Floss once a day to remove any trapped food or plaque; this can reduce food for odor-causing bacteria. Drink plenty of water each day; dry mouth can quickly lead to foul breath. If you suffer from gastrointestinal issues, ginger, mint and some other herbs can help ease your troubles. Avoid using ANY tobacco products.
Poor dental hygiene.
If you don't brush and floss daily, food particles remain in your mouth, causing bad breath. A colorless, sticky film of bacteria (plaque) forms on your teeth. If not brushed away, plaque can irritate your gums and eventually form plaque-filled pockets between your teeth and gums (periodontitis).
Bad breath is caused by odor-producing bacteria that grow in the mouth. When you don't brush and floss regularly, bacteria accumulate on the bits of food left in your mouth and between your teeth. The sulfur compounds released by these bacteria make your breath smell.
Everyone gets bad breath from time to time — especially after eating garlic, onions or other strong foods. But bad breath that doesn't go away (chronic halitosis) could mean you have an oral health issue or a condition that's affecting another part of your body.
Your dentist will tell you that everyone has some degree of morning breath. The reason, when you are asleep, your mouth begins to dry out. As it dries, odor-causing bacteria begin to form. Saliva also decreases when you sleep causing your breath to be at its worst upon rising.
Green tea: The active ingredient in green tea that helps to mask bad breath is catechin, a powerful antioxidant that helps to fend off bacteria. Nuts: Nuts such as almonds work in much the same way as crunchy fruits and vegetables in that they help to stimulate the production of saliva.
Bad breath that just won't go away or a constant bad taste in your mouth can be a warning sign of advanced gum disease, which is caused by a sticky, cavity-causing bacteria called plaque.
Just remember, the odor from what you eat can stick around until the food works its way completely out of your system – up to 3 days later! Bad breath can be reduced or prevented if you: Brush and floss more often. Practice good oral hygiene.
It would be wise to use words like “off,” “sour,” or “noticeable” rather than “offensive” or “pungent.” Approach the person with a question, not a statement. Instead of telling them that they have a problem, start by asking if they have noticed any change in their breath or taste.
Parsley and mint leaves naturally freshen the breath. Take a couple of these in a sandwich bag so you can chew on them several times throughout the day. The mint leaves freshen the breath while increasing your daily greens intake.
Drinking water will help keep odor under control because it helps wash away food particles and bacteria, the primary cause of bad breath. If you have chronic dry mouth or take medications that cause you to have dry mouth, talk to your dentist about recommending an over-the-counter saliva substitute.
Lemons: Sucking on a lemon wedge or chewing a bit of lemon rind can help freshen breath. Adding lemon to your water can have the same effect. The Vitamin C in lemons also helps banish bad breath.
Try squeezing some lemon juice into a glass of water and drinking it first thing when you wake up. If you're out to eat, grab a lemon wedge to chew on, or stash an orange in your bag or at the office as an emergency breath-saving snack.
However, many people may be too embarrassed to ask a loved one if the problem needs to be addressed. Another possible reason is our natural inability to actually smell our own breath, caused by an opening in the back of the mouth behind the soft palate, called the pharynx, which connects it to the nose.
Gargle With Warm Salt Water
After finding out your mouth stinks, one of the quickest ways to get rid of bad breath is gargling with warm salt water. Mix ½ (half) teaspoon of salt to every 8 ounces of warm water and gargle for 30 to 40 seconds. Spit the warm salt water out and repeat the process 2-3 times.
Bad Breath and Relationships. Bad breath and relationships are similar to oil and water: they don't mix. Halitosis can put a severe strain on all types of relationships, be it social, personal or intimate. And bad breath can be a key factor when beginning a new relationship or keeping one going.
If you're worried you're one of these people, one trick is to lick your wrist, wait ten seconds, then sniff the patch you licked: If it smells, chances are, so does your breath. An even more reliable method, of course, is simply to ask someone.
Remember to brush, rinse and floss! Kissing is actually good for your teeth. The anticipation of a kiss increases the flow of saliva to your mouth and gives your teeth a plaque-dispersing bath. Bad breath can't be passed on to another person via kissing.
You could simply tell them that their breath is smelly, directly but politely. Bring up this sensitive topic with compassion and care, especially if it is someone close to you or you're worried about making them upset.
Is Bad Breath Contagious? You can't catch halitosis from another person but you can contract the bad bacteria that cause it from someone else. The bad bacteria can be passed by kissing, sharing utensils, sharing toothbrushes, and can even be transmitted to and from your pets!
If you want to be direct, you can do so in a few different ways. You could simply tell them directly to their face, which is okay if there are no other bystanders or friends around to judge and make jokes. Another way to tell them directly would be to send a simple text message.