Halitosis -- How To Avoid It
Having a case of bad breath or halitosis is probably one of the most embarrassing situations that we can be in. Imagine that you are talking to someone special or important while your breath is giving out an unpleasant odor. It can turn awkward really fast. You can smell it yourself and the person that you are talking to can also smell it but no one mentions it. Awkward and embarrassing for sure.
Brushing your teeth after a meal is the most obvious and common way of preventing bad breath. The good news is that there are many other ways that you can do to avoid bad breath. A quick reminder though, if the condition persists, it is best to see your dentist. Keep on reading and avoid uncomfortably awkward situations.
Warm Salt Water
This is the simplest and quickest way to prevent halitosis. Gargling or rinsing with warm salt water or saline solution can prevent the buildup of bacteria in your mouth and throat. The saline solution’s slightly acidic properties stop the alkalizing environment that promotes the growth of bad breath causing microbes.
Drink Water
There will always be situations where you cannot brush your teeth after a meal. The solution? Drink lots of water with your meal. This will speed up the process of removing food debris and bacteria that are stuck in between your teeth. Another tip is to avoid sugary food if you know that you would not be able to brush your teeth after eating.
Clean Dental Appliances
If you are wearing dentures or any other dental appliance, make sure to clean them after every meal or at least once a day. Stuck food debris can promote the growth of bacteria that will cause bad breath. You can consult with your dentist for the best product to clean your dental appliance.
Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint oil has potent anti-microbial properties and since halitosis is caused by bacteria build up in the mouth, this is a great option that you can try. It only takes one to two drops in water and swishing it around your mouth for thirty seconds. Kills the bacteria while leaving you with fresh breath.
Avoid Too Much Coffee
Coffee is awesome. It’s a great drink to start the day and is delicious. But you may consider cutting down your coffee consumption as it is tough to remove its smell from your tongue. Try green tea as an alternative. You may grow to like it more than coffee.
