Bad Breath

Bad breath figures on most people’s list of what puts them off. You can have mint-fresh breath, if you follow these simple guidelines, by Dr. Nandita Grover, Honorary Consultant, Max Eye and Dental Care Centre, New Delhi.


There are several causes of bad breath like poor oral hygiene, smoking, alcohol, dehydration and serious conditions like gum disease and diabetes too. It’s definitely repulsive for the opposite person, if you have it.

• Increase your oral hygiene
Yes, the importance of brushing and flossing has been ingrained in our heads since we were toddlers. Yet, we fail to maintain proper oral hygiene. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day. Flossing is as important as brushing, as in removes the food particles and plaque stuck between the teeth.

• Don’t forget to clean that tongue!
We often forget to clean our tongue in our oral hygiene regimen. A clean tongue reduces bad breath by a whopping eighty five per cent. Use a tongue cleaner every morning, after brushing your teeth.

• Water therapy
There’s nothing like water when it comes to fixing bad breath. Lack of enough water dries the mouth which produces bacteria. So drink at least eight to ten glasses of water everyday. Not only does water improve your breath, but it also detoxifies your body and improves your skin.

• Stock up on the mint!
A mint or flavoured chewing gum is a fast fix for foul breath. Alternatively, chewing herbs like parsley and neem are also helpful in getting rid of the bacteria.

• Drink lots of tea
You would be surprised to know that drinking tea after a meal reduces bad breath. Try ginger or fennel tea. It works like a charm!

• Keep chewing
Not eating for long periods produces bacteria in the mouth. It is advisable to keep chewing something as and when possible.

How to test your breath

It becomes very embarrassing for us to ask someone else about our breath. But it can be done very simply. Just lick your wrist and let the saliva dry for a few seconds. The way it smells is how your breath smells to others. Another way is to scrape the back portion of your tongue using a spoon. Smell the whitish matter that accumulates on the spoon. That is how your breath smells.

No comments:

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...