Bad breath could be as a result of things we consume, tooth decay or even a sign of other health problems. A few people were born with it as a result of inheriting a mutation that causes it. A few people know they have bad breath and some do not even know at all until maybe they are being told. Bad breath also has a way of affecting self-esteem and anyone who has it will always think less of themselves as they will not want to speak in public because of their breath. Well, I brought good news; I brought you ways you can deal with it, but before delving into that, I think it’s important we look at things that could result into having bad breath.

Bad breath, medically known as Halitosis, is caused by odour-producing bacteria that grow in the mouth. As said earlier, a major cause can be associated with the things we consume. Basically, all the food eaten begins to be broken down in your mouth.  If you eat foods with strong odours (such as garlic or onions), brushing and even mouthwash merely covers up the odour temporarily.

The odour will not go away completely until the foods have passed through your body. Smoking or chewing tobacco-based products also can cause bad breath, stain teeth, reduce your ability to taste foods, and irritate your gums. Now, when you don’t brush and floss regularly, bacteria accumulate on the bits of food left in your mouth and between your teeth. The sulfur compounds released by these bacteria is what results into having bad breath. How then do we deal with it? There are natural remedies and there’s also the part of seeing the dentist. We will be looking at the natural remedies today.

Did you know that by just drinking water regularly, you’re fighting having a bad breath? Seems unbelievable right? I’ll tell you why. A research-trusted source shows that mouth dryness often causes bad breath as saliva plays a very important role in keeping our mouth clean. Without it, bacteria thrive. Knowing this, it means we need to always keep the body hydrated. Drinking water (not caffeinated or sugary drinks) throughout the day will help encourage saliva production. Aim for at least eight glasses of water per day. Medical experts have told us to always drink a glass of water every morning when we wake up before we even speak to anyone. Why? It’s because your mouth naturally dries out while you sleep, which is why bad breath is typically worse in the morning.

Did you also know that eating fruits and vegetables help fight bad breath? Now, you do. The importance of eating healthy cannot be overemphasized as it helps in maintaining a very healthy system. A crunchy fruit snack, such as an apple, celery, or carrot act as natural toothbrushes and help to remove the odour-causing bacteria stuck on your teeth. Also, they stimulate saliva production, which also helps fight bad breath.

Brushing regularly fights bad breath. People say a lot of times that as long as you brush your teeth, you shouldn’t have bad breath. The truth is that most people only brush their teeth for 30 to 45 seconds, which just doesn’t cut it. To sufficiently clean all the surfaces of your teeth, you should brush for at least 2 minutes at least twice a day with a fluoride-based toothpaste. Remember to brush your tongue, bacteria love to hang out there. Late last year, amidst the pandemic, I came across a tweet that said that we were not meant to rinse our mouth with water after brushing. I was like this person doesn’t know what he is saying.

I went online, did a little bit of research about it and I discovered the benefits of not rinsing after brushing. You might be wondering what then do we do when we brush? Try to remove all excess toothpaste wash from your mouth and enjoy your day (LOL). If in case you intend to try this, let me inform you that it will certainly feel weird for a while until you get used to it, but trust me, it’s one of the best decision I took last year. It helps promote longer fresh breath. It’s equally important to floss because brushing alone won’t remove harmful plaque and food particles that become stuck between your teeth and gums.

I want to shake a table and a lot of us will fall from the table (LOL). A lot of times, we breathe into our hands, to know if we have bad breath. This practice is totally wrong and should not continue in 2021. This is because when you breathe, you don’t use your throat the same way you do when you talk. When you talk, you tend to bring out the odours from the back of your mouth (where bad breath originates), which simply breathing doesn’t do. Also, because we tend to get used to our own smells, it’s hard for a person to tell if he or she has bad breath. If you’re concerned about bad breath, make sure you’re taking care of your teeth and mouth properly.

Other important ways include replacing your toothbrush every three months, brushing after every meal, regular dental checkups and cleanings. If unpleasant breath persists after trying out these remedies, then it is very important to make an appointment to see your dentist. Your dental team can find out if periodontal disease is the culprit behind your offensive breath and provide the right solution to remove it. In some cases, however, bad breath could be a sign of a more serious condition such as diabetic ketoacidosis, kidney failure, or an infection. Stay safe and healthy.