Most bad breath (halitosis) comes from something in the mouth. Food sticksbetween your teeth, around the gums and on your tongue. If you don't brushand floss your teeth every day, this food can rot. The rotten bits of foodcause a bad smell in your mouth. Rotten food also helps bacteria to grow inyour mouth. This bacteria can cause gum disease, or gingivitis. Gingivitisalso causes bad breath. The things you eat and drink affect your breath. Bad breath may also be asign of a health problem.
What can I do to prevent bad breath?
- Brush your teeth at least 2 times every day, using a fluoride toothpaste. Be sure to brush along the gumline, as well as all tooth surfaces. Each timeyou brush your teeth, use your toothbrush to clean the surface of yourtongue.
- Floss your teeth at least once a day to remove food from between yourteeth.
- Eat more fruits and vegetables every day. Eat less meat.
- Avoid certain foods that cause you to have bad breath. These foods mightinclude onions, garlic and pastrami. Alcoholic beverages often cause badbreath.
- Avoid using tobacco products. Any kind of tobacco can cause halitosis.
- Sometimes a dry mouth has an unpleasant odor. If your mouth is dry, youcan suck on sugar-free mints, chew sugar-free gum or drink water.
- Most mouthwashes do not have a long-lasting effect on bad breath. If youuse a mouthwash, swish it around in your mouth for 30 seconds beforespitting it out.
- If you wear removable dentures, take them out at night. Brush the denturesand soak them overnight in a disinfecting solution. Removable braces shouldalso be cleaned. Follow the directions of your dentist.
- See your dentist twice a year to have your teeth cleaned.
- If you still have bad breath, see your family doctor to find out what iscausing it. (AAFP)
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