Home remedies and methods of preventing bad breath
BY ESTHER QUI
Fresh breath is a sign of a healthy mouth and a healthy mouth is often a good indication of your overall health. These remedies of bad breath or halitosis are habits you can take up in your own home: and they are integral to fighting and preventing the underlying causes of bad breath.
One of the best ways to find out if you have foul breath, aside hospital diagnosis, is to lick the inside of your wrist, wait five seconds and then take whiff (smell the wrist).
Drinking enough water is one of the simplest steps you can take to curb bad breath. When your mouth does not have enough moisture to produce saliva, odour-causing bacteria can develop; likewise side effects of certain medications, medical conditions and disease.
Brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day. Be sure to get a toothbrush with soft bristles, so as not to damage the tooth enamel or gums; and also, use fluoride toothpaste. Brushing and flossing helps to remove any food and plaque which can be used as fuel source by the anaerobic, sulfur-producing bacteria that are at the root of the problem.
Staying hydrated is important, particularly before and after heavy exercise, when rapid breathing can increase dry mouth. Though it is a healthy practice in itself, be sure to drink water when you first wake up. Dry mouth can occur when you are asleep, so hydrating first thing in the morning gives you s jump on a night’s worth of collected bacteria.
It is common knowledge that certain foods like raw onion or garlic cause bad breath. Hence eating healthy is imperative for preventing and remedying bad breath. This is because such foods when ingested and excreted by the lungs, cause halitosis. Nevertheless, avoiding acidic foods like vinegar or high-fructose foods like sugary cereal, cuts down on bad breath.
Another method of remedying and preventing halitosis is by eating fibrous fruits and vegetables. One of the best ways of removing bacteria in the mouth is to eat an apple a day. It helps moisten the mouth too.
Stop smoking. Studies have shown that smokers are at higher risk of developing periodontal disease and dry mouth. Furthermore, people who smoke may also engage in other habits that promote this condition such as dieting, drinking alcohol and suffering from chronic anxiety conditions that require exacerbating prescription medications.
Brushing your teeth occasionally with baking soda can also help. The bacteria that cause bad breath thrive in an acidic oral environment. Hence brushing your teeth with baking soda, helps neutralize excess acids found in the oral cavity.
Ensure to stimulate your saliva flow often. Prevent dry mouth with chewing gum or mints that are sugar free. Look for Xylitol, a non-sucrose sweetener, which in recent years has been shown to have anti-cavity properties.
For people who wear dentures, clean them at least once a day. Practice the same proper oral care with your dentures as you would with your original teeth. Remove them at night and clean, to get rid of bacterial buildup from food and drink.
To round it up, scrape your tongue each morning with a tongue scraper or a spoon, to decrease the bacteria, fungi and dead cells that can cause odour, bad breath.
Do your best to practice these remedies at home so that people would not have to stand miles away from you when you speak. Remember, bad breath or halitosis, is like pregnancy.