Five Things That Will Keep Bad Breath at Bay

If you have ever watched someone cup their hand over their mouth and nose to see if they have bad breath, you may have noticed their reaction, especially if they realize that they do have malodorous emanations coming from their mouth. Once you witness that, if you look around you, other may also decide it is a good time to check the condition of their own breath.

Those who are aware of the five things that will keep bad breath at bay usually do not bother to check their breath. They are confident they do not have it and will not offend those with whom they are talking. Bad breath is typically caused by the growth of bacteria in the mouth and there are certain actions you can take to reduce or eliminate their growth and thereby reduce the possibility of having bad breath.

The first thing you can do is practice good oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth after every meal with quality toothpaste can eliminate many of the bacteria that cause bad breath. Brushing also, helps remove food particles that may be stuck between the teeth providing not only an odor of their own, but also food for the bacteria allowing them to grow and reproduce. While most people brush for les than one minute, it takes two to three minutes of brushing to properly clean the teeth.

Regular flossing removes foods between the teeth the brushing was unable to get out. This removes additional odor-causing food that may be stuck between the teeth. Brushing without flossing would be like bathing only 80 percent of your body. The other 20 percent is not clean.

The second method to avoid bad breath is scraping your tongue. Bacteria grow rampant on your tongue, especially near the back, and scraping the bacteria off every time you brush your teeth effectively removes it. Use a spoon turned up side down to remove the bacteria. As unusual as it may sound, many of the bacteria can live without oxygen and survive under the mucous that builds up on the back of the tongue. Scraping the mucous off removes most of the bacteria and exposes the others to oxygen, causing them to die.

A third method to control bad breath is to drink plenty of water since dry mouth is another common cause of bad breath. Prescription medications, such as antihistamines and decongestants can cause dry mouth as well as excessive talking, exercise and dieting. Using alcohol-based mouthwashes or drinking alcohol and smoking also causes dry mouth and drinking plenty of water can stimulate the saliva glands and help prevent dry mouth. The use of chlorine dioxide-based mouthwashes can help in that alcohol-based mouthwashes can also cause dry mouth.

Number four, involves looking for signs of gum disease. Red or swollen gums, loose teeth or a sensitivity to hot or cold can be a sign of gum disease. Tender gums or bleeding, especially caused by brushing, are also signs of gum disease, which can cause bad breath.

The fifth method to prevent bad breath is to see your dentist at least once a year for a complete dental physical.