Bad breath, also called halitosis, is caused in most people by poor tongue hygiene, but it can also occur due to tooth decay, gingivitis or periodontitis, as well as stomach problems, sinusitis, sore throat or diseases such as diabetes, liver or kidney failure, for example.
Therefore, some ways to get rid of bad breath include drinking plenty of water throughout the day in small sips, as well as brushing your teeth after meals, flossing daily, brushing your tongue and visiting the dentist regularly.
However, even when oral hygiene measures do not improve bad breath, it is important to have an evaluation with a doctor or dentist to identify the cause and provide the most appropriate treatment.
Some tips to get rid of bad breath are:
1. Avoid going more than 3 hours without eating
Going more than 3 hours without eating is one of the causes of bad breath, because when the stomach is empty for a long time, there is an increased production of stomach acids and gases, which can rise to the mouth causing bad odor.
Furthermore, when going many hours without eating, the body can produce ketone bodies as a source of energy, from the breakdown of fat cells, which can contribute to bad breath.
Therefore, it is recommended to avoid going more than 3 or 4 hours without eating during the day, and to frequently eat easily digestible foods, such as raw salads, cooked vegetables and lean meats as they contain less fat and pass quickly through the stomach. For snacks, fruits and yogurt are the best, for example, and are also more easily digested.
2. Brush your teeth after meals
Brushing your teeth after meals is one of the best ways to end or prevent bad breath, as it prevents the accumulation of bacteria, the formation of tartar between the teeth and gums and tooth decay, which are causes of bad breath.
Therefore, it is recommended to brush your teeth about 30 minutes after meals as the saliva produced after eating helps control the pH of the mouth, acting as a natural antiseptic against some bacteria and maintaining the balance of teeth and gums.
After this period, you should brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste that has antibacterial properties. See how to brush your teeth correctly to get rid of bad breath.
3. Avoid foods that cause bad breath
One of the ways to get rid of bad breath is to avoid or eat in moderation foods that cause bad breath, especially raw broccoli, garlic or onion, as these foods, in addition to having a strong smell, contain sulfur and when digested they produce gases that They can be expelled through the mouth and cause bad breath.
In addition to avoiding frequent consumption of these foods, it is important to always brush your teeth and clean your mouth very well after eating, as this will make your breath fresher again. See the complete list of foods that cause gas and, therefore, also promote bad breath.
4. Drink water throughout the day
Drinking water throughout the day is another way to get rid of bad breath, as it helps keep your mucous membranes hydrated, your mouth moist and your breath fresh. Therefore, it is recommended to drink at least 2 liters of water a day in small sips, to stimulate saliva production and eliminate bad breath. In addition, you should avoid smoking, drinking coffee, soft drinks or alcoholic drinks, as they can make your mouth drier and cause bad breath.
For people who have difficulty drinking water, a good option is to add the juice of half a lemon to the water, as in addition to stimulating fluid intake, the acidity of the lemon naturally stimulates the production of saliva, helping to combat bad breath. Another option is to add sliced fruit to 1 liter of water, for example, to make it easier to consume 2 liters of water per day.
Another option to increase saliva production and get rid of bad breath is to chew gum, preferably sugar-free.
5. Floss
Flossing is important to remove excess food that may remain between your teeth after meals and prevent the formation of bacterial plaque and tartar that cause bad breath. Furthermore, floss can reach the spaces between teeth that toothbrushes cannot reach.
Therefore, it is recommended to floss before brushing your teeth, at least once a day to get rid of bad breath.
6. Brush your tongue
Another way to get rid of bad breath is to brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth, as bacteria, mucus and food debris can form a white layer on the tongue, called tongue coating, which causes bad breath.
To brush your tongue, you can use the same toothbrush that you use for brushing or use tongue scrapers, for example, pressing across the entire tongue, from back to front, to completely remove dirt from the tongue, and This way, you control bacteria on your tongue and put an end to bad breath.
7. Use mouthwash
Using mouthwash after brushing your teeth helps eliminate bacteria from your mouth that cause bad breath. The ideal is to use mouthwashes that do not contain alcohol, because alcohol dries out the mouth and promotes gentle peeling of the mucosa, favoring the proliferation of bacteria.
Mouthwashes can be purchased at pharmacies, drugstores and supermarkets or prepared at home with natural ingredients such as clove tea, which has antiseptic properties that clean the mouth and purify breath naturally. See other natural options to get rid of bad breath.
8. See the dentist regularly
Seeing the dentist regularly to assess the health of your teeth, whether there are cavities or gum problems, such as gingivitis or periodontitis, helps prevent bad breath and treat halitosis.
Therefore, it is recommended to visit the dentist at least once a year to clean your teeth, removing tartar, which is bacterial plaque accumulated on the teeth and which causes bad breath.
9. Clean dentures properly
Cleaning your dentures or dentures is also essential to get rid of bad breath, as it helps prevent the accumulation of dirt and the development of bacteria which, in addition to causing bad breath, can also result in problems such as gingivitis.
To clean dentures, there are specific products that can be used, such as Corega Tabs or Efferdent cleaning tablets, for example, found in pharmacies or drugstores.
These products can be used by adding a tablet to warm water, in a container containing the dentures, covering it completely, leaving it to act for about 3 to 5 minutes, or as specified by the manufacturer. See step by step how to clean dentures correctly.
10. Quit smoking
One of the causes of bad breath is smoking, which in addition to leaving the smell of tobacco in the mouth, also causes a decrease in saliva production, making the mouth very dry, leading to bad breath.
Therefore, the best way to get rid of bad breath is to stop smoking, adopting strategies such as doing pleasant activities that distract the mind, such as doing physical exercise, walking outdoors, going to the beach or gardening, for example, in addition to relaxation activities, such as meditation or yoga, that work on breathing and relieve anxiety. See other strategies for quitting smoking.
In addition, you can consult your general practitioner, who can recommend medications to stop smoking, such as bupropion or varenicline, for example. See the main remedies to stop smoking.
