Alleviating Bad Breath

Chronic bad breath or halitosis can be a cause of discomfort and embarrassment for many people. It is very important to maintain good oral hygiene to ensure minimizing or eliminating bad breath.

Since the main cause of breath odor is the bacteria that thrive on the food present in the mouth, hence there are two ways by which bad breath can be alleviated. One way is to minimize the food available to the bacteria and another way is to minimize the number of bacteria present in the mouth. Brushing and cleaning of mouth thoroughly after every meal ensures that there is no food particle left in the mouth for the bacteria to break down. Toothbrushes should be changed often and the bristles should be chosen accordingly. Proper flossing of teeth takes out small particles of food that gets stuck between the teeth or under the gums. An individual should clean the tongue using a tongue scraper to remove dead cells and bacteria at least once a day.

The types of food that are eaten also are a cause of bad breath. Hence, food with strong odors like garlic and onions should be avoided by individuals with chronic bad breath. After eating food with strong smells the mouth should be immediately cleaned. Use of mints, mouthwash and gums minimizes bad breath.

Since a high protein diet is another cause of bad breath, people with bad breath should focus on a balanced diet and substantial intake of carbohydrates required by the body. To control the bad breath caused by a high protein diet, chewing of sugarless gums, parsley, carrots, mints and mouth fresheners can be useful. Chewing of gums also increases the flow of saliva in the mouth, which is a natural mouthwash. Intake of water should be liberal as water reduces the formation of plaque. Drinking at least eight glasses of water in a day also washes away the food particles that may contribute to a bad breath problem. In case bad breath persists for a long time, it is recommended to consult a dentist as bad breath may be a symptom of some other medical problem.

By Kent Pinkerton

Bad Breath provides detailed information on Bad Breath, Bad Breath Cure, Cause Of Bad Breath, Stop Bad Breath and more. Bad Breath is affiliated with Clear Braces.