How to Get rid of Bad Breath !
16-06-2015 | Posted By: Admin | 4409 View(s)
Bad breath is generally caused by an increase in odour-causing bacteria in the mouth and decrease in saliva production or a stomach problem. However, one of the most common reasons behind this is eating foods like garlic or raw onion.
Human beings are a social animal.So anybody can be embarrassed by bad breath when you expel an odour that is not foul to your senses but your surroundings. It can even ruin relationships. So it should not be overlooked. Everybody has nasty breath in the morning after leaving the bed. Some people don’t realise that they have bad breath.
There is a way to find out the same. Take a piece of gauze and wipe it on the tongue. If the gauze comes out with a yellow colour or with a smell then it is an indication of having a high level of sulphides that causes breathing problems. Everyone wakes up with bad breath as the bacteria keep multiplying in the mouth for the whole night. So we need to get rid of bad breath.
Causes of Bad Breath:
Bacteria are the main cause of bad breath. These Bacteria form communities in the fissure of the tongue, gums and teeth. Bad Breath also comes from an oral source. A dirty denture, dry mouth, cracked fillings and cavities are the other reason for bad breath. Gum diseases can lead to bad breath too. Diabetes, Liver diseases, Chronic bronchitis and respiratory tract infection, etc. , can also be a reason for bad breath.
Food plays a major role to cause bad breath because what you eat affects what you exhale, for the food gets digested, then absorbed int the bloodstream and exhaled by the lungs at the time of breath. Food like garlic and onions are infamous for creating it. In the morning when the mouth is extremely dry, and there is not enough saliva to wash away food particles and bacteria, it causes bad breath. Infrequent flossing can lead to this problem. The tongue is the best lodge for bacteria and its growth is 80-90% on the backside of the tongue and causes it.
There are several other factors also that causes bad breath like poor dental hygiene, dry mouth, infections in your mouth and other nose and throat conditions. If you are dealing with a bad breath problem, then do visit a Dentist. Other than that, you can try using mouth fresheners to get rid of your bad breath. Don’t worry! There are some simple ways to prepare mouth fresheners at home about which we will discuss later in this article.
1. A Rigorous Oral Hygiene Regimen
The cornerstone of combating bad breath lies in a dedicated oral hygiene routine. This routine should include:
–Regular Brushing: Brush your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day, ideally in the morning and before bed. Use a fluoride toothpaste and pay attention to all surfaces of your teeth, including the fronts, backs, and chewing surfaces.
-Flossing Daily: Flossing is crucial for removing food particles and plaque from between the teeth and along the gum line, where a toothbrush might not reach. Make it a daily habit to ensure optimal oral health.
-Tongue Cleaning: The surface of the tongue can harbor bacteria that contribute to bad breath. Gently clean your tongue with a tongue scraper or the back of your toothbrush to eliminate these culprits.
2. Adequate Hydration:
A dry mouth can be a breeding ground for bacteria that cause bad breath. Drinking ample water throughout the day keeps your mouth moist and encourages saliva production, which naturally helps cleanse the mouth.
3. Sugar-Free Gum or Mints:
Chewing sugar-free gum or using sugar-free mints can be a quick fix for bad breath. These products stimulate saliva flow, which aids in cleaning the mouth and neutralizing acids.
4. Mindful Dietary Choices:
Your diet plays a significant role in your breath’s freshness. Embrace a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. These foods help clean your mouth and promote good oral health.
5. Moderate Strong-Smelling Foods:
Certain foods like garlic, onions, and spicy dishes can impart a pungent odor to your breath. While they offer wonderful flavors, they can linger on your breath. Consume them in moderation, especially before social interactions
6. Avoid Tobacco Products:
Smoking and using tobacco products can lead to chronic bad breath, along with a host of other severe health issues. Quitting or avoiding these habits is a significant step toward better oral and overall health.
7. Use Antimicrobial Mouthwash:
Rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthwash can help kill bacteria that cause bad breath. Opt for alcohol-free options to avoid contributing to dry mouth.
8. Regular Dental Check-ups:
Regular dental check-ups and cleanings are non-negotiable in the battle against bad breath. These visits allow your dentist to identify and address any underlying issues contributing to halitosis.
9. Treat Underlying Health Conditions:
Medical conditions like gum disease, sinus infections, or gastrointestinal issues can contribute to bad breath. Treating these conditions can significantly improve breath quality.
10. Natural Remedies:
Fresh Herbs: Chewing on fresh mint, parsley, or basil leaves can naturally freshen breath. These herbs have natural aromatic properties that can combat unpleasant odors.
Saltwater Gargle: Gargling with a saltwater solution can help kill bacteria and reduce inflammation in the mouth, contributing to a fresher breath.
Baking Soda Rinse: Mixing a small amount of baking soda with water and using it as a mouthwash can help neutralize odors and create an alkaline environment that inhibits bacterial growth.
11. Good Habits for Long-Term Freshness:
Nasal Breathing: Breathing through your nose whenever possible helps maintain moisture in your mouth and reduces the risk of dry mouth, a common contributor to bad breath.
Stress Management: Stress can lead to dry mouth and contribute to bad breath. Incorporate stress-reducing techniques like deep breathing exercises, meditation, or yoga into your routine.
12. Persistence and Consistency:
Improving bad breath requires patience and consistent effort. Stick to your oral hygiene routine and give your body time to respond. With time, dedication, and the right habits, you can experience lasting improvements in your breath quality.
If bad breath persists despite your efforts, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional. It could be indicative of an underlying medical condition that requires specialized treatment.
Prevention:
If anybody has a bad breath problem on a continuous basis, then they must visit a dentist. Then only they can find out the actual reasons for the same. Though there are many ways to prevent it such as
1.Brush twice daily: Brush your teeth twice a day. It will keep your breath smelling fresh.
2.Floss the Teeth: Flossing removes food trapped between Teeth.
3.Scraping Tongue: Due to the plaque that has assembled in the tongue’s folds, it must be cleaned by tongue scraper twice a day.
4.Using Sugar-Free Gum: Though the gum is not proper oral hygiene, the chewing stimulates saliva and stops your mouth from drying out. This helps to get rid of bad-smelling breath.
5.Quit Smoking: If you want to get rid of bad breath, then give up smoking. It increases the risk of gum diseases and breath.
6.Use Mouthwash: Use of mouthwash is recommended by the dentist. It should be used on a daily basis in the morning and at night. It helps to get rid of bad breath. It is better to use alcohol-free brands that contain chlorhexidine or hydrogen peroxide.
7.Hydration: Drink lots of water after a meal. It helps to clean harmful bacteria and detritus from between the teeth. The mouth needs saliva to remove bacteria. So it is needed not to have a dry mouth. So Stay hydrated.
8.Decrease coffee consumption: Drink green tea instead of coffee as it is has a tough smell to get off the back of your tongue.
9.Avoid foods that can cause bad breath: Foods such as garlic and onions can leave a lingering odor on your breath.
10.Visit your dentist regularly: Your dentist can help identify and treat any underlying dental problems that may be causing bad breath.
There are also natural ways to get rid of bad-smelling breath. Eat fresh food, drinking milk, washing your mouth with baking soda, gargling with apple cider vinegar, chewing of fresh herbs, etc. So get rid of it by natural ways as soon as possible to avoid unwarranted embarrassment.
Here are Some Ingredients You Can use to Make Homemade Mouth Freshener
1. Cardamom
Cardamom, also called Choti elaichi has a strong and unique and taste. Its strong aroma helps in reducing bad breath. Also, it improves digestion and relieves problem like flatulence and bloating.
2. Cinnamon
Cinnamon, is also known as dalchini and is one of the most ingredients for oral health. It helps in inhibiting the growth of odour-causing bacteria and also improves your digestive system.
3. Clove
Cloves, also known as laung, have excellent antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that help in healing and fighting infections in the mouth.
4. Coriander Seeds
Coriander seeds, also called dhania daal, has a strong flavour which enables you to get rid of bad breath immediately.
5. Fennel
Fennel is also known as saunf, and it comprises of anethole that has powerful antimicrobial properties that fight against fungi, yeast and bacteria. It has a tasty, sweet flavour which helps in keeping your mouth feeling fresh after a meal.
6. Dried Ginger Powder
Dried ginger powder, also known as sonth, has antibacterial properties that effectively kill odour-causing bacteria in the mouth. Also, it boosts the production of saliva in the mouth, which helps in keeping away the bacteria and leaves you with sweet breath.
7. Flaxseeds
Flaxseeds are also known as alsi and efficiently work in treating bad breath. They have a long-lasting flavour and hence keeps your breath fresh.
8. Melon Seeds
Melon seeds, also known as magaz, help in improving digestion. They have a sweet flavour which helps you stay away from bad breath problems.
9. Sesame Seeds
Sesame seeds are excellent for stomach and digestion, and hence they are used to prepare natural mouth freshener.
How to Prepare Homemade Mouth Freshener
Things you Will Need
• ¼ cup fennel seeds
• ¼ cup coriander seeds
• ¼ cup white sesame seeds
• One teaspoon dried ginger powder
• One teaspoon cinnamon powder
• One-half teaspoon clove powder
• Two tablespoons cardamom seeds
• One tablespoon carom seeds
• Dried coconut shreds- As desired
• One tablespoon flaxseeds
• Two tablespoons melon seeds
• Sugar candy (also known as mishri)- As per your taste
Method to Prepare Homemade Mouth Freshener
Keep all the ingredients in front of you. Now, you need to put a skillet on the stove and turn the heat on low. Now, pour fennel seeds into the skillet and dry roast for about five minutes and set aside. Then, dry roast coriander seeds for three to four minutes. Then, you have to dry roast white sesame seeds for five minutes. Now the next step is dry roast shredded coconut until the colour changes to a light golden brown. Dry roast melon seeds for a few minutes. Next, you need to dry roast flaxseeds for six to seven minutes, until they start spluttering. After that, you have to dry roast carom seeds for three to four minutes. Once you are done, mix all of these roasted ingredients in a bowl. Now, mix in dried ginger powder, clove, cinnamon powder and sugar candy and blend all the ingredients well. Tada! Your homemade mouth freshener is ready!
Store your delicious mouth freshener in an airtight container and keep the container in a cool, dry place. Consume one or two teaspoons after meals.
Few Key Points to Remember
1. Make sure that you roast the ingredients on low heat because roasting them on high heat may turn them sour.
2. Keep the mouth container in an airtight container.
3. Avoid consuming sulphide-rich foods like onion, ginger and garlic at night because they lead to foul breath.
4. Avoid eating foods rich in protein at night as anaerobic bacteria tend to grow at night on the protein leftover in the mouth, causing bad breath.
If your bad breath persists despite these measures, it may be a sign of an underlying medical condition, and you should consult your doctor.
We hope you liked the blog! If you have any other ideas on how to make mouth fresheners at home, do not forget to share with us in the comments section below.
