A ‘simple’ test to find out if you have bad breath and tips on how to make it ‘fresh’
One “simple” test you can do to see if your breath smells is to lick the inside of your wrist and sniff it. Experts at the Oral Health Foundation note that if it smells bad, “you can be pretty sure” you have bad breath. While bad breath is a “common” problem, it can be a sign of a worsening gum disease.
This, or your mouth may be very dry (and therefore smelly) due to the medication you are taking.
Even advancing age can result in less saliva being produced in the mouth, leading to an excess buildup of bacteria in the mouth, leading to bad breath.
Experts say, “If you suffer from dry mouth, your dentist may recommend or prescribe an artificial saliva product.”
Medical conditions can also lead to bad breath, such as throat, nose, or lung infections.
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Bad breath can also be the result of sinusitis, bronchitis, diabetes, liver and/or kidney problems.
In addition to underlying health issues, lifestyle factors can contribute to bad breath.
Take strong-smelling foods like garlic and onions, for example, which can make people want to back off when they talk to you.
Tobacco smoking is another culprit for bad breath, but the only solution is to quit smoking completely.
“In addition to breath odor, smoking causes staining and loss of taste, and irritates the gums,” the experts add.
“People who smoke are more likely to develop gum disease and have a greater risk of developing oral cancer, lung cancer and heart disease.”
How to overcome bad breath
The first step in dealing with bad breath is to keep your mouth “clean and fresh.”
“To keep your breath fresh, you must get rid of any gum disease and keep your mouth clean and fresh,” experts emphasize.
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Good oral hygiene includes brushing your teeth and gums with fluoride toothpaste and brushing your tongue.
To prevent bad breath, this should be done once during the day and, again, the last thing you do at night, along with flossing.
Frequent dental check-ups are also of paramount importance so that more intensive cleaning can be carried out.
It is also recommended that you keep a food diary and write down all the medications you take.
Thus, if bad breath persists after careful oral hygiene, you may want to discuss your concerns with your dentist.
Dentures
Cleaning your dentures is just as important as brushing your teeth.
“You should have a separate toothbrush for cleaning dentures,” experts say.
At the same time as brushing, it is recommended to soak dentures in a special cleaning solution.
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