Halitosis is the official name for bad breath. The good news is that if you’re suffering from it, you’re not alone. It’s estimated 2.4% of the population have bad breath, including an array of celebrities.
Of course, having bad breath is likely to make you self-conscious. You may avoid social occasions, lose confidence in yourself, and potentially become a hermit.
The good news is that you can treat bad breath. You first need to understand what causes it and you should speak to a reputable dentist Campsie to help you beat the bad breath.
Most Common Causes
There are several things that can cause bad breath.
Your diet
You probably already know food makes a difference to your breath. Eat enough garlic and your whole body will reek of it, not just your breath. But, this is a temporary issue. It only becomes an extended issue if the food gets stuck between your teeth and you don’t clean your mouth properly.
Dental or health problems
If you have tooth decay or gum disease then you already have bacteria in your mouth. Unfortunately, the bacteria are not healthy and will create a distinctive aroma. Alongside this, if you have a medical issue you may find that it causes you to have bad breath. It can even be a side effect of the medication you need.
Lack of oral care
If you don’t look after your teeth and mouth you will allow bacteria and plaque to build up. This will result in infections which create a distinctive and unpleasant aroma.
Dealing With Halitosis
The best thing you can do to keep halitosis at bay is to brush your teeth every day. You should brush for two minutes morning and evening. It is also important to hold the brush with just one finger and thumb. This will stop you from scrubbing your teeth too hard and damaging the teeth and gums.
Alongside this, make sure you floss daily to remove additional debris and visit your dentist regularly.
Saltwater
A little salt dissolved in water makes the perfect solution for killing bacteria. You can swish a mouthful of salted water around your mouth after you’ve eaten to kill bacteria, infections, and leave your mouth feeling and smelling fresher.
Green tea
Another way to look after your mouth and prevent halitosis is to drink green tea. If you don’t want to drink it then use it as a mouthwash. It’s full of antioxidants which destroy the sulfide compound which has been linked with halitosis.
You can also try oolong tea which can help prevent the bacteria streptococcus mutans from flourishing in your mouth.
Probiotics
If the halitosis is being caused by the digestive process then you can calm your stomach by taking probiotic supplements. These improve gut health, can kill the bacteria which cause halitosis, and can even help reduce stomach ulcers. There is no better reason to start using probiotics today!
There are other natural options but the above are some of the best ways to eliminate your bad breath and allow you to start living again.