Six Tips To Have Fresh Breath

So, third post of the year. Or technically second. I thought I’d start the year off with a short one in the form of a list. I’m doing this for two reasons. The first is that I’m lazy, astaghfirullah. While I’ve done the research, I’m just a bit lazy to write in detail. Secondly, the novelty of lists have still not worn off, despite it being 2019 already. Enjoy!

One: Stop Smoking

This one is a general tip that is good for you anyway. Some people are particularly repelled by the smell of tobacco.

Two: Favour Non-Sugar Breath Mints

Oooh, controversy! We haven’t changed one bit. If you have the option, go for sugar-free gum. We’re not just saying this for the lowered calorie count, but because sugar can make your breath worse.

Three: Clean Your Tongue

We often think about brushing our teeth and commonly overlook the fact that bacteria may lurk on our tongue too. So the next time you’re brushing your teeth, give your tongue a little TLC too.

Four: Avoid Sodium Lauryl Sulfate If You Can

Finally, a more specific tip. It might not be possible, but at least try if you can.

Five: Drink More Water

Dry mouth equals bad breath, especially when taking prescription medications.

Six: Keep Your Cool

Stress may make your breath worse, according to some experts. Now, here are some interesting facts whom a dentist friend of ours has published on the internet and is willing to share with us.

“Despite public opinion, bad breath rarely comes from the stomach. In most cases (about 90%), bad breath comes from the mouth itself. Most people can smell other people’s breath, but have trouble smelling their own. So, if you think you have bad breath, you might or you might not. Bad taste is usually not a good indication. The best and simplest way to find out is to ask an adult in your family or a close friend.

In the mouth, the most common source of bad breath is the very back of the tongue. Food debris, dead cells and postnasal drip can accumulate there, and the breakdown of the proteins by the resident bacteria causes foul odour. The second most important cause is bacteria breaking down protein between your teeth. By the way, the gases and other molecules that the bacteria produce are toxic and can harm your gums as well. Two good reasons to floss every day (if you don’t believe me, smell the floss).

Bad breath usually increases when the mouth is dry. Chewing sugarless gum for 4-5 minutes at a time can be helpful. The generalisation that mouthwashes work for only a few minutes is wrong. Try gargling right before bedtime for best results. Some researchers recommend alcohol-free mouth rinses.

Eating a hearty and healthy breakfast cleans the mouth and back of the tongue, gets the saliva flowing, and is probably good for you. Some people (maybe 5-7% of the population) have experienced small crumbly ’stones’ in their mouths that have a foul smell. These are called ‘tonsilloliths’. They are partially calcified, full of bacteria and develop in crypts in the tonsils. They smell pretty bad, but do not always cause bad breath (again, you have to ask someone).

In the large majority of cases, bad breath can be dramatically improved or eliminated. Children as young or two or three can have bad breath from postnasal drip, dental plaque and transient throat infections. However, if they develop sudden offensive odour that appears to come from all over their body, ask the physician to check whether they stuffed something up one of their nostrils.”

Educate yourself with this: