Making Bad Breath Better

By Dr.everyone

Everyone gets bad breath. It’s normal. But, some of us suffer a condition called “halitosis” or chronic bad breath. It’s a common problem with many causes and simple solutions. Yet left unchecked, chronic bad breath can affect a person’s social life and personal relationships. Mouthwashes, toothpaste, mints and gum cover the problem temporarily, but if you’re a sufferer (or are married to a sufferer) of halitosis, you probably want to be rid of the problem for good.

The Source

Bad breath is caused by bacteria. The bacteria can be in your gums, on your tongue, it can be caused by digestive problems and by minor internal infections. Bad breath can even be caused by a bad diet. The trick is to define the source of the bacteria and then fix it permanently.

Can You Digest It?

Do you have problems like acid reflux, constipation, gas or tummy upset after you eat? If so, the source of your bad breath could be originating from your stomach. You might not have enough “good bacteria” in your gut and too much bad bacteria. Bacteria is necessary for your digestion, but if you suspect digestion issues might be the source of your bad breath, simply eat probiotic yogurt for a few weeks to even out the bacterial balance in your body. If it works, consider a permanent addition of probiotic cultures to your diet. If it doesn’t work and your digestive problems persist, see a doctor. If you don’t have digestive problems, you can eliminate this worry.

Fixing Breath With Diet

Not only are sugary sweets and treats bad for your waistline and teeth – they’re also a cause of bad breath. Why? Because those “bad-carb” foods break down in your saliva as sugar – and sugary places are the best breeding-ground for bacteria. Even a glass of wine or beer (both break down into sugars) can work against your breath dilemma. Avoid sugar as much as possible.

Have you ever had a co-worker lean over your shoulder after a cup of coffee. Yuck! Coffee with milk and sugar create a great breeding ground for the bacteria just like sugary foods. Caffeine also drys out your mouth and tongue, giving the bacteria the best places to breed.

Obvious bad-breath causing foods, like onions and garlic should be avoided if you are obsessed with your breath. Although they are both believed to have cancer-fighting qualities, the stench can be emitted for up to 24 hours after eating. Also watch your spices, like curry – also good for fighting cancer – but bad for making new friends.

Dieting or skipping meals allows the bacteria to continue to multiply in your dry mouth and on your tongue. The simple fix is drinking lots of water throughout the day to wash away the bad-breath causing bacteria.

There are foods you can eat that help neutralize your bad breath naturally. Chewing on fresh parsley, celery and mint leaves after you eat helps keep your breath fresh.

A proper diet of bright-colored fruits and veggies, mixed with whole grains and proteins will result in the best-smelling breath.

Don’t smoke

Remember your Great Aunt Gertie’s smoker’s breath when she attacked you for her welcome smooch? Well, the fact that you turn your nose up at the memory years later, is testament that smoker’s have the most memorable bad breath.

Smoking dries out the mouth, leaving a perfect breeding environment for the bad-breath-causing bacteria. So if you want to be kissable at the end of a night of socializing, be sure not to “light up” during the night.

Age

As you age, your ability to produce saliva decreases as does the chemistry of your saliva. There is also something called dry mouth disease. Aging issues give the bacteria living in your mouth an advantage. Medications for common age-related ailments, such as high blood pressure, can give a person dry mouth. There’s not much of a choice here – live or have fresh breath. But you might want to ask your doctor if he can change your meds.

Say “Aahhhhh”

Now, we all brush our teeth twice a day, your bad breath may be caused by the environment inside your mouth. Inspect your mouth carefully in front of a brightly lit mirror. Do you see dark spots on your teeth or raw inflamed tissue? Are you massaging your gums as you brush to keep them circulating with blood? Do you see receding gum lines or cavities where plaque can form and decay your teeth? Are you brushing your tongue every time you brush your teeth? It might be your tongue that stinks.

Try to incorporate brushing your tongue into your dental hygiene program. Tongues are great breeding grounds for smell-causing bacteria – especially at the back of the tongue leading down the throat. You can buy a tongue scraper (usually under $10) at your local drug store. Try using it for a week.

If the bad breath persists after diligent teeth/gum cleaning and tongue scraping, you might want to schedule a checkup to see if Dr. Teeth can find any dental issues causing your bad breath. If you see cavities or inflamed gums, you should book a trip to your dentist. Bad breath from gum disease can only be diagnosed and fixed by him.

Yes, you can repair your bad breath with some fairly easy steps. Being diligent in your diet, lifestyle and dental hygiene regime can make a difference – to you and your spouse.

How do you solve your halitosis problem?

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About the Author

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The author is a co-founder of DrEveryone.com, a user-generated health site that helps everyone find what works or does not work in treating health issues and achieving health goals.

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