It's almost impossible to figure out if we have bad breath on our own. We've met a few people who are not aware they have really terrible breath and others that are always chewing on a mint or gum because they are overly concern about their breath. Although embarrassing, asking someone else to determine your breath conditions is probably the best way to go (as long as they are honest), but if you don't want to go through that trouble here are a few ways for you to reduce the concern of having bad breath.
1. Brush and Floss twice a day.
Unsurprisingly this is on the list, but we must emphasize the importance of brushing and flossing as this is the most effective way to keep your gums healthy and prevent gum disease. The bacteria that causes gum disease may also cause halitosis(bad breath), therefore reducing the amount of bacteria that hides in between your teeth and gums can significantly reduce and prevent bad breath. Consider using a sonic toothbrush, to further help you clean your teeth.
2. Brush your tongue.
You'll be surprise to find out that most bad breath is caused by bacteria that sits on your tongue, specifically the very back of your tongue. So if brushing your tongue is not a part of your daily dental care you should seriously start doing this now! You may use a soft toothbrush to gently brush your tongue, but I suggest that you use a tongue scraper instead because these tend to do a better job. Checkout our review on my favorite tongue scraper, the orabrush.
3. Use a mouthwash.
Mouthwash reduces odor causing bacteria and freshens your breath instantly. You should consider using a mouthwash after you brush, floss and scrape your tongue to further reduce bacterial levels in your mouth. If you can, try using an alcohol-free mouthwash because mouthwash that contains alcohol may cause dry mouth.
4. Prevent dry mouth.
If you suffer from dry mouth not only can this increase your chances of tooth decay, but it can also cause bad breath. Drinking alcohol may cause dry mouth, so avoid this if you can. Drink plenty of water throughout the day and chew xylitol or sugarless gum to stimulate salivary flow and keep your mouth moist.
5. Change your diet and habits.
Everyone knows that smoking tobacco, eating onion and garlic causes bad breath so it's no surprise that we're asking your to avoid these, but did you know that almost all dairy products contribute to bad breath? We're not asking you to stop drinking milk and eating cheese, but if you love to snack on dairy products throughout the day and wonder why you have bad breath, this could very well be the reason.
If all this fails to reduce your bad breath, consider seeing your dentist and/or doctor. Although rare, there is a small chance that your bad breath could be caused by some health conditions such as sinusitis, bronchitis, tonsillitis or certain gastrointestinal diseases.
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