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Curing Bad Breath
How to cure bad breath
( 1 Oct 2009)
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Bad breath is probably the most common conditions and can be extremely embarrassing. Bad breath is referred to as halitosis in the medical field. The simplest and most effective way to combat the problem is through the maintenance of high levels of oral hygiene.
Improving the cleanliness and health of your mouth will help control the problem of bad breath.
A good oral hygiene routine would include brushing your teeth regularly; after meals or at least twice a day – before going to bed at night and on awaking. Try and make it a point to floss between the teeth as well on a daily basis. The main reason for the unpleasant odor is bacterial activity in the mouth, and the tongue is particularly vulnerable, which is why it is important to cleanse the tongue regularly by brushing or scraping it. Regular visits to the dentist are also important, whether or not you have any dental ailment. This helps to asses your oral health and diagnose any condition before it becomes problematic. Tooth decay, gum disease and cavities are some of the dental conditions that can cause halitosis. Increase your fluid intake, particularly the consumption of water, as dryness of the mouth is another major cause for bad breath as it allows for bacterial growth.
Dietary habits or lifestyle patterns can also interfere with your dental health and aggravate the problem. Avoid consuming foods that are high in sugar and most refined foods. Carbonated and aerated drinks can also contribute to the problem. Make sure that you never consume any such foods before bed time. If it does so happen that a desert makes for your last meal of the day, make sure that you cleanse your mouth thoroughly following the meal by brushing and using a mouthwash. Restrict foods that are known to contribute to unpleasant odor like onions and garlic. Alcohol consumption and smoking are two other habits that need to be eliminated as they are again a major cause for halitosis.
If you follow all of these recommendations you should be able to control and avoid the problem in the future. This will severely restrict the possibility of bad breath occurring but in the event that it does you may need medication. There are over the counter medications, but you could also try using some effective natural remedies. Home treatments for halitosis include the use of baking soda with hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash or chewing on sprigs of fresh mint, and brushing the teeth using baking soda.
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answered by S D on 1 Oct 2009, 12:44:38
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