What Causes Bad Breath?
Transitory Bad Breath is usually caused by food that you eat such as garlic or onions.
Chronic Bad Breath is the long lasting type that makes people wince.
Bad breath is caused by bacteria building up in the mouth. The crevices in your tongue harbor a lot of bacteria and if not brushed or scraped properly, can become the source of very bad mouth odor.
If you have gingivitis or periodontal disease, you will harbor a lot more bacteria than usual. Bacteria constantly reproduces in your mouth and keeping it at bay requires diligence, the right tools and regular dental visits. Some people are more at risk for bad breath than others. Certain medicines can dry out your mouth. Since saliva keeps bacteria under control, in a dry mouth, bacteria reproduces much more quickly.
Smoking and alcohol can give you bad breath. Ironically, many commercial mouth rinses contain large amounts of alcohol, which dries out your mouth and causes bad breath! Make sure you read the label and use mouth wash that contains no alcohol.
How can you fix bad breath?
Practice Regular dental hygiene Brush your teeth twice a day, preferably three times a day, and floss, too! And don’t forget to scrape that tongue. That’s where most of the bacteria that cause bad breath live.
Drink plenty of water Throw back at least eight glasses of water a day. You can’t make saliva if you are not well hydrated. Cut down on coffee, which not only gives you “coffee breath” but stains your teeth as well.
Change your diet Some foods are tougher for your body to break down than others. Beans, onions and garlic produce gases that cause bad breath. Eat more fresh fruits and veggies. Carrots and apples naturally help to clean out your teeth and your breath.
Change your mouthwash Select an alcohol free mouthwash and use it regularly.