There is nothing more embarrassing than to be engaged in a conversation with someone with bad breath, especially when you don’t have a mint or gum to offer them. Bad breath, or halitosis, is not only uncomfortable for you, but for everyone around you. Bad breath often occurs when a person does not properly take care of their oral hygiene.

According to the article “Discover the causes of Bad Breath and the Solution”, by Dr. Jon L. Richter (founder of the ProHealth Breath Care System), “a particular bacterium that resides on the soft tissues in the back of the mouth, mainly on the back of the tongue, causes bad breath, or halitosis. These bad breath bacteria thrive under a blanket of mucous where they produce putrid sulfur gases which cause bad breath.”

Dr. Richter further explains that, “some foods can cause bad breath odor. Garlic, onions, alcohol, hot peppers or aromatic spices may cause bad breath up to 72 hours after digestion.”

Listed below are some steps you may want to take to maintain a healthy, clean mouth:

• Brush after each meal as often as possible, or brush at least twice daily, after breakfast and before bedtime. Rinse your mouth in between meals when you can’t brush.
• Brush all your teeth, gums, and especially your tongue.
• Brush for at least three minutes each time using a soft bristle brush.
• Change your tooth brush every three months.
• After brushing, floss. Floss between your teeth each time you brush. If you want some indication of how your breath smells, when flossing, smell what comes out on the dental floss. When left between the teeth that food ferments and causes cavities, which lead to bad breath.
• If you wear oral devices or mouth guards, clean those as well, according to doctor’s orders.
• Chew sugarless gum in between meals. Chewing gum helps to stimulate saliva. Salvia helps to clean the mouth and prevents the growth of bacteria in the mouth. It’s when the mouth is dry that bacteria grows rapidly and causes bad breath. That’s why you have bad breath when you awaken.
• Drink plenty of water. Keep the mouth hydrated. The water also helps to wash away unwanted food particles and minimizes the growth of bacteria.
• Visit your dentist at least twice per year for a professional cleaning and check up.

A clean, healthy mouth is something you control. Carefully examine your mouth, teeth, and gums before and after brushing for imperfections in your mouth. Check your smile as well. If your teeth glisten, your breath smells fresh and your gums look healthy, then you can be confident that your mouth is healthy.

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Tags: Healthy Living