A recent statistic shows how 60% of the entire population is fighting bad breath. Throughout the globe, this oral issue has ruined many meetings, dates and job interviews. The thing about bad breath is that it appears when we least expect it.
However, there are some common factors that increase chances for bad breath. Sulfur rich food, alcohol and tobacco should be avoided at all cost! Besides these, gum disease, stress, tooth decay and infections will also lead to it.
To help you out, we are presenting the 5 most effective ways for stopping such an odor:
- Nutrition
As for everything in our bodies, taking care of your oral health must start from the inside. We are what we eat so you might be experiencing bad breath due to a certain ingredient. Before you change your nutrition, investigate about foods which almost always remove bad breath.
Start with drinking lots of water, eating apples, squeezing a lemon, and brushing with aloe vera gel. But, traditional methods haven’t lost their charms as well. For instance, in the past, people have chewed certain herbs such as parsley, basil and mint. This is still largely recommended even by oral health professionals.
- Teeth Cleaning
We mentioned how tooth decay, infections and gum disease can be the reason behind your unpleasant breath. These are either the result of genetic material or of poor hygiene. In any case, you must visit the dental clinic to properly address the issue.
Professional dental cleaning is a painless procedure. During it, the dentist will use special tools, brushes, and toothpaste to remove tartar from your teeth and gums. This strengthens your teeth and expands their lifespan. The procedure is especially recommended for nicotine users and older folks.
- Floss and Rinse
Everybody should floss, brush and rinse at least 2 times a day. Experts recommend oral cleaning before and after sleep. However, you must make sure that you are properly cleaning your teeth. Here is what you should know about oral care:
- Use soft toothbrush to avoid damaging your gums
- Change your toothbrush every 2 months
- Try to floss after every meal
- Mouthwash with an alcohol free product (there are recipes in the last paragraph)
- Always choose quality toothpaste
- Tongue Scraping
Another important part of oral cleaning is tongue scraping. Most people don’t practice it, but what most of them forget is that bacteria-filled tongues can cause bad breath as well. Often we use a separate toothbrush to scrub our tongue, but usually it seems like an impossible mission.
Instead of wondering if the brush made any difference, try to use a tongue scraper or a spoon. The bacteria that builds up on your tongue may also cause other damages to your oral health. Make sure to scrape it at least once a day.
- Try Essential Oils
If you are keen on natural and organic products, the classical toothpaste may not be enough. This is where essential oils and homemade recipes come in. Before you try any of them, it is wise to consult with your dental clinic. Here are some of them:
- Peppermint oil – Mix 2 drops with water and rinse for 30 seconds
- Lemongrass oil and grind – Either chew the grind or mix the oil with water for rinsing
- Aloe vera – Boil water. After it cools, mix it with aloe vera and use it as toothpaste
- Eucalyptus oil – Helps with inflammation. Also mixed with water for rinsing
Remember to spit the oils after rinsing. Never drink them! For closing words, here is one longer homemade recipe for bad breath:
- Mix 1 cup apple chunks, 1 cup grated carrot, 1 cup diced celery, 1/2 cup dried cranberries, 1/2 crushed walnuts with 3 to 6 tablespoons of nonfat yoghurt. Garnish with cinnamon and dig in!
