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How to Treat Bad Breath

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(35 Ratings)

Do people turn away when you talk to them? Do you seem to be offered an excessive amount of mints? The main cause of bad breath (halitosis) is a buildup of food particles in the mouth and the bacteria that result.

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Fresh Parsley
  • Breath Fresheners
  • Dental Floss
  • Mouthwash
  • Toothbrushes
  • Toothpaste
  • Dental Floss
  • Toothpaste
  1. Step 1

    Visit your dentist at least every six months for cleanings and checkups to keep your mouth free of plaque buildup and other problems that may lead to bad breath.

  2. Step 2

    Watch your consumption of foods such as alcohol, coffee (both caffeinated and decaffeinated), dense proteins (such as those found in dairy and meat products), garlic and onions, and sugars. These are all bad-breath offenders.

  3. Step 3

    Try to breathe through your nose. Breathing through your mouth can lead to having a dry mouth, which creates a breeding ground for odor-causing bacteria.

  4. Step 4

    Keep a regular log of your eating habits and medications, as these can cause bad breath. Share the log with your dentist.

  5. Step 5

    Brush your teeth and tongue twice a day to remove food particles and plaque, and floss between teeth once a day, preferably in the evening after you eat.

  6. Step 6

    Try using a fluoride mouth rinse with antiseptic ingredients and a pleasant mint flavor. This helps to protect your teeth, and the flavor masks odor problems.

  7. Step 7

    Consider internal breath fresheners'such as over-the-counter pills you take before or after a meal to aid the prevention of malodorous breath'or go the natural route and munch on some parsley after a meal.

Tips & Warnings
  • Keep mints and gum on hand (or better yet, a toothbrush and toothpaste) for meals that include ingredients such as garlic and onions.
  • If bad breath persists, check with your dentist. Bad breath might be a warning sign of other health problems.
  • If you wear removable dentures, take them out at night, and clean them before you put them on again in the morning.
  • Tobacco users often suffer from bad breath and other mouth-related problems.
  • If symptoms persist or if you have specific medical conditions or concerns, we recommend you contact a physician. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

Comments  

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on 7/21/2009 ALso, the halethfood drink called "rejuvelac" (filled with live acidopholis cultures).. it's justa couple bux & it's sure to alleviate any stomach ache, sour stomach etc. as well as poor breath (esp if it's something deep doen in stomach t hat is causing the offense!). It tastes like @&*% so be ready! Plug your nose and down it! I buy the small 2 bux bottle from whole foods. MAke sure to drink immediately, and/or refrigerate asap- unless u wanna risk letting the live cultures die! THe live cultures encourage the flourishing of ggod bacteria, which oppose the spread or bad bacteria (which causes the bad breath). Plus, I always eat a lotta fresh garlic before a date and/or after a garlick/oniony meal.. just in case..!!.. U can never be too careful about breath. Of course, always FLOSS FLOSS FLOSS! bd

Runnergal said

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on 11/27/2008 These all work really well, but also remember eating a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables and drinking lots of water. Eat according to your blood type, because I use to eat meat and such, but my body did not break it down correctly, so now I am vegetarian. Also try taking 1 chlorophyll tablet a day. Eat lots of fiber and vegetable juice to keep your colon cleansed. Lastly, consider detoxing your body once every 6 months.

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on 10/12/2008 good basics on dental hygiene.

Lizzy1984 said

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on 9/18/2008 Bad breath can also come from a stomach ailment. Acid reflux or an ulcer? The odor may not even be coming from your mouth.... it might just be escaping there. Check with your doctor about a possible stomach issue. He may be able to help more than the dentist if you have exhausted all other options. Oh, it could also be periodontal (sp?) gum disease. I know that issue causes bad breath. Nice article.

giegirl_08 said

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on 1/13/2007 Hi,ive searching in the internet on how to treat my bad breath,im shy to say this,after i eat i always brush my teeth day & night but still i can feel my breath smellls not so good,im desperate,i badly want to treat my bad breath,i suffer this bad breath since high school and i dont really join a group coz im shy,everytime i wake up in the morning i saw my teeth bleeding:(..Im so glad you give me a chance to write the embarassment i feel,thx a lot..

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