Bad Breath Go Away: Dealing with Bad Breath

Bad Breath, also known as halitosis, is a common condition that can lead to embarrassing moments and discomfort in social situations. It is caused by bacteria on the tongue, tonsils and other areas of the mouth that break down proteins into volatile sulfur compounds which produce a foul odor. Other factors such as diet, medical conditions (such as dry mouth), smoking, medications and poor oral hygiene may also contribute to bad breath.

I once had bad breath. It was a terrible experience for myself and even the people around me. I was terribly ashamed and afraid of myself and my social circles. On one hand, I wallowed in self-pity because of my condition. On the other, I was afraid that my friends would go away and disappear because they despised my rancid breath (which is understandable since even I don’t like it!) that they smell whenever I talked to with them. Even my closest friends jokingly chided me about my condition. My self-confidence plummeted and eventually, I withdrew into myself. As a result, I became a silent person that did not talk much with anyone. My social circles faded and disappeared because I did not spend time with them much. I fell into rock bottom and was not able to get out.

Until the time that I told myself that I wasn’t the person that I came to be. I figured that I shouldn’t let my condition get the better of me. I would not lose my friends, career, and opportunities over some silly but admittedly embarrassing problem. And thus I decided to take action and it was all worth it. I went to the dentist and once I was able to identify the causes of bad breath, I was taught the solution on how to deal with it.

Brush, Brush, Brush, and Brush

Brushing twice a day is a given and is one of the best ways to prevent bad breath. However, I was brushing my teeth the wrong way. I usually just swiped my toothbrush thrice over the different regions in my mouth and then I was already done. I rinsed and went off to do my stuff. That was a huge part of the problem. It was recommended by the dentist that I brush my teeth thoroughly for at least two minutes. Thorough brushing does not mean intense brushing, rather, gently brushing each region of the mouth and not leaving of any area untouched as much as possible. Note that the tongue and the sides of the gums can trap food that when decomposing, emits foul smell. So I tried focusing on those areas of my mouth in addition to thoroughly brushing my teeth. Tongue scrapers are also available in supermarkets for a more refined tongue cleaning.

Floss after Meals

Flossing helps rid the mouth of food that are otherwise unreachable by a toothbrush when brushing like tight corners and areas between teeth. It also removes plaque – a layer of bacteria that reacts with sugars to produce acids that cause tooth decay. Less trapped food in the mouth, less chances of contracting bad breath.

Use Peroxide or Commercial Mouthwashes

As much as brushing and flossing can do, there may still be leftover debris of food inside the mouth. There are also tons of bacteria residing in the dark corners of every man’s mouth. So nothing beats gargling peroxide or other commercial mouthwashes to ensure a health set of gums and pearly whites.

Quit the Habit

Smoking is one of the primary causes of bad breath. It stains the teeth and leaves gums irritated and sore. This is on top of other more harmful effects smoking can impose to a smoker. So quit the habit and ask for professional advice on how to quit smoking.

Stay Clear From Spicy Food

Spicy food generally contains a lot of garlic and onions. These two can immediately cause bad breath. When garlic and onions are digested, they go into the bloodstream and are transferred to the lungs where they will be excreted. That explains the rancid smell one emits after eating a garlic-y dish or meal. And worse, while mouth fresheners may cover the smell temporarily, the foul odor stays until they are completely excreted from the body.

Eating Yogurt Helps

Yogurt, when consumed, releases good bacteria in the intestinal tract. The good bacteria replace the foul bacteria and help the body release it through excrements. Other vegetables like parsley and celery also have this function.

Chewing Gum

One of the best and easiest ways of dealing with and eventually removing bad breath is by chewing gum frequently. Before and after meals, after snacks, whenever. Chewing gum aids in the increased production of saliva. Saliva washes away not only bacteria but also debris of food stuck in the tight corners of the mouth like the sides of the gums and in between the teeth. Remember that less food rotting in the mouth leads to lesser chances of contracting bad breath. However, look for gum that is sugar-free. Sugars react with the bacteria in the mouth that leads to tooth decay which is another problem.

Regular Dentist Check-ups

Missing dentist appointments on purpose? That can surely lead to oral problems. Try to at least see the dentist every six months so that the dentist can monitor the health of your teeth, tongue, and gums. Cavities can always open up even with the most thorough of tooth brushers.

Remember to always consult with the dentist at the first signs of bad breath or even minor cases like tooth cavities and the likes. Even better, consult with the dentist even when you have healthy teeth. Prevention is always better than the cure so preventing bad breath is better than treating it. Always follow proper oral hygiene unless you want to experience a problem like I did.

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At-home methods to test for bad breath

Bad breath, or halitosis, is a common problem that affects a large number of people worldwide. While it is not a medical emergency, it can significantly affect an individual’s self-esteem, social life, and personal relationships. Fortunately, there are many methods that one can use to test for bad breath at home.

One of the simplest methods is the “lick and sniff” test. To perform this test, lick the inside of your wrist and allow it to dry for a few seconds. Once it has dried, smell the area. If you notice an unpleasant odor, it may be an indication of bad breath. This test works because the bacteria responsible for bad breath release volatile sulfur compounds that cause the odor.

Another method involves flossing between your teeth and then smelling the floss. If it smells bad, it could be an indication of bad breath. The reason for this is that food particles trapped between your teeth can decay over time, releasing an unpleasant odor.

Another easy way to test for bad breath at home is the “spoon test.” Simply use your tongue to scrape the back of your tongue, and then smell the spoon. If you notice an unpleasant odor, it could mean that you have bad breath. This test is effective because the back of the tongue is a common area for bacteria to accumulate, and this can lead to bad breath.

In conclusion, bad breath is a common problem, but testing for it at home is easy and straightforward. The “lick and sniff,” “floss and smell,” and “spoon test” are all effective ways to test for bad breath without leaving your house. If you notice that you have bad breath, there are many ways to treat it, including maintaining good oral hygiene, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding foods that can cause bad breath.

At-home methods to test for bad breath

Bad breath, or halitosis, is a common problem that affects a large number of people worldwide. While it is not a medical emergency, it can significantly affect an individual’s self-esteem, social life, and personal relationships. Fortunately, there are many methods that one can use to test for bad breath at home.

One of the simplest methods is the “lick and sniff” test. To perform this test, lick the inside of your wrist and allow it to dry for a few seconds. Once it has dried, smell the area. If you notice an unpleasant odor, it may be an indication of bad breath. This test works because the bacteria responsible for bad breath release volatile sulfur compounds that cause the odor.

Another method involves flossing between your teeth and then smelling the floss. If it smells bad, it could be an indication of bad breath. The reason for this is that food particles trapped between your teeth can decay over time, releasing an unpleasant odor.

Another easy way to test for bad breath at home is the “spoon test.” Simply use your tongue to scrape the back of your tongue, and then smell the spoon. If you notice an unpleasant odor, it could mean that you have bad breath. This test is effective because the back of the tongue is a common area for bacteria to accumulate, and this can lead to bad breath.

In conclusion, bad breath is a common problem, but testing for it at home is easy and straightforward. The “lick and sniff,” “floss and smell,” and “spoon test” are all effective ways to test for bad breath without leaving your house. If you notice that you have bad breath, there are many ways to treat it, including maintaining good oral hygiene, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding foods that can cause bad breath.