Having bad breath is embarrassing, especially when you have to deal with people close up. Luckily, there are some things you can do to prevent this from happening to you.
Brush Your Teeth and Mouth
Brushing your teeth at least twice a day is a good way to rid your mouth of bad-breath-causing bacteria. Not only should you brush regularly, it is recommended that you floss once a day to remove bacteria and food particles from between your teeth. In addition, stop the bacteria breeding ground by brushing your tongue by using either your toothbrush or a specifically designed tongue cleaner. Focus on the back of your tongue where the most bacteria live.
Drink Water
Your breath gets odorous overnight because you do not drink fluids. When you wake up in the morning, be sure to drink water. After you eat or drink something, rinse your mouth with water. This water re-balances your pH levels in your mouth and allows food particles stuck in your mouth to loosen for swallowing or spitting purposes.
Use Natural Cures
Parsley on the side of your plate when you eat out is not just there as a decoration. Herbs such as mint, dill, parsley, basil and cilantro temporarily mask the odor of bad breath. Chewing these herbs also releases chlorophyll into the body, helping to neutralize internal body odors. Green tea and cinnamon, particularly when paired together, offer another natural cure to bad breath.
Eat Fruits and Vegetables
Already healthy for you, certain fruits and vegetables aid in the prevention of bad breath as well. Fruits high in vitamin C, such as melons, berries and citrus fruits help to kill the bacteria in your mouth. Celery, carrots, apples and other fiber-filled, crunchy foods get the food between your teeth to remove. They also increase the saliva in your mouth, helping with bad breath removal.
Stop Smoking
Not only does smoking cause many health problems and make your clothing smell, your breath also takes on an odor from cigarettes and cigars. The chemicals from cigarettes and the increased likelihood of oral infections and diseases causes odor, as does the plaque buildup on your teeth and gums. Smoking dries out your mouth also.
All of these suggestions are ways for you to improve the smell of your breath. You also need to visit your dentist regularly to make sure your bad breath is not caused by another health problem.