Bad breath or medically known as halitosis can be very embarrassing, especially when you’re at social events or with your friends and family.
Bad breath is a common condition that affects many individuals. However, it isn’t something to be proud of. Smelly breath originates from bacteria build up in the mouth and could worsen by your food choices as well as unhealthy lifestyle habits such as smoking and consuming alcohol.
If you’re someone who has been dealing with bad breath, then this is for you! Fret not, as there are numerous ways to prevent bad breath and some of it are:
Brush your teeth after every meal
Brushing your teeth two to three times a day is ideal. However, it would be great if you could brush your teeth after every meal to minimise the growth of bacteria in your mouth.
Floss daily
Another way to get rid of tiny food debris in between your teeth where the toothbrush can’t reach is through flossing. Make it a habit to floss your teeth at the end of each day if you do not want smelly breath, tooth decay and gum diseases to develop over time.
Rinse your mouth with mouthwash
Besides freshening your breath, a mouthwash helps to add extra protection to your teeth by clearing out the bacteria in your mouth. Preferably, choose a mouthwash that will help to kill bacteria and not to just disguise the smell of your breath.
Scrape your tongue
Removing bacteria from the mouth is the key to prevent bad breath or other oral conditions such as gum disease. One way to keep bad
breath at bay is to scrape your tongue after brushing your teeth. If your toothbrush is a little too big to reach the back of your tongue, then you can try using a scraper. Tongue scraper is designed specifically to put a small amount of pressure on the surface of the tongue to remove bacteria without hurting it.
While bad breath can be a warning sign of oral hygiene, it could also be an indication of an underlying medical conditions like renal failure or diabetic ketoacidosis, a condition whereby your body produces high levels of blood acids known as ketones. As ketones build up in your body, it often lead to symptoms such a strong smelling breath that is similar to nail polish remover. So if you’re still having bad breath even after trying out these steps, then it is best to visit a specialist to rule out other medical conditions that may be causing it.
Sources: The Star, WebMD, Healthline
