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Get Rid of Bad Breath and Enjoy Fresh Breath

Remedies for Bad Breath Bad breath is highly common. In fact, about half of the adult population has had the condition of halitosis at some point in time.

It’s a condition where your breath smells, which not only makes people less desirable but can also leave a bad impression on others. A major problem with bad breath is that you may not even realize you have it.

There are many causes of bad breath including certain illnesses and eating habits. The right solution to get rid of the problem largely depends on the cause of it.

If you think you have a bad breath, waste no time and check the following tips:

Brush and Floss Regularly

Plaque and odor-causing bacteria in your mouth are due to the food particles caught between your teeth. If you do not brush or floss regularly, the microbes in your mouth will interact with the food particles and develop into stinky substances in your mouth.

To prevent this from happening, you should brush and floss at least twice a day, especially after having meals. This will ensure there are no food particles or bacteria present in your mouth.

This can also be a very good trick if you have bad breath due to the consumption of certain foods, such as onions.

Scrape Your Tongue

Improper or incomplete digestion can cause a thick layer of dead cells, food particles, and microbes to get stuck on your tongue. This layer can make your tongue look white in advanced cases, and it can be another reason for bad breath.

This is why it is important to scrape or brush your tongue on a regular basis. Most toothbrushes can do the job when they come with a rough surface and double as a tongue scraper as well.

However, you may also scrap your tongue with a toothbrush. The key lies in getting rid of the layer of dead cells, also known as the ‘ama’ layer.

Rinse Your Mouth

To protect your mouth from plaque-causing bacteria, you should rinse your mouth with anti-bacterial mouthwashes. Such mouthwashes contain odor killing substances such as zinc that neutralize the malodorous sulfur compounds developed by bacteria in the mouth.

Anti-bacterial mouthwashes not only protect your teeth but also freshen your breath straight away. However, make sure to stay away from mouthwashes that contain alcohol. Alcohol can cause dryness in your mouth and have an adverse effect on your condition.

Keep Your Mouth Moist

Saliva keeps the mouth moist and prevents the bacteria in the mouth from settling down and breeding. However, it’s surprisingly common for people to have an imbalanced secretion of saliva.

This can be caused due to several reasons including seasonal changes. Heat exposure can also dry out your mouth and cause bad breath.

To keep your mouth moist, drink plenty of water and other fluids. This will not only help prevent bad breath but can also hydrate your body and keep other diseases at bay.

Watery fruits and vegetables like cucumbers and oranges can also be effective in reducing the excessive heat in the stomach, which is another cause of bad breath. You can also chew sugarless gum to help encourage saliva secretion in the mouth.

Avoid Consuming Stinky Foods

If you have bad breath then your diet might be to blame. Avoid consuming onions, garlic, tobacco, and alcohol. These foods contain volatile substances that make their way into your lungs through the bloodstream and cause you to have a bad odor.

While bad breath due to the consumption of foods is usually temporary, if you’re in the habit of consuming such foods then you may constantly have bad breath.

Chew Herbs That Freshen Your Breath

Make it a habit to chew small amounts of fresh parsley, spearmint, or cranberries for a minute or so. This will make your mouth smell fresh while also preventing plaque-causing bacteria from sticking in your mouth.

Crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples, celery, and carrots can also help in reducing plaque caused on teeth.

Say No to Smoking

Smoking is not only the leading cause of lung cancer but can also lead to bad breath. The intake of tobacco and smoke makes your breath worse while also damaging your gum tissues and staining your teeth.

Speak to us for tips on how to quit smoking. It can be very difficult especially if you’re a chain smoker.

Moreover, you should not only reduce smoking but all other habits that involve tobacco.

Consult a Dentist

Bad breath may be due to medical complications and issues with the mouth. Visit your family dentist if all the remedies mentioned above don’t work. We’ll examine your mouth to find the cause behind your condition and suggest a solution that may involve consuming certain medicines as well.

Lung and kidney diseases can result in the excretion of toxins in the lungs that might cause unpleasant odors in your mouth. Acidity in the stomach due to spicy foods can also be another reason that needs to be treated to eliminate bad breath.

Bad Breath has Many Causes, and Many Solutions

As you can see, when it comes to bad breath, there are lots of ways it can happen.  The food you eat, the way you care for your teeth, and many other factors contribute to this issue.  However, they also have easy fixes, and with a little care you can make sure to keep bad breath at bay.

Don’t let bad breath prevent you from enjoying your life. Get in touch with SK Family Dental today to start your journey towards fresh breath. Call (253) 770-0198.

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About Dr. Samuel Kwon

Dr. Kwon graduated from the University of Southern California School of Dentistry in 2004. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business from UCLA. Dr. Kwon has been practing dentistry for over 10 years at his practice in Puyallup, WA.

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