10 Simple Tips to Prevent Bad Breath

Halitosis means foul or offensive-smelling breath. It comes from inside your mouth and is usually caused by not having proper dental hygiene such as brushing your teeth and flossing on a daily basis. The food that you consume sticks between your teeth, on your gums and tongue. So without proper dental care this will cause the food that sits in your mouth to rot and decay and in turn causes a foul smelling odor in your mouth. The food that sits in your mouth and in between your teeth causes bacteria to grow which can then lead to more serious complications such as gingivitis or gum disease. Gingivitis is also a cause of bad breath.

Certain foods and drinks as well as smoking and tobacco products can also cause bad breath. The more common types of foods that cause halitosis or bad breath are onions, garlic, soda, cheese and processed meats. After consuming these foods it is important to properly maintain good care of your teeth by accurately brushing and flossing on a daily basis.

The prevention of bad breath can be done in 10 easy steps:

1. Brush your teeth twice daily, preferably with a fluoride toothpaste
2. Floss your teeth at least once daily to remove any food particles left behind
3. Clean and replace your toothbrush regularly
4. Consume more fruits and vegetables daily
5. Avoid certain foods or beverages that can cause bad breath such as garlic and soda
6. Avoid all types of tobacco products
7. Drink more water on a daily basis
8. Use a mouthwash after brushing making sure that you swish it around at least 30 seconds before spitting it out
9. Remove dentures at night brushing and soaking them in a disinfecting solution, removable braces should also be cleaned out
10. Follow up with your dentist every six months to achieve optimal dental health and care

There are other causes of bad breath such as diabetes, intestinal diseases, liver disorders, infections and poor diet so if after doing all these steps you find that you still have bad breath follow up with your physician to find out if there is another source to your halitosis or bad breath.

Resources:

http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/articles/169.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halitosis