Thursday, September 10, 2009

Treat Bad Breath

Treat Bad Breath


Do people turn away when you talk to them? Do you seem to be offered an excessive amount of mints? The main cause of bad breath (halitosis) is a buildup of food particles in the mouth and the bacteria that result.


Instructions








1. Visit your dentist at least every six months for cleanings and checkups to keep your mouth free of plaque buildup and other problems that may lead to bad breath.


2. Watch your consumption of foods such as alcohol, coffee (both caffeinated and decaffeinated), dense proteins (such as those found in dairy and meat products), garlic and onions, and sugars. These are all bad-breath offenders.


3. Try to breathe through your nose. Breathing through your mouth can lead to having a dry mouth, which creates a breeding ground for odor-causing bacteria.


4. Keep a regular log of your eating habits and medications, as these can cause bad breath. Share the log with your dentist.








5. Brush your teeth and tongue twice a day to remove food particles and plaque, and floss between teeth once a day, preferably in the evening after you eat.


6. Try using a fluoride mouth rinse with antiseptic ingredients and a pleasant mint flavor. This helps to protect your teeth, and the flavor masks odor problems.


7. Consider internal breath fresheners'such as over-the-counter pills you take before or after a meal to aid the prevention of malodorous breath'or go the natural route and munch on some parsley after a meal.

Tags: after meal, cause breath, food particles, through your, Treat Breath, your dentist