Various mints and mouth wash products are effective in containing halitosis temporarily. However, these products do not solve the condition entirely, and the breath continues to emit its foul odor as soon as the mint or mouth wash loses its effect. There is no cause for despair however, as halitosis is a curable condition.
Generally, treating the underlying condition helps in getting rid of the bad breath caused by it. In other cases, maintaining good dental hygiene will help you get rid of this problem effectively. Here are some of the main factors that cause a person to experience halitosis:
- Food and Drinks: Certain foods contain natural odors that cause halitosis. These include garlic, onions and vegetables containing ethereal oils. Food particles left in the mouth for a prolonged period of time also leads to this condition. Drinking alcoholic beverages dry out the mouth causing halitosis.
- Dry Mouth: The primary function of saliva is to keep our mouth clean and moist. In the absence of saliva dead cells accumulate on the gums, tongue and inside of the cheeks. Here they start to decompose giving out a foul odor. The mouth gets dry most often when we sleep; this is why we experience bad breath in the mornings generally. Smoking and certain medications can also cause a person’s mouth to become dry.
- Dental Problems: Dental problems like rotting teeth, dental cavities and gum problems can also cause halitosis.
The remedies for getting rid of halitosis are quite simple and effective. First and foremost, visit your dentist or family physician, who will determine the actual cause of your condition and treat you accordingly. Other than that you could:
- Brush your teeth twice a day, once in the morning and once in the night, rinsing your mouth with warm salt water thereafter. Salt water gargles will kill the bacteria and germs present in your mouth and stimulate your salivary glands to produce more saliva.
- Keep your tongue clean by brushing it gently with a tongue cleaner. This will ensure that there are no dead cells left to decompose on it.
- Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables instead of foods that contain fats as they are hard to digest, resulting in bad breath. Rinse your mouth thoroughly after each meal to ensure that no food particles are left to decompose in the mouth.
- Drink plenty of water, and chew on cumin seeds after meals in order to keep your breath fresh.
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