There really is no bigger confidence killer than bad breath. You could be the most stunningly beautiful individual on Earth with more money than God, and still find your days and nights blighted by halitosis.
The fact that bad breath is such a comment issue does not make it any easier to deal with for those affected. We all face the occasional bout of bad breath from time to time, but chronic halitosis really can be adversely life-affecting.
Thankfully, there is no such thing as a case of bad breath that cannot be corrected. As with most things, the key to busting bad breath once and for all lies in first determining the cause.
Something that begins with a trip to your doctor or dentist, who can help you find out what’s going on.
While bad breath can be a symptom of an underlying health condition, it is usually (almost always) caused by poor habits or lifestyle issues. In this case, you simply need to make a few basic adjustments here and there, in order to get your bad breath under control.
With this in mind, here are 10 tried, tested and verified tips from the experts on how to banish bad breath for good:
1. Brush and Floss More Often
First up, individuals who do not stick religiously to a morning and evening oral hygiene regime are at the highest risk of bad breath. The simple fact of the matter is that if you do not brush and floss at least twice a day, you’ll leave the kind of debris and bacteria in your mouth that will eventually stink. Not that this means it is a good idea to brush excessively – two or three times a day is sufficient for most people. And when brushing, avoid the temptation to brush too hard, which will always do more harm than good.
2. Rinse Your Mouth Regularly
Along with brushing and flossing twice a day, it is also important to bring a good dentist-recommended mouthwash into your everyday regime. Used before or after brushing (depending on the manufacturer’s guidelines), mouthwash can help ensure a whole-mouth clean for fresh breath confidence. There are also plenty of milder mouthwash products that can be used more regularly throughout the day, perhaps diluted to reduce their intensity. Even rinsing with clean water (or a saltwater solution) at regular intervals can make a huge difference in breath freshness.
3. Scrape Your Tongue
If you had any idea just how much unpleasant bacteria your tongue was harbouring, you’d show it more TLC. Brushing and scraping your tongue is just as important as cleaning your teeth and gums, where looking to bring bad breath under control. There is exponentially more bad-smell-causing bacteria on your tongue than anywhere else in your mouth. Bacteria which will remain and place and continue to spread until you do something about it, ideally with a dentist-recommended toothbrush.
4. Avoid Foods That Cause Bad Breath
Of course, it goes without saying that any foods that are notorious for causing bad breath should probably be avoided entirely. Garlic and onions are two of the biggest offenders, which high-potency compounds that stick around in the mouth and elsewhere long after being consumed.
5. Quit Smoking
One of the single biggest and most common causes of bad breath is smoking. Contrary to popular belief, it is not just the stink of the smoke itself that will rob you of fresh-breath confidence. Smoking tobacco (and other substances) causes the kind of catastrophic damage to the teeth, gums, tongue and airways that can result in terrible breath. Whether you smoke regularly or occasionally, you will find it practically impossible to enjoy fresh breath and confidence until you quit.
6. Swap After-Dinner Mints For Gum
After dinner mints (and breath fresheners in general) can be great for temporarily masking the smell of bad breath. Unfortunately, the effects are strictly temporary and many such products have a tendency to contain elevated quantities of sugar. For keeping bad breath at bay, nothing gets the job done better than chewing sugar-free gum. Along with helping keep your mouth minty fresh, the chewing action also enhances saliva production – the body’s natural cleansing product that keeps the mouth in good shape.
7. Keep Your Gums Healthy
It is not always issues with the teeth or tongue that result in bad breath. Quite the opposite, as one of the most prolific causes of breath issues is gum disease. Most people will develop gum disease to some extent at some point or another during their lives. By prioritising gum health with an appropriate oral hygiene regime, you have a much lower risk of developing the kind of gum disease that can become problematic. If you ever experience sensitivity, redness or bleeding of the gums, speak to your dentist about gum disease prevention.
8. Stay Hydrated
A dry mouth is a recipe for unpleasant smells. The human mouth needs to remain sufficiently moist at all times to protect itself from germs, bacteria and other nasties. None of which can happen if you do not remain well hydrated, which means ensuring you get your minimum 2+ litres of water each day.
9. Try Parsley
One of the oldest folk remedies in the book for bad breath, parsley is said to have a powerful deodorising effect thanks to its high chlorophyll content and fresh scent. In addition, some studies have shown how parsley can actively help fight back against volatile odour-causing sulphur compounds in the mouth. Parsley is packed with vitamins and nutrients, so it’s always worth adding it to your dishes or simply chewing a bunch of fresh leaves on occasion.
10. Speak to a Professional
Last up, any case of bad breath that cannot be brought under control through the means above it could be indicative of an underlying health issue. Rather than taking chances on your health and well-being, it is always advisable to speak to a professional at an early stage. You may find that your lingering issue with bad breath he’s easy to bring under control than you thought.
