Can you date or kiss someone with bad breath, what could be more humiliating and embarrassing than mouth odour? No one likes to hear it, but it’s worse not to know you have mouth odour.
Is anything worse than seeing people turn their faces away from you when you are talking to them? Bad breath or mouth odour (also known as halitosis or malodor) can be very embarrassing and tough on those around you.
Millions of people suffer from mouth odour without even realizing it because people are afraid to tell them. It is not very often that you have a friend who will be bold enough to tell you that your breathe is exuding an offensive odour.
Chronic bad breath can profoundly affect a person’s self-esteem and daily life, even to the extent that that person may isolate himself for fear of embarrassment. A number of things can cause mouth odour and they include: dental cavities, gum disease, poor oral hygiene, coated tongue (a white or yellow coating on the tongue, usually due to inflammation). These are among the most common. Other causes may include dry mouth, infections such as sore throat or sinusitis, or intestinal disorders, such as heartburn, ulcers, and lactose intolerance. Food and drink, such as garlic, onions, coffee, and alcohol, can temporarily cause bad breath. Smokers also suffer from it.
Whatever the cause, all hope is not lost as there are ways to solve mouth odour problem. It involves correcting the underlying disorder.
Below are solutions to mouth odour.
1. Drink plenty of water: Bacteria’s sworn enemy is oxygen, which is found in your own saliva. Drinking water makes you produce more saliva, which in turn neutralizes bad breath.
2. Scrape your tongue: Each morning, scrape your tongue with a tongue scrapper or spoon to decrease the bacteria, fungi and dead cells that can cause odour. Hold the tip of the tongue with gauze to pull it forward in order to clean the back of the tongue.
3. Rinse with mouthwash: Some mouthwashes do more than leave breath smelling minty; they contain antiseptic agents, such as cetylpyridinium chloride, to reduce plaque and prevent gingivitis, which can also cause bad breath. Studies show that chlorine dioxide is very effective at neutralizing the stinky volatile sulfur compounds created by oral bacteria.
4. Eat vegetables: Fibrous vegetables, such as celery and cucumbers, boost your mouth’s saliva production, which washes away odor-causing bacteria. In fact, holding a slice of cucumber between your tongue and the roof of your mouth for about 90 seconds helps limit odor. Crunchy vegetables help remove plaque on teeth and gums, which bacteria can feed on, says Gregg Lituchy, a cosmetic dentist in New York City.
5. Sugar-free gum: Again, it’s all about saliva. Chewing gum increases the production of saliva and chewing just one piece makes your mouth create up to 10 times more saliva than usual. But not just any pack will do. Sugar-free mints also stimulate saliva production and temporarily mask odor.
6. Practice good oral hygiene: Brush twice a day to remove food debris and plaque and don’t forget to brush your tongue. Replace your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months or after an illness. Use floss to remove food particles and plaque between teeth once a day.
7. Arrange regular dental checkups and cleanings: You should see a dentist regularly, at least twice a year. He or she will conduct an oral exam and professional teeth cleaning and will be able to detect and treat periodontal disease, dry mouth, or other problems that may be the cause of bad mouth odor.
