How to Treat Bad Breath

By eHow Health Editor

Rate: (21 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.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

  • Fresh Parsley
  • Breath Fresheners
  • Dental Floss
  • Mouthwash
  • Toothbrushes
  • Toothpaste

Step1
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.
Step2
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.
Step3
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.
Step4
Keep a regular log of your eating habits and medications, as these can cause bad breath. Share the log with your dentist.
Step5
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.
Step6
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.
Step7
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

| View All Comments
Flag This Comment

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..

Flag This Comment

on 1/9/2007 For those who have really bad breath and even the occasional "tonsil stone" or tonsilolith- I have this problem and if left untreated it results in very bad breath. I'm talking really bad; my roommate had the same problem and I couldn't stand to talk to him within a 3 ft radius. However, there are things you can do to prevent this type of bad breath (and I imagine lesser forms too.) First off, the Therabreath Products are awesome and they are available at Wal-Mart. Try the toothpaste with tongue scraper, and the mouthwash. Those products single-handedly alleviated my bad breath. If for whatever reason you don't have access to these products here are some things you can do. 1. Salt water rinse will really help out. I take a glass of warm water and add about a spoonful of salt and eventually gargle the whole thing. 2. Baking Soda rinse, not as effective as the salt water but still good. 3. Hydrogen peroxide rinse, this is a very effective way to kill those odor causing bacteria by oxygenating them. I gargle pure hydrogen peroxide, which was weird at first but not anymore. Use the above methods (together) and you will be on your way to fresh breath and new self-confidence.

Flag This Comment

on 12/15/2006 Okay this really helps...Take a tissue and stick it in your mouth. On your tounge and on the roof of your mouth. While it's in your mouth try to spit. Neutraliezes it!

Flag This Comment

on 12/15/2006 Do not eat poop since it can ruin your breath.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

Flag This Comment

on 9/16/2006 Don't ever buy mints or gum again. The sugars will just make your breath stink more within ten minutes. First, use 1 part hydrogen peroxide mixed with one part salt water. Gargle for at least a minute and spit it out. Second, 3 parts baking soda mixed with 1 part salt water. Brush your teeth, gums, under and on top of your tongue, cheeks, etc., for a minute or two. Rinse if you want, but I swallow it instead. The baking soda lowers your Ph level, which means you have high levels of acid coming up from your stomach. That's all you do 4 times a day.

View All

Post a Comment

POST A COMMENT

Request a New How-To Article

Looking for more How To information? Chances are there’s an eHow member who knows how to do what you’re looking to do. Submit an article request now!

eHow Article:  How to Treat Bad Breath

eHow Health Editor

eHow Health Editor

Category: Health

Articles: See my other articles

Related Ads

Floss Your Teeth

How to Floss Your Teeth
By: eHow Health Editor


Brush Your Teeth

How to Brush Your Teeth
By: eHow Health Editor


Find a Dentist

How to Find a Dentist
By: eHow Health Editor


Prevent Bad Breath in Pets

How to Prevent Bad Breath in Pets
By: eHow Pets Editor


Eat for Healthier Teeth

How to Eat for Healthier Teeth
By: eHow Health Editor


Health

DrJewell
Meet DrJewell eHow’s Health Expert.