How to Get Rid of Bad Breath
Pop a mint, please! Bad breath, or halitosis as it's called in the medical field, affects everyone. Whether it's a job interview, a networking event, your first kiss or a close talking dinner date, you don't want to be distracted by something that's controllable.
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Things You'll Need
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Dental floss
- Tongue scraper
- Sugar-free mints or gum
Instructions
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See a dentist. Chances are you suffer from the typical bad breath moments that all people experience. However, there is a possibility that your unappealing breath is something more serious. Having a professional opinion helps you rule this out.
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Kick the morning breath blues! The morning is the best time to get rid of bad breath stored up over night. Brush and scrape as soon as you rise and no skipping on the weekends!
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Brush your tongue! Hundreds of germs live on the tongue and the strongest muscle in the body is a major contributor of bad breath. Tongue scrapers are very cheap and a great investment. If you don't have a scraper, use the toothbrush by scraping lengthwise, from the back of your mouth forward. Or if you're really desperate, a clean credit card is a great scraper substitute.
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Floss! Try to floss once a day, every other day if your teeth and gums are sensitive. There are many options when it comes to flossing. Floss comes in many forms. Pick the type that is most comfortable and easiest to use.
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Hydrate! In between meals and while you sleep, your mouth's saliva levels may fluctuate. A medical condition called xerostomia, better known as dry mouth, can occur when you are lacking fluids. Saliva is essential to wash away those leftovers from lunch.
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Keep sugar free mints and gum handy for quick fix moments. Used sparingly, mints and gum can offer immediate bad breath relief when you're in a pinch.
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Tips & Warnings
Watch what you eat. Some items are infamous for their causing of bad breath (garlic!) while other food and drink, like milk, appear to be tame, but create an unpleasant aftertaste.
Quit cold turkey! Smoking is a major contributor of long lasting bad breath.
Avoid sugary mints and gum. Fresh breath items with high doses of sugar can actually do more harm than good. Not only do they have extremely short freshness life spans, but the sugar sits on your teeth and reverses the positive effects of brushing and flossing.
Stop spitting! Boys, especially baseball playing boys, are guilty of frequent spitting. You need the saliva your body produces to avoid dry mouth and sore throats, two symptoms that can lead to bad breath.
