No one wants to be known as having bad breath. Luckily you can do a lot of things to get rid of bad breath. If you have tried various methods but to no avail, go to the doctor to get checked out if there are certain health conditions that are making your breath smell bad.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Assessing the Odor of Your Own Breath
Step 1. Smell your own breath
Because you are used to it, you will find it difficult to judge the smell of your breath on your own. This is the same as body odor that is not realized by the person concerned. However, the methods below will work if your breath smells really bad:
- Cup your hands to cover your mouth and nose.
- Exhale into your hands through your mouth and inhale through your nose.
- If your breath smells very bad, you may smell it.
Step 2. Do a lick test
This method can be used to find out if your dry saliva smells bad.
- Lick the inside of the wrist.
- Let your saliva dry. This only takes a few seconds.
- Go somewhere where there's not much wind and smell the saliva on your wrists that have dried.
- If the saliva on your wrist smells bad, your breath is the same.
Step 3. Ask a trusted family member or friend
This is probably the most objective way of finding out the answer, as long as he is completely honest about telling the truth.
Other people can better assess the smell of your breath because they are not used to it
Method 2 of 4: Coping with Bad Breath with Food
Step 1. Improve your diet to reduce bad breath
Some foods cause strong and often unpleasant odors. Some foods to avoid include:
- Garlic
- Shallots, especially raw shallots
- Spicy food
- Cabbage
- Coffee
- Alcoholic beverages
- Soda
- Sticky sweet foods that can increase the growth of bacteria
- High dose vitamin supplements
Step 2. Cover bad breath by chewing parsley or mint leaves
This can mask bad breath.
- You can also use strong mint tablets and sprays that you can buy without a prescription at drug stores.
- If you are using mint or parsley, choose fresh leaves. Dried leaves are not strong enough.
Step 3. Eat crunchy vegetables and fruits
Besides being good for the body, these foods also help clean your teeth when you eat them. Some good options include:
- Apple
- Celery
- Carrot
Step 4. Drink lots of water
Water can treat dry mouth (which can cause bad breath) and wash your mouth. Water helps prevent food particles from getting trapped between the teeth, which can lead to the growth of bacteria.
- Increase your water intake if your mouth is dry. The amount of water that each person needs will vary depending on their body size, the climate in which they live, and their level of activity.
- If you rarely urinate or your urine is dark or cloudy, you may be dehydrated. Increase your water intake.
Step 5. Meet the daily fiber intake to help improve the digestive system
Fiber can help smooth the digestive tract and can help overcome bad breath. Monitor your daily fiber intake to meet recommended targets. Make sure you consume 25-30 grams of fiber each day..
High-fiber foods include whole grains, vegetables, legumes, and vegetables with carbohydrates
Step 6. Chew gum after eating
This will stimulate the body to produce saliva and help remove and wash off food debris.
Choose sugar-free gum because it won't damage your teeth, which can cause bad breath
Step 7. Don't go on a crash diet (a strict diet that eliminates certain nutrients)
Many low-carb diets force the body to break down fat. When this happens, the body will produce ketones with a strong odor. An extreme diet will produce a more pungent odor.
If you want to go on a diet but don't want your breath to smell bad, talk to your doctor or a dietitian to come up with a plan that can help you lose weight and prevent bad breath
Method 3 of 4: Get Rid of Bad Breath by Keeping Your Teeth Clean
Step 1. Brush your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day
To prevent tooth decay, use toothpaste that contains fluoride. Brush your teeth for at least two minutes so that your teeth are really clean.
- Change your toothbrush every three months. If it has been used for a long time, the bristles will bend and become ineffective.
- If you're afraid of the buildup of bacteria that causes bad breath during the day, take a toothbrush to work or school and brush your teeth after lunch.
- You can also use antibacterial toothpaste.
Step 2. Use dental floss to clean between your teeth
Flossing can remove plaque, food particles, and bacteria that are trapped there. When bacteria break down food particles left in the mouth, this can sometimes produce an unpleasant odor.
Use dental floss at least once a day. If you're not used to flossing, your gums may bleed the first time you do it. However, you can do it without bleeding after a few days of using it
Step 3. Clean the tongue with the tool every day
The accumulation of food residue on the tongue can also exacerbate bad breath. You can use a tongue cleaner to get rid of it. Position this tool on the back of the tongue and then pull it forward, towards the tip of the tongue. The accumulation of food residue on the tongue will be pushed forward and lifted from the tongue with the tool.
Look for a tongue cleaner at a local pharmacy or online store
Step 4. Try oil pulling with coconut oil every day to prevent bad breath
Oil pulling can help maintain oral hygiene as well as freshen breath. Put 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil in your mouth. Then gargle for 20 minutes with coconut oil. Drain the coconut oil in the sink then rinse your mouth with water.
- Do not swallow the oil.
- If 20 minutes of gargling is too long for you, try reducing the duration to 10-15 minutes.
Step 5. Use an antibacterial and anti-odor mouthwash or saline solution to reduce bacteria
This can be done to complement the toothbrush, but should not be used in place of the toothbrush.
- Make a brine solution by dissolving 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt in one cup of water. Maybe you don't have to spend it all.
- Some strong saline solutions and mouthwashes can have an unpleasant taste. If this is okay with you, gargle with this saline solution and mouthwash for two minutes.
- Then rinse your mouth for about 30 seconds to a minute. Spit the solution, do not swallow it. Rinse your mouth with plain water.
- Mouthwash comes in a variety of flavors, including mint flavor, which can make your breath smell nice and fresh.
Step 6. Remove bacteria from the tongue by brushing or scraping the tongue
A tongue with a rough texture is an ideal hiding place for small food particles that serve as a breeding ground for bacteria.
- Scrape your tongue from back to front gently and thoroughly. Don't scrape too deep as this can make you vomit. And don't press too hard because it can make your tongue hurt and irritated.
- This can be done with a tongue scraper or a rough pad that is sometimes placed on the back of a toothbrush. This will loosen bacteria, dead cells, and food particles that cause bad breath.
- Use toothpaste to give it a good taste and freshen breath. When you're done, rinse your mouth thoroughly and spit out anything you just cleaned.
Step 7. Rub your tongue using natural remedies
Although it has not been scientifically tested, there is some evidence to suggest that this method works.
- Brush your tongue with a paste of lemon juice and turmeric using a toothbrush. Mix turmeric with 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice to form a paste. Both of these ingredients have antibacterial properties.
- Brush your tongue using a paste of lemon juice and baking soda. Mix baking soda with 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice until it forms a thick consistency. This mixture can kill bacteria and remove dead cells and food particles that stick to the tongue.
- Don't do it more than once a day.
Step 8. Clean your dentures every day if you use them
Dentures also have surfaces that can trap food particles and harbor bacteria. Clean your dentures by doing regular maintenance:
- Use soap and warm water, denture cream, or denture tablets to clean them. The use of toothpaste is not recommended because it can damage the dentures.
- Follow the instructions from your doctor or manufacturer to clean your dentures.
Step 9. Quit smoking
In addition to producing odors that can irritate others, smoking also lowers the immune system, making you more susceptible to gum infections. Bacteria that thrive will often produce an unpleasant odor. If you want to quit smoking, do the following:
- Consult a doctor
- Visit a counselor
- Join a support group
- Use drugs
- Avoid places where you usually smoke
- Use alternative methods to manage stress, such as relaxation techniques and exercise
Method 4 of 4: Getting Treatment
Step 1. Go to the dentist if dietary changes and improved dental hygiene don't help
Dental cleanings performed by a doctor will remove hardened plaque and bacteria that are difficult to remove with a toothbrush and dental floss. Dentists can also tell if bad breath is caused by an underlying dental problem. Some of the dental problems that can be the cause include:
- Swollen teeth
- Cavity
- Gum disease
- Teeth hurt
- Periodontal disease
- Sprue
Step 2. Go to a GP if the dentist recommends it
If your dentist thinks that your bad breath is caused by a health condition unrelated to your oral health, you may be referred to a doctor. Your doctor will check for a variety of different conditions that can cause bad breath, including:
- Infection or purulent swelling of the lungs
- Postnasal drip (excessive mucus production behind the nose and throat) and inflammation of the sinuses, nose, or throat
- Chronic kidney failure, resulting in a fishy or urine-like odor
- Diabetes, which can give off a fruity odor linked to ketoacidosis
- Gastrojejunocolic fistula that smells like fruit
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Certain cancers, such as stomach cancer and lung cancer
Step 3. Ask your doctor if the medications you are taking are causing bad breath
Some medications cause dry mouth, and others can produce chemicals that give off an unpleasant odor when the body metabolizes. If you think these drugs are the source of your problem, do not stop using them without consulting your doctor first. Doctors can replace it with other drugs that do not cause bad breath. Some medicines that can cause bad breath include:
- insulin injection
- Triamterene (eg brand Dyrenium)
- Some drugs to treat seizure disorders, anxiety, alcohol dependence, and mental disorders
- Nitrates used to treat chest pain
- Some chemotherapy drugs
- Some sedatives
