subject: How To Prevent Bad Breath - 8 Tips [print this page] Bad breath results from two key issues: oral hygiene and gastrointestinal health. Basically this means that breath odors originate not just inside the mouth but also from your digestive tract. The culprit in both cases is largely bacteria. We know some of the causes of bad breath, but have you ever asked yourself "How do I prevent bad breath for good?" The following guidelines will help you eliminate or significantly reduce your halitosis.
1. A recent study found that a serving of yogurt each day reduces the level of odor-causing hydrogen sulfide in the mouth. Apparently it also cuts back on bacteria in the mouthplaque and gum disease were reduced in the studys yogurt eaters as well. Plus, the American Dietetic Association (ADA) recommends getting enough vitamin D from yogurt, cheese and milk if youre worried about halitosis because this vitamin creates an inhospitable environment for bacteria growth. Be sure to get the kind of yogurt with active culturesnot overly processed or sugar-added varieties.
2. Choices in diet are the top cause of bad breath, but bad breath caused by eating is temporary. The remedy for garlic breath, or onion breath is a quick rinse of your mouth with clean water. A few of the volatile oils from onion or garlic can survive digestion to be exhaled by the lungs, but these are less than 5% of all the odor causing compounds in this natural source of stinky breath.
3. Don't smoke: Not only does it make you and your breath stink right from the start, it also dries your mouth, contributing to accelerated anaerobic bacteria reproduction and bad breath. If you really want to prevent bad breath, you will not smoke.
4. Place a few drops of tee tree oil or peppermint oil on your tongue or use the oil on your toothbrush along with your toothpaste. Alternatively, select a toothpaste or mouth rinse that contains these natural oils known for their antibacterial properties to assist in the fight against halitosis causing bacteria.
5. Eating berries, citrus fruits, melons and other vitamin C-rich foods create an inhospitable environment for bacteria growth. A diet rich in vitamin C is also is important for preventing gum disease and gingivitisboth major causes of halitosis. Get your C in foods, not supplements, which can cause gastrointestinal upset in some, according to Sass, and exacerbate bad breath.
6. Drink plenty of water: Make sure you consume plenty of fluids during the day, especially water. Doing so will help wash food particles and excess mucous from your mouth. It will also help prevent dry mouth. This is very important, not only because it will help you prevent bad breath, but also because drinking a sufficient quantity of water each day is critical to your overall well-being. This is one of the best bad breath cure.
7. Always make sure your toothbrush is clean and dry before you use it to brush your teeth. A wet toothbrush caked white with toothpaste is a bad breath germ factory.
