Bad breath can be embarrassing, especially if you it catches you by surprise.
Imagine being in the middle of a job interview or an important business meeting and then suddenly getting that icky feeling in your mouth.
According to a recent study, about 50 percent of adults deal with bad breath or halitosis in their lifetime.
There are a couple of different reasons why you could be experiencing bad breath. If you want to avoid this humiliating issue, you have to become more self aware of the things that might be causing it.
Most common causes of bad breath:
1. Dry mouth
Dry mouth, although seemingly harmless, can actually be giving you bad breath. Your mouth requires a healthy amount of saliva to be able to function properly. Saliva also helps with the breaking down of food particles and washing off leftover bacteria in your mouth.
2. Smoking
Smoking has so many bad effects to your oral health. It is not just bad for your lungs, it will also give you bad breath. Additionally, the nicotine stains will be hard to clean off from your teeth. Smokers also have a higher risk of getting tooth decay and gum disease.
3. Bad oral hygiene
If you get lazy and do not practice good oral hygiene, bacteria will grow in mouth. Bacteria will feed on leftover food that’s stuck in between your teeth and inside cavities or carries. If you do not brush and floss regularly, bacteria will thrive inside your mouth’s wet environment.
4. Underlying medical condition
Other underlying medical conditions such as acid reflux, ulcer, diabetes and liver disease can also cause bad breath. If your teeth and gums are healthy but your breath still smells bad, you might want to visit a doctor to do further checks on your overall health.
How do I get rid of bad breath?
1. Brush AND floss.
Regular brushing is not enough to maintain a healthy smile. Flossing is also needed to make sure you reach the nooks and crannies of all your teeth, especially your back molars, which are usually the ones that get neglected.
2. Quit smoking!
Not only will your oral health improve, your whole body will also become much stronger.
3. Don’t forget about your tongue.
This is another area that tends to get neglected because some just focus on cleaning the teeth and gums. The truth is, the tongue is where most of the bad bacteria thrive. Make sure to regularly scrape clean your tongue and cheeks with a tongue scraper.
4. Mouthwash rinsing.
Swishing mouthwash around your mouth after you have properly brushed and floss is the best way to finish your daily mouth cleaning session. These liquid cleaners contain strong elements that help kill the bacteria that are left inside your mouth.
5. Get checked by your dentist.
Cleaning your teeth, gums and mouth may not be enough if you have an advanced case of gum disease or if you have tooth decay. While this may provide temporary relief from that foul smell, you will still have to go to the dentist to treat whatever dental problem that’s causing bad breath.
