| Bad breath is mostly caused by odour forming | | | | know how to use this then your dentist can show |
| bacteria in the mouth, and these bacteria are present | | | | you. |
| in large quantities in the sticky film of plaque that | | | | Simple home remedies that help freshen breath are: |
| coats our teeth. These bacteria are mainly long, | | | | · Chewing parsley or mint leaves |
| filamentous types that mesh together to form a | | | | · Gargling with baking soda dissolved in warm water. |
| tangle of bacteria within their own foodstuff, the | | | | · Brushing the back of the tongue and then cleaning |
| residues of our food mixed with saliva. Among the | | | | the brush with antiseptic. |
| substances produced by these bacteria are sulphur | | | | · After meals chewing some sunflower seeds and |
| compounds that are unpleasant smelling. Bacteria can | | | | then drinking a glass of water. |
| also live in large numbers on the tongue and | | | | · Chewing sugar-free gum, as it helps remove food |
| contribute in a similar way to bad breath. | | | | particles in the mouth and sweetens the breath. |
| This scenario of a constant build up of bacteria in | | | | · Eating natural or Greek yoghurt, as it helps to |
| plaque can be overlaid by other factors that can | | | | establish "friendly" bacteria. |
| cause bad breath, such as: gum disease, dental | | | | · Drinking pineapple juice has an immediate |
| decay, accumulation of bits of food between teeth, | | | | swamping effect on a foul mouth |
| throat infection, sinus infection, post-nasal drip, | | | | · Eating apples daily helps to clean teeth and |
| stomach infection, and eating certain foods like garlic, | | | | remove plaque. |
| onions or strong cheeses. | | | | · Using a mouthwash containing zinc, or eating foods |
| The most important home remedy for bad breath is | | | | rich in zinc, help combat anaerobic bacteria which are |
| proper and careful cleaning of one's teeth, twice a | | | | often responsible for the worst smells. |
| day, for each and every day. Thorough removal of all | | | | · Using a mouthwash of diluted hydrogen peroxide |
| the plaque on the teeth twice a day helps to keep | | | | also helps kill anaerobic bacteria. |
| bacterial numbers down to a level where they cannot | | | | · Drinking tea made from fenugreek can be helpful. |
| produce enough unpleasant smells to be a nuisance. | | | | The tea is made by simmering a teaspoon of the |
| The body's saliva production helps too by fighting | | | | seeds in half a litre of water for fifteen minutes and |
| bacteria in the mouth, so it's a good idea to drink | | | | then straining before drinking. |
| plenty of water during the day to keep the mouth | | | | · The use of a water-pik is helpful for many, |
| moist. Too much alcohol and some medical conditions | | | | particularly those who find flossing difficult to master. |
| can have the effect of drying out the mouth allowing | | | | A water-pik is a device that pulses a jet of water |
| unfriendly bacteria to flourish and cause bad breath. | | | | between the teeth and helps flush out food debris. It |
| Thorough cleaning of the teeth requires special | | | | is also good for cleaning around and under fixed |
| attention to be given when brushing to the base of | | | | bridgework, which can otherwise be difficult to clean. |
| the teeth right next to the gum, as this is an area | | | | The best way to avoid bad breath is to clean your |
| that's easy to miss. The spaces between your teeth | | | | teeth thoroughly on a regular basis and keep off |
| need to be cleaned out daily too, and for that you | | | | foods that you know to cause problems. |
| will probably need to use dental floss. If you don't | | | | |