It is not easy to know whether you have bad breath or not. Usually, you know you have nasty breath when someone else tells you so. Therefore, if you notice you have halitosis or may have been told by someone else, assess your dental hygiene, visit your dentist, or take measures to keep your breath fresh again.
Most Common Causes of Bad Breath
The most common cause of bad breath is poor dental hygiene. Make sure to brush and floss your teeth regularly. When you do not brush often, food particles in your mouth attract various types of bacteria that emit foul odor. In addition, these bacteria form plaque on your teeth and cause them to rot. When you have rotten teeth, your breath will definitely smell very bad.
Other causes of halitosis include problems with the nasal and oral passages. When you have colds, sinusitis, runny nose, and other conditions that involve the nasal and oral passages, drink lots of water and visit the doctor for treatment. Infections in those regions can cause your breath to smell bad and you will never know it because you cannot smell well during those times.
Treatment and Prevention Measures
There are different treatments depending on the cause of the condition. If you do not brush often, make sure you do. If you want to ensure that your breath smells fresh even after brushing, use products like Scope Mint mouthwash. In addition, floss in between the teeth to remove trapped plaque that toothbrushes usually cannot reach.
If you usually have dry mouth, drink lots of fluids to keep your body hydrated. This allows your mouth to produce more saliva. Saliva keeps the mouth moist and free from food particles. It also acts as a disinfectant. Keep in mind that without enough water in the body, your mouth cannot produce as much saliva as needed.
In cases where halitosis is caused by rotten teeth and mouth-related diseases, visit your dentist or doctor to have them treated. Rotten teeth can be removed and replaced with dentures. Mouth-related diseases like mouth ulcers and gum problems can be cured to prevent them from contributing to bad breath. As long as your mouth stays healthy, you will have better breath.
In addition, always visit your dentist regularly. Have regular dental cleaning every six months. Although you may brush and floss your teeth on a regular basis, there are parts of the teeth that do not get cleaned thoroughly. The dental cleaning process removes plaque trapped in areas that are hard to reach, thus giving you a fresher breath afterwards.
If you smoke, chances are that you may develop halitosis due to the nicotine and tar trapped in your lungs. Smoking is a very nasty habit that dries the mouth, a common cause of bad breath. Therefore, if you can stop smoking, do so. However, if you have trouble quitting, always drink lots of water and brush your teeth at least 3 times a day.
Brushing and flossing may not be enough to stop bad breath. It is also a good practice to gargle with products like Scope Mint mouthwash. This tip can be very helpful, especially if you plan to go on a date with someone.