One of the most common oral health problems is bad breath. This is definitely an embarrassing condition that can be hard to deal with. However, bad breath is not a death sentence. There are several things that you can do to get rid of halitosis for good.
A study had concluded that a big percentage of adults (around 50%) experience bad breath in their life. There are several reasons or dental health issues that cause bad breath. Below are just some of the most common causes of halitosis:
Smoking
Smoking does not just do damage on your lungs and heart, it can also destroy your teeth. Because of its negative effects, it is not uncommon for smokers to get tooth decay and gum disease, which all lead to bad breath. Nicotine and tar also stain the teeth pretty badly and this can be hard to remove.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Poor oral hygiene will cause bacteria to thrive in your teeth, gums and tongue. If you do not practice regular brushing, or forget to floss in between teeth, you might be leaving food particles in your mouth. Leftover food will create a bad bacteria-filled environment, leading to tooth decay and bad breath.
Other Medical Conditions
Unfortunately for others, good oral hygiene is not enough. Those who suffer from medical conditions such as acid reflux, diabetes, ulcer and liver disease may also experience bad breath. In these kinds of cases, the underlying medical condition needs to be treated first.
While bad breath may seem like a tough issue, it can be easily avoided with preventative care. Here are some tips you can follow to help improve your oral health and get rid of bad breath for good.
What to do?
1. Floss after every meal.
You most probably brush regularly but do you floss too? A lot of people take flossing for granted because it takes a little more time and effort. However, regular brushing is not enough. To make sure your teeth are squeaky clean, make it a habit to floss after each meal.
2. No smoking.
There are so many reasons why you should bad vices like smoking and this is just one of them. Aside from saving your teeth from further damage, your overall health will also greatly improve if you quit those cigarettes.
3. Clean your tongue.
A thoroughly clean mouth includes a clean tongue too. This part is often neglected but the truth is, most of the bad bacteria can be found residing on the tongue. After you have brushed and flossed, make sure to scrape your tongue clean too!
4. Rinse with mouthwash.
A teeth-cleaning session is never complete without a proper rinse. Finish off with an ADA-approved mouthwash to kill the remaining bacteria and get that minty fresh breath.
5. Go to the dentist.
If you have cavities, tooth decay or gum problems, your bad breath will not go away with just regular brushing and flossing. You will need to have these issues fixed first, whether through tooth extraction or cavity filling. After fixing dental problems, there will be a significant improvement with your breath. Your dentist will help you create treatment plan to solve your issues.
