Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Bad Breath-Good Advice


If you've ever suffered from bad breath, you know how problematic it can be. There really are few things worse than dealing with bad breath. Not only is this unpleasant to have a bad taste in your mouth, it can make talking to other people and having a normal conversation difficult. Whether the cause is from your diet or morning breath, there are ways to get rid of bad breath and keep your mouth feeling fresh.
What Causes Bad Breath? 

Bad breath doesn't have one main reason, but can be caused by several lifestyle factors. One of the most common causes is eating foods that cause bad breath such as onions or garlic. While these foods are great for your health, they have a strong odor and eating even a small amount can cause bad breath for the rest of the day. 

Another common cause of bad breath is not eating enough. Although we usually think of food as causing bad breath, you can produce it yourself as well. When you have gone for a few hours without eating anything, your mouth will start to produce more saliva, which can have a naturally bad smell. 


How to Prevent Bad Breath

The good news is, preventing bad breath is pretty easy. By using these tips and suggestions throughout the day, you can help to keep your breath as fresh as possible.  

Eat every four hours: You don't have to eat a huge meal, but even a small snack can be a great way to prevent bad breath. Your breath will get worse the longer you go without eating. Eating more frequently encourages the production of fresh saliva, improving your breath naturally. 

Use mouthwash or mouth spray sparingly: Mouthwash is one of the best inventions for bad breath, but you can actually overdo it. Many brands of mouthwash have alcohol which actually dries out your mouth and can make your breath worse. If you use mouthwash, do so sparingly. 

Drink water constantly: Water is a great cure-all for a variety of conditions, especially for bad breath. Water keeps your mouth from drying out and helps to keep you hydrated as well. Carry a water bottle with you throughout the day and drink periodically to help freshen your breath.

Wash your mouth with water: Mouthwash is a great idea, but washing your mouth out with water works well also. If you rinse your mouth with water after meals, you'll get rid of excess food particles and bacteria which can contribute to bad breath.

Brush your tongue in the morning: In the morning your mouth is generally the dirtiest, especially your tongue. While you probably brush your teeth in the morning, you may be missing your tongue entirely. Brush it gently to remove the bacteria-covered film that builds up overnight.

These tips can help to improve the health of your mouth and significantly decrease any bad breath issues. If you put these suggestions to use every day, you'll soon start to notice fresher breath and chances are your friends and colleagues will also.