You can dress for success and have otherwise impeccable grooming, but bad breath will quickly put a damper on your social life. Some people are completely unaware that their breath odor is offensive to other people, says the American Dental Association. In almost all cases, bad breath can be addressed simply by improving your oral hygiene.
Halitosis Hazards
According to the National Institutes of Health, the cause of most cases of bad breath is simply the result of not exercising adequate oral hygiene. After you eat, small particles of food linger in your mouth, getting trapped between your teeth and clinging to your tongue and gums. These mealtime remainders quickly garner bacteria, which break them down, explains the ADA. This process causes a rotting, sulphuric smell to come from your mouth.
Oral Hygiene Basics
Bad breath can be resolved by bumping up the frequency of your teeth brushing. Make sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day and use dental floss to remove food from the tight crevices between your teeth. Brushing your tongue also helps to reduce bad breath, according to MayoClinic.com. If you wish, you can follow up with a mouthwash to kill remaining bacteria. Good oral hygiene serves another purpose: it removes plaque from your teeth that causes dental decay and gum disease, states the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine.
What You'll Need
The ADA advises using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste bearing the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Consider selecting an ADA-approved antimicrobial mouthwash and toothpaste--these reduce the number of bacteria in your mouth that cause bad breath, as well as prevent plaque build-up. According to MayoClinic.com, certain oral care ingredients have been scientifically proved to fight bad-breath odor, including cetylpyridinium chloride, chlorhexidine, chlorine dioxide and zinc. When selecting a toothbrush, the clinic points out that some brushes are fitted with tongue scrapers on the head, which can get your tongue cleaner.
What To Avoid
If you have an important meeting or social engagement, it may be wise to hold off on the garlic bread. Strong-smelling foods, especially garlic and onion, can cause the kind of bad breath that can't be mitigated by brushing, says the ADA. Once you consume these foods, they travel through your blood to your lungs, where you continue to be reminded of them with each expiration until they're completely purged from your body. Breath mints, gum and mouthwash can help mask this type of halitosis--but only temporarily. Also avoid using tobacco products, as these contribute to bad breath.
When to See Your Dentist
If bad breath doesn't go away with adequate oral hygiene, it may be time to see your dentist. MayoClinic.com states that there are other causes of bad breath, such as gum disease, sinus infections, respiratory illnesses and chronic health conditions. Until the underlying cause is diagnosed and treated by a dentist or medical professional, bad breath will linger.
