Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: How to Get Rid of Bad Breath
• Method 2 of 3: Avoiding Bad Breath
• Method 3 of 3: Get tested for chronic halitosis
• Tips
• Warnings

Bad breath, also known as halitosis or bad breath, is a delicate problem that can cause embarrassment and awkwardness. Fortunately, halitosis can be dealt with, and it's not that hard to do. Take steps to take care of your oral cavity and make some lifestyle adjustments, and you can get rid of bad breath forever.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: How to Get Rid of Bad Breath

1. 1 Brush your teeth twice a day. This is the first and most important step in the fight against bad breath. Use a toothbrush and calcium toothpaste every morning and evening. For reliability, you can set a timer for two minutes or turn on a not very long song - often people do not devote enough time to this procedure. If you're really worried about bad breath, it's best to brush your teeth after every meal.
   • Do not press hard on the brush and “scratch” the enamel of your teeth - just take a toothbrush like a pencil and brush your teeth with light circular movements.
   • Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle, just along the gum line.
   • Remember to brush your tongue and hard palate as well.
   • Replace your toothbrush with a new one every 2-3 months.
2. 2 Floss once a day. Floss is still one of the most effective ways to remove food debris and plaque from the interdental spaces. It is in these places that food usually gets stuck and irritates the gingival mucosa, leading to the growth of bacteria that cause bad breath. Make sure each tooth is cleaned from all sides.
   • To do this, place the dental floss in the interdental space, wrapping it slightly around the tooth in the shape of the letter "C".
   • Use floss only to clean the surface of the tooth above the gum line. If your gums start to bleed, rinse your mouth and continue brushing, but be careful from now on.
3. 3 To clean your mouth completely, use an antibacterial mouthwash. Use an antibacterial mouthwash several times a week after brushing and flossing your teeth. Do not use alcohol-based mouthwashes, as they can cause dryness in the oral mucosa and will further worsen the problem of bad breath in the long term.
   • Remember, mouth rinses mask the problem, not solve it. Therefore, in addition to using mouthwash, it is important to regularly brush and floss your teeth.
4. 4 Drink plenty of water. Dehydration is one of the main causes of bad breath, and it is not difficult to eliminate it. To keep your mouth clean and healthy, you need to drink 4-5 glasses of water a day.
5. 5 Chew sugar-free gum. Chewing gum promotes the secretion of saliva, due to which the oral mucosa becomes more moist, which is necessary to maintain an optimal balance of microflora in the oral cavity. However, chewing gum that contains sugar can increase bad breath because sugar is a breeding ground for the bacteria in the mouth that cause bad breath.
   • After a meal, you can chew on a pad of gum - this habit will help you take care of your oral cavity.
6. 6 To temporarily eliminate the unpleasant odor, you can chew a sprig of fresh parsley. Parsley, a leafy herb, contains chlorophyll, which naturally absorbs bad breath. To freshen your breath quickly, simply chew on a sprig or a few parsley leaves.
   • Fresh basil, cardamom, rosemary, and green tea also have similar deodorant properties.
7. 7 Add more zinc to your diet. Zinc is found in some mouth rinses and can effectively fight halitosis and prevent bad breath. In addition, zinc is found in pumpkin seeds and other grains (such as pumpkin or squash seeds), as well as in cocoa and organ meats (liver). Zinc is an essential ingredient in many multivitamin complexes and can be sold as a dietary supplement in pharmacies.
8. 8 Get a routine check-up with your dentist and have a professional cleaning every 6-8 months. During professional cleaning, the doctor will remove accumulated plaque from all surfaces of the teeth, as well as examine the entire oral cavity, which will prevent possible problems with the teeth and gums. Do not forget to regularly undergo a preventive examination with a dentist and, if possible, ask him questions you are interested in about an unpleasant odor.

Method 2 of 3: Avoiding Bad Breath

1. 1 Take probiotics once a day. An imbalance in the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract can lead to bad breath and increased gas production, which can also affect the freshness of breath. Probiotics, which are sold in most supermarkets and pharmacies (in the food supplement section), help restore microflora balance, improve gastrointestinal tract health and restore breath freshness.
2. 2 Eliminate too spicy foods, garlic and onions from your diet. These foods cause bad breath no matter how many times you brush your teeth. The fact is that when such food is digested, substances with a strong odor are formed. These compounds are absorbed into the bloodstream, and the blood later enters the lungs, after which these strong-smelling substances are released outward with our breath.
   • If you can't eliminate these foods from your diet, chew sugar-free gum after a meal, or take a small pack of mouthwash with you and use it after meals.
3. 3 Limit your tobacco consumption. In most cases, persistent bad breath is caused by smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco - these bad habits not only cause plaque, but also harm the gums. Thus, a favorable environment is created for the growth and reproduction of bacteria and, accordingly, the appearance of bad breath.
4. 4 Reduce your consumption of alcoholic beverages. Beer, wine and liquor can cause bad breath for 8-10 hours after drinking. Alcohol dries out the oral mucosa, and the sugar in these drinks creates a breeding ground for bacteria to thrive.
5. 5 Rinse your mouth after every meal. This is especially important when you are unable to use a toothbrush.After eating, put some cool water in your mouth, rinse your mouth and spit it out along with food debris that could otherwise clog between your teeth and lead to bad breath over time.
6. 6 Eat a balanced and healthy diet. Be sure to include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet, as well as whole grains. Foods and drinks that contain a lot of sugar (such as soda and candy) can greatly contribute to bad breath.
   • Low-carb diets (mostly baked goods, pasta, grains, and so on) can also lead to bad breath because the body starts producing so-called ketone bodies - chemical compounds with unpleasant odors.
   • Extreme fasting can lead to bad breath, which will be nearly impossible to mask or eliminate with a toothbrush and toothpaste.

Method 3 of 3: Get tested for chronic halitosis

1. 1 Check for gum and periodontal disease. Periodontitis (gum and bone disease) is diagnosed when there are so-called periodontal pockets in which bacteria multiply. These pockets form due to severe gum recession and bone exposure around the teeth. Periodontitis not only leads to uncontrollable bad breath, it has a detrimental effect on the entire dentition and teeth in particular, because you can lose them in the absence of proper treatment. The following are the symptoms of periodontitis:
   • inflammation and tenderness of the gums;
   • mobility and subsequent loss of teeth;
   • bleeding, pain and discomfort when brushing your teeth.
2. 2 Consult your dentist immediately if you find any cracks or cavities. These places create a favorable environment for the growth of bacteria that cause bad breath. If you are periodically worried about a tooth, if you notice that the sensitivity of the tooth to temperature changes has increased, contact your dentist as soon as possible.
3. 3 Learn about possible gastrointestinal problems that can lead to bad breath. For example, these include acid reflux, which produces foul-smelling chemical compounds that are later released through the breath. See your doctor if you have frequent stomach upset or bad breath even after brushing your teeth and using mouthwash.
   • If bad breath occurs suddenly, it could be a symptom of a more serious problem. Make an appointment with your GP as soon as possible.
4. 4 Check the list of side effects for the drugs you are taking. Unfortunately, some medications can cause bad breath. Typically, a side effect such as "dryness of the oral mucosa" leads to an imbalance of bacteria in the mouth, which in turn leads to an unpleasant odor. If the problem is serious, talk to your doctor about the possibility of replacing the drug with an alternative.
   • Mainly leading to bad breath are drugs for depression, anxiety, allergic reactions, acne, and obesity.
5. 5 Be aware that some chronic illnesses can also lead to bad breath. These include diabetes mellitus, chronic bronchitis, liver disease, and respiratory tract infections. All of these conditions can cause bad breath and need to be treated.Make sure to brush and floss regularly, and carry sugar-free gum with you so that you can mask bad breath if you are having trouble getting rid of it.

Tips

• Brushing your teeth after every meal will help prevent bad breath.
• Replacing your toothbrush regularly is an integral part of proper oral care.

Warnings

• If you have had bad breath for more than a week, and regular brushing and flossing don't fix the problem, see your dentist.
• Do not use alcohol-based mouthwash.