How to treat Bad Breath

Bad breath is a very common and many times an embarrassing problem. Bad breath is one of those things that somehow do not fall under natural causes. It is also something that gives an impression of bad personal hygiene. People find it difficult to control their reaction to the bad breath of another person. Getting rid of this problem can literally mean an improvement in our self-image, how we feel about ourselves, can improve our relationships with our family, friends, and other loved ones, and can have a very positive impact in our careers and social life.

How to get rid of bad breath is something that can be very embarrassing to admit, but is very important. However there are a few simple steps that can be taken to counter bad breath effectively.

Scrape the tongue and clean the teeth

The most common cause of bad breath is the bacteria that fester and multiply on the food particles that are stuck between your teeth. With a lot of meat or protein foods in general the problem gets aggravated. However, people who are used to or follow a diet that is rich in fresh fruits and vegetables are a better off, as fruit diet is conducive for good breath.
Another big reason for bad breath is the presence of bacteria on the tongue. If your tongue shows a white layer instead of a healthy pink then you can be sure that there is a bacteria problem. The bacteria that hang around between our teeth slip on to the tongue. Therefore, you must clean your tongue on a regular basis with a tongue cleaner. This can put an end to your question on how to get rid of bad breath. Use a soft toothbrush or a tongue scraper (many toothbrushes have tongue scrapers incorporated). Scrape gently with plenty of rinsing to get that white layer off and rid yourself of oral bacteria.

Gargling

Once you have scraped off all the bacteria you should gargle using diluted hydrogen peroxide. Try to gargle for at least fifty seconds. Hydrogen peroxide creates a lot of foam, do not spit it out. The foam is essential for killing the bacteria. Note that it is not advisable to use hydrogen peroxide more than twice a day (and in diluted form only). To be careful use it twice a week. Hydrogen peroxide is corrosive and can eat into the enamel of your teeth.

Eat better

All foods undergo chemical reactions when they are being digested and they all emit some sort of gas in the process. These gases need to escape from your body and they can do so using various openings. Pores in the skin, flatulence, or through exhalation. What this means is that your mouth will mostly smell of what you eat. To overcome the smell of strong foods use countering elements like peppermint tea, Moroccan mint, jasmine, hibiscus, and lemon balm. When using any of these substances do not add sugar as it encourages the growth of bacteria. Also include fresh foods like ginger, parsley, cilantro, and scallion to your regular meals. Make certain that these additives are not cooked with the food but added separately in their raw state. When you eat them raw they help to maintain a balance in colon bacteria.

Colon cleansing

The colon is attached to the mouth although it is quite far away. If it is not properly cleansed then it makes an ideal place for bacteria to breed and cause bad breath. Bran is one edible substance that can help cleanse the colon. A clean colon can result in non-smelling gaseous emissions from all body openings. If necessary try a herbal laxative. Do not take over the counter drugs for bowel movements without consulting your doctor. When taken without real need, laxatives can weaken the colon.

Lastly, make sure you do not have a fungal infection. Even if you don’t think you have such an infection a simple home test can help you make certain. Spit into and empty glass or dish and leave this to set for a twenty-four hours. If, at the end of that period, you see a stringy substance left behind after water evaporation then it means a fungal infection.

Just take a few precautions and you do not have to put up with bad breath.