They say that the first impression is the last impression!! Frankly, it’s true to some extent too. A lot of factors go into consideration for the first impression when you meet someone. Walking style, speaking style, and dressing sense are some of them. A prominent factor among all is how your breath smells. It’s a no-brainer that everybody hates having a bad breath. The medical term for bad breath is Halitosis. There are a number of reasons which can incite Halitosis. Some of the most common reasons are Bacteria, Tobacco, Dry Mouth, Infection and Stomach Problems. But the good news is that by incorporating a few easy hacks can easily make your breath smell better; let’s have a look at them.
- Brush and Floss: Bacteria can create volatile sulfur compounds or VSCs if you don’t brush your teeth. It is a foul-smelling substance which can cause bad breath. So brush your teeth twice a day. Also floss your teeth daily, this is something ignored by a lot of us, but this shouldn’t be the case. Flossing completes brushing as floss reaches where a toothbrush cannot reach. In addition to these, it is recommended to use a tongue scraper as the bad breath comes from the bacteria at the back of the tongue.
- Drink lots of water: Besides the uncountable benefits that water provides our body with, water also helps to keep Halitosis at bay. It actually lubricates your mouth, which inhibits bacterial growth. Staying hydrated also keeps dehydration at bay, which can cause bad breath.
- Eat green vegetables: The high acidic environment in the mouth and stomach promotes bad breath. Green vegetables promote a basic (alkaline) environment which neutralizes the acids. Foods rich in vitamin C, including broccoli and red bell pepper, makes an inhospitable environment for mouth bacteria, avoiding bad breath.
- Avoid Caffeine and Sugary drinks: Sodas, coffee, packed juices, soft drinks should all be avoided at any cost. Not only do they make you fat, but they also contribute to enamel wear off and bad breath because of the high levels of acids they contain. There’s no doubt that it’s difficult to leave them all at once, but reducing the consumption gradually can work wonders for you. In case you consume them, drinking a glass of water just after consumption can reduce the effect of acids considerably.
- Rinsing your mouth: Brushing is not possible after every meal and is also not exactly recommended by dentists. Rinsing your mouth with good menthol based mouthwash in the morning and with plain water after other meals can provide you with significant improvement to your problem.
- Stop Smoking, chew better substances: One should stop smoking. Period. Even if there’s no bad breath. Smoke particles can sit in the mouth for a long time, even after you are done with smoking, giving you a stale smell. Smoking can also increase the risk of developing gum disease- another cause of bad breath. Chew clove, mint, and parsley instead. These are age old remedies to freshen your breath naturally.
- Eat Natural: What you eat directly affects your dental health too. Fresh and untreated food like raw fruits and vegetables is good for our body and teeth. They naturally keep the teeth clean and unharmed. Avoid consuming processed food as they can cause gum inflammation and damage your teeth.
- Eat a balanced diet: This might sound a bit trivial, but a balanced diet is important to keep that bad breath at bay. A diet consisting of healthy carbs and appropriate amounts of fats and proteins is important. Too much fats in the diet lead to the formation of ketones during the breakdown of fats, which give out a really bad odor.
- Consumption of Probiotics: Although natural remedies are always preferred, taking proper probiotics in consultation with your doctor can help a lot.
- Avoiding certain foods: There are many food items that can create bad breath after reacting with the bacteria in your mouth. So, consider avoiding alcohol, coffee, onions, and garlic etc.
- Visit your dentist regularly: Last but not the least, visit your dentist regularly, at least once every six months for professional advice.
If you have done everything you can and still not getting any relief from bad breath, then visit your dentist immediately.
