How to Get Rid of Chronic Bad Breath
Chronic bad breath, or halitosis, can be caused by a variety of factors. Although many people believe that chronic bad breath originates from the stomach, that is not the case. Halitosis comes either from the mouth or the nose and nasal passages. Luckily, there is a clear-cut methodology to fighting bad breath and keeping the bacteria that cause it at bay.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
Steps to Better Breath
-
1
Visit the dentist to make sure you do not have any tooth or gum problems. Proper tooth and gum health is essential in fighting bad breath. Infected gums and teeth are a probable cause of halitosis. A proper brushing and flossing routine is also very important in fighting bacteria that produce bad breath.
-
2
After ruling out the mouth, make sure there are no nasal problems causing halitosis. Sinusitis and other bacterial infections of the nasal passages can cause postnasal drip. While postnasal drip has no odor at first, it develops one as it sits on the tongue.
-
-
3
Use a tongue scraper or simply brush the back of the tongue with a toothbrush on a daily basis to help get rid of the bacteria that cause bad breath. Proper tongue hygiene is necessary in combating halitosis.
-
4
Chew gum, which can do more than mask the smell of objectionable breath. Chewing gum can displace the bacteria that build up on the tongue after a meal or when your mouth is dry. Drinking more water can also help to displace bacteria on the tongue caused by a dry mouth.
-
5
Eat oxygen-rich vegetables like celery and parsley. This will keep bacteria from growing on the tongue, and freshen your breath at the same time. Eating a sprig of parsley after a meal can really make a difference.
-
6
Use mouthwash. Most varieties can help mask the odor of bad breath; some prescribed by your dentist contain oxygen-rich formulas that will actually kill the bacteria that build up in your mouth.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Brush your teeth after each meal. If you work during the day, consider taking a toothbrush with you. Keep chewing gum in your car or pocket for after meals. Drink a little extra water every day, even if you are not thirsty, to prevent your mouth from becoming dry.
