How can I prevent bad breath?

No one likes to hear that one has bad breath. But it’s even worse if you are unaware of it. It is common to not have a fresh breath in the mornings after you wake up. The reason behind it is that the germs in your mouth actively multiply as the flow of saliva is at a minimum. This is easy to sort out by just brushing followed by flossing. Some foods too contribute to bad breath such as onions, garlic or foods with  spices. This too can be tackled by brushing well after the meal.

Things go bad and embarrassing when the problem goes beyond control. The condition then is called “halitosis” or “malodour”. Not only can it be a problem for you but it can make life tougher for those around you.

How can you detect if you have a bad breath problem?

Most of the times we fail to observe that our breath can be foul-smelling to others. It’s always important to know that you have a problem and deal with it at the earliest before it starts bothering others. Use these tips to know if your breath smells:

• Lick on the inside of your wrist and wait for a couple of minutes. Once dry, try smelling the area. If it smells foul, you know you have a problem.
• Wipe your tongue with clean gauze. If the gauze is smelly, you know you have to take things beyond brushing.

Tips to prevent bad breath:

• Don’t be lazy to brush and floss, at least when you have a bad breath problem. If you are frequently on the move, carry a travel toothbrush and paste always.
• Clean your tongue as you brush. Most of the odor causing bacteria reside on the tongue surface especially at the back of your mouth.
• See your dentist frequently. Visiting him/her at least twice a year can detect problems beyond bad breath. Sometimes bad breath can be an indicator of other serious problems such as tooth or gum infections, abscesses or unclean dentures.
• Modify your diet and lifestyle. Include crisp fresh food that naturally cleans your mouth. Fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, lettuce, raw cucumbers etc. not only add antioxidants to your diet but also boost your oral health. Include probiotic yogurt in your diet to reduce the levels of bad breath causing sulfide compounds. 
• Use herbs as breath fresheners. Chewing on raw parsley or mint leaves can freshen your breath in no time, especially after a spicy meal. Alternatively, you can chew on fennel seeds or cardamom pods to improve the quality of your breath.
• Certain foods need to be avoided at all costs if you suffer from bad breath. Coffee, sodas, alcohol and smoking are all detrimental for your health and may add to the problem.
• Keep yourself hydrated. Dehydration too can cause bad breath in many. Drinking water can also help flush out most of the food remnants that odor causing bacteria love. It also promotes saliva production which helps keep the mouth clean and fresh.

To get professional teeth cleaning done,  contact Green Meadow Dental at 3579 B Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06111, (860)-865-0056. Families from West Berlin find the easy drive to Newington well worthwhile because or our expertise and modern facilities, our friendly dental team and the relaxing disposition of Dr. Mukund. We also service patients from surrounding areas such as Meriden, Hartford and Rocky Hill.