Bad Breath or Halitosis simply means a smelly mouth. Halitosis is caused by a host of factors; from the food you eat, to the way you care for your mouth. Garlic, onion, alcohol and nicotine are examples of foods that can cause bad breath (temporarily). Other causes include poor oral hygiene, gum diseases, cavities, uncontrolled diabetes, dry mouth, sore throat, coated tongue, etc.
So how can you prevent or even cure bad breath? Well, you may find the following useful…
* Drink plenty of water and swish cool water around your mouth. This is especially helpful to freshen “morning breath.”
* Brush after every meal and floss, preferably twice a day.
* Replace your toothbrush every two to three months. This is because gems build up in toothbrushes over time.
* Arrange regular dental checkups and cleanings.
* Scrape your tongue each morning with a tongue scraper or spoon to decrease the bacteria, fungi, and dead cells that can cause odour. Hold the tip of the tongue with gauze to pull it forward in order to clean the back of the tongue.
* Chew a handful of cloves, fennel seeds, or aniseeds. Their antiseptic qualities help fight halitosis-causing bacteria.
* Chew a piece of lemon or orange rind for a mouth-freshening burst of flavor. (Wash the rind thoroughly first.) The citric acid will stimulate the salivary glands—and fight bad breath.
* Chew a fresh sprig of parsley, basil, mint, or cilantro. The chlorophyll in these green plants neutralises odour.
*Try a 30-second mouthwash rinse that is alcohol-free (unlike many off-the-shelf products). Mix a cup of hot water with a teaspoon of baking soda (which changes the pH level and fights odour in the mouth) and a few drops of antimicrobial peppermint essential oil. Don’t swallow it! (Yields several rinses.)
If you follow the aforementioned measures, you’re sure to have a better feeling and smelling breath.
Drama