7 Tips To Prevent Bad Breath (Halitosis)

Bad breath (Halitosis) may be caused by poor mouth hygiene, throat infection, teeth and gim decay, excessive smoking or the presence of bacteria in the mouth.

The following helpful suggestions may help prevent bad breath (Halitosis):

Acidophilus
Bad breath (halitosis) is often associated with putrefactive bacteria living on un-digested food in the stomach. This condition causes gas to be released through the breath. Supplementing the diet with the friendly bacteria Lactobacillus Acidophilus often helps.

Acidophilus can be found in yoghurt or capsule or milk form. These are available in most stores.

Brushing Your Tongue
Dr John Toncetich from the School of Dentistry, University of British Columbia in Vacouver, Canada, performed a study to find out the best way to reduce bad breath. 8 volunteers, all of whom suffered from morning bad breath, participated in the study. The doctor found that brushing teeth reduced mouth odour by about 25%. Brushing the teeth and the tongue reduced mouth odour by 85%.

This study was published in journal call Oral Surgery.

Mouth Washes
Most contain high concetrations of alcohol. The alcohol kills bacteria in the mouth but only temporarily. When the bacteria return, more come back than before you used the mouth wash. Many dentists believe the alcohol-laced mouth wash can damage the tissue in the mouth, cause inflammation and result in bad breath (Halitosis).

Avoid Galic, Onions, Fish and Alcohol
They contain compounds that produce excessive odour when dissolved in the mouth.

Eat Parsley
It contains chlorophyll which absorbs mouth odour when chewed.

Go for Citrus as well as Mint Flavours
Citrus flovoured drinks and sweets stimulates salivation and activate the mouth's self-cleaning process.

Try Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
According to Dr Dan Watt, DDS, of the International Dental Health Foundation, a good way to freshen bad breath (Halitosis) is to brush once a day (preferably before bed) with home-made toothpaste made of one teaspoonful of baking soda and a capful of hydrogen peroxide. The baking soda is an abrasive which removes the bacteria and also kills it, while the hydorgen peroxide produces oxygen bubbles which also destroys the germs.


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