#HealthBytes: How to get rid of bad breath naturally
If having bad breath has ever made you feel humiliated in a social setting, know that you're not alone. A whopping 25 to 30% of world's population suffers from halitosis. Bad breath may come from poor oral hygiene, smoking tobacco, or from consumption of certain food items, while occasionally, it may indicate a more serious health issue. Here's how you can get rid of bad breath.
Brush your teeth twice a day; use a dental floss
Brushing: Brush your teeth thoroughly for 2-3 minutes, two times a day, so as to eliminate plaque and food debris, thereby keeping risk of bad breath at bay. Floss: Brushing will clean your teeth surface, but to get the food debris out of the spaces between the teeth, use a dental floss (daily) to avoid bacteria build-up, thus kicking risk of bad breath.
Mind cleaning your tongue; use mouthwash
Tongue: Don't get duped into believing that teeth cleaning is all you need for good breath. So, invest in a tongue cleaner to remove germs and bacteria, to eventually score a healthy, refreshing breath. Mouthwash: Use a good-quality, natural mouthwash that will not only temporarily cover up you mouth's odor, but also kill the germs and bacteria, giving you long-term benefits.
Avoid smoking and other tobacco products; start chewing gum
Tobacco: In case you needed more motivation to quit tobacco, here's some- Smoking and consumption of other tobacco-containing products dry out your mouth, and leave an unfavorable smell, ultimately leading to bad breath. Chew Gum: Chewing on gums can help stimulate saliva flow, which is vital for flushing away food debris and germs, that may lead to smelly breath. However, prefer sugarless gums only.
Drink plenty of water; visit your dentist
Water: Drink plenty of water on a daily basis (8-12 glasses are recommended) to avoid accumulation of food particles and unwanted germs in your mouth. Sufficient water intake will eliminate them, thus helping you cure bad breath. Visit your dentist: If after fulfilling all measures on your part, bad breath still persists- visit your dentist to check for infections and other oral health issues.
