We all have experienced that awkward moment when we realize our breath is not so fresh. Bad breath isn’t just socially awkward; it could also be an indicator of poor health. For our latest Wellness Wealth, we’re digging deep into our tin of mints to give you some fresh insight into the perils of bad breath.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Bad breath is often a warning sign that you may need to step up your dental hygiene game. Food stuck in your teeth can rot, which can lead to some unsightly odors. Gum disease can also be a cause of halitosis (the medical term for bad breath). In addition to regularly brushing and flossing to flush out any food bits stowing away in your teeth, you should also take the time to clean your tongue. Bacteria can settle on the surface of your tongue and fester over time, which (you guessed) leads to some hair-raising breath. Incorporate using your toothbrush on your tongue, brushing gently across the length of your tongue from tip to the edge of your back-teeth.
Dry Mouth
Do you drink enough water? Experience frequent dehydration? A major cause of bad breath is dry mouth. Saliva plays a critical role in maintaining your oral health because it rinses out your breath, helping to flush out bacteria and food particles. When you have dry mouth, your salvia production is out of whack. This is part of the reason why mints are so good at freshening up your breath because mints stimulate saliva production.
While drinking plenty of water every day can mitigate most dry mouth issues, there are a few other options you can pursue to keep the saliva flowing and the bad breath at bay:
- Spray the inside of your mouth with water (add in a few drops of aloe or glycerin to increase this mist's effectiveness)
- Chew sugarless candy or gum
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine (and make sure you use an alcohol-free mouthwash)
Your Diet
Unless you’re a vampire, you probably have some garlic in your diet. Garlic can confer some major health benefits with one downside: garlic breath! Garlic, onions, and spices like curry or cumin can make your breath not-so-fresh. Spicy foods can often be a breath-killer. Sugary drinks like sodas can also be a contributor to bad breath as they can dehydrate while also worsening your oral health with their acidic content.
There are some “good” foods who can help fight the good fight against halitosis. Eating raw, crunchy vegetables like bell peppers can help loosen trapped food particles. Studies have found that eating yogurt can help reduce bad breath, especially fortified yogurt due to its high vitamin D content. Herbs like anise, cloves, fennel, and parsley can also freshen up your breath. Fruits high in vitamin C are also good at cutting down bad breath bacteria.
Tobacco
Are you a smoker? If so, you are probably well-acquainted with the bad breath that smoking can cause. It isn’t just cigarettes: cigars, vapes, and chewing tobacco can also cause bad breath. Smoking dries out your mouth while putting you at risk for oral health diseases like periodontitis. If you smoke, make staying hydrated a priority.
Want some extra TLC for your dental health? Visit Rio Salado's Dental Clinic. Rio Salado College's Dental Clinic provides community members with quality preventive dental hygiene services while also giving students hands-on practical experience.
Article by Austin Brietta