bad breath.
Poor Dental Hygiene
The bacteria in your mouth will increase rapidly if you don’t brush and floss daily. This increase will lead to the buildup of plaque. Plaque has an unpleasant odor that can cause bad breath.
Certain foods
The foods that make up your diet or the ingredients you use to prepare your food can have a huge impact on your breath. For example, if you consume foods that are loaded with raw onion, canned tuna, horseradish, or raw garlic, you may have bad breath afterward.
Oral infection
Oral conditions like tooth decay, gum disease, and mouth sores can cause bad breath.
Certain medication
The medication you are on could be the cause of your bad breath. Health experts have pointed out that drugs like antihistamines, which are used to address allergies have side effects that can cause bad breath.
Tobacco
A recent study found that individuals who use tobacco are more likely to develop halitosis (bad breath). Chewing tobacco and smoking can also cause oral conditions like gum disease, which is linked to bad breath.
Best tips to Eliminate bad breath
Below are a few simple but effective things you can do to improve your breath.
Strictly follow an oral care routine
Poor dental hygiene is the leading cause of bad breath. As mentioned above, plaque buildup can cause bad breath and some oral health conditions. Brushing your teeth twice daily with a bamboo toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste can go a long way in improving your breath. It is also important that your floss daily to remove food remains that are stuck between your teeth.
To get rid of the bad-breath-causing bacteria on your tongue, you will need to get a tongue scraper. A tongue scraper can clean your tongue a lot better than a toothbrush.
Pineapple juice
Drinking pineapple juice is by far one of the quickest ways to improve your breath. Chewing a few pineapple slices after eating can also have the same effect. Be sure to rinse your mouth afterward.
Yogurt
Yogurt has healthy bacteria (Lactobacillus) that can improve your gut health. Even more, it can help address bad breath. You may have to incorporate it into your diet to experience this result. As can be seen in this study, one may have to eat yogurt for six weeks or more to experience a reduction in bad breath. Aim to eat one of two servings of non-fat yogurt daily.
Parsley
Parsley is rich in chlorophyll and can neutralize sulfur compounds, which usually have a foul smell. Here is how to use parsley to address bad breath.
- Chew on some fresh parsley after each meal. If you can get your hands on fresh parsley leaves, you should opt for a parsley supplement.
Drink More Water to Eliminate Bad Breath
According to this research, mouth dryness can cause bad breath.
Saliva helps clean the mouth clean. If for some reason your body doesn’t produce enough of it, the bacterial activity in your mouth will increase. This, thus, will lead to bad breath. Increasing your water intake is a great way to prevent mouth dryness. Try to drink six to eight glasses of water daily. Note that sugary drinks aren’t a substitute for water.
Final note
Bad breath can kill your confidence and make you prone to some oral conditions. Following the tips discussed in this article can help address it permanently. If you don’t see any significant results after following the above tips, you should contact your doctor.