Bad breath is embarrassing. We may not realize that our mouth is full of halitosis until an outspoken friend, or worse, a person of the opposite sex we like or a lover tells us that our breath smells bad. Fortunately, there are several "breath tests" you can do yourself to find out what your breath smells like. These methods may not be able to tell you exactly what the other person smells like, but they can be used as a good indication.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Kissing the spit
Step 1. Lick the inside of your wrist
Wait 5-10 seconds for the saliva to dry. Try to do it discreetly when you're alone and not in public, or you'll get weird looks from people around you. Do not try this test right after brushing your teeth, using mouthwash, or eating something peppermint, as a fresh-tasting mouth can give inaccurate results.
Step 2. Kiss the inside of your wrist where your saliva dries
What you smell is more or less what your breath smells like. If it smells bad, you may need to improve your oral health. If you can't smell anything, your breath probably isn't too bad-but you may need another test to be sure.
- Keep in mind that this method essentially expels saliva from the tip (anterior part) of the tongue, which clears up on its own. So, all you'll know from kissing a licked wrist is that the tongue smells best-while most breath odors tend to come from the back of the mouth where the throat meets.
- You can wash off the spit on your wrist that you licked earlier, but don't worry if you don't have water or cleanser nearby, the smell will quickly dissipate once it dries.
- If your odor problem is relatively minor, it may not be as strong. If you're still worried, consider other testing methods to get some kind of "second opinion."
Step 3. Try wiping the back of the tongue
Use your finger or a piece of gauze to reach deep into your mouth-but not so far as to trigger the gag reflex-and wipe the surface of your tongue at the back of your mouth. All of the odor-causing bacteria lodged there will stick to the wipes you use. Sniff the swab (finger or gauze) to get an accurate sense of what it smells like at the back of your mouth.
- This method can reveal the smell of breath more precisely than just licking the wrist. Chronic halitosis is caused by bacteria that multiply on the tongue and between the teeth-and most of these bacteria collect at the back of the mouth. The tip of your tongue will clear on its own, and you're likely to clean the front of your mouth more regularly than the back.
- Gargle with an antibacterial mouthwash-to the front and back of your mouth-to prevent bacteria from hiding behind your tongue. If you can, tilt your head when you rinse your mouth to prevent bacteria from accumulating in the opening of your throat. When brushing your teeth, make sure you brush the farthest back of your teeth, and don't miss brushing your tongue and gums.
Method 2 of 4: Directly Smell the Breath
Step 1. Cover your mouth and nose with both hands
Cup your hands together so that they form a cone so that the air you exhale through your mouth doesn't spread anywhere except into your nose. Exhale slowly through your mouth, then quickly inhale the hot breath through your nose. If your breath smells bad, you'll be able to tell-but the exhaled air can spread quickly through the gaps between your fingers, leading to a proper diagnosis. of this method is quite difficult. However, it is one of the most subtle ways to check for bad breath in public.
Step 2. Exhale into a glass or plastic container
Take a deep breath, then hold the container so that it covers your life and mouth, leaving only minimal ventilation. Exhale slowly through your mouth, so that the container you are holding is filled with warm breath. Breathe in quickly and deeply through your nose-you should be able to smell your own breath.
- This step will likely be slightly more accurate than simply cupping your hands over your mouth and nose, but its accuracy will depend a lot on how tightly the glass or container you're using is locking your breath in it.
- You can try this method by using any container that can trap breath in the circuit between the nose and mouth, such as a small paper or plastic bag, a tight surgical mask, or another mask that traps air.
- Make sure the glass is washed before trying this method again. Wash with soap and water before storing or using it for other purposes.
Step 3. Get accurate results
Don't try these methods immediately after brushing, gargling with mouthwash, or eating something peppermint-scented. This can make your breath smell better, but the smell of your breath right after brushing your teeth isn't necessarily the same as your breath at other times. Try smelling your breath at different times-right after brushing your teeth, as well as at noon, when you see people the most-to better understand the difference. Keep in mind that your breath may smell better after eating spiced food.
Method 3 of 4: Ask Someone
Step 1. Consider asking a trusted friend or family member to see if your breath smells bad
You can try to smell your own breath, but you will only be able to predict what the other person is smelling. The best way to know for sure is to swallow your pride and ask, "Answer me honestly. Does my breath stink?"
- Choose someone you trust-someone who won't tell anyone, and someone who will give you honest answers. Ask a close friend who you know won't judge. Avoid asking questions of the opposite sex you like or your lover, as serious breath odors can drive him away. Don't ask strangers, unless you're desperate.
- It might be embarrassing at first, but you'll feel relieved when you get a trusted opinion on the matter. Better to hear it from a close friend than from the person who, say, you want to kiss.
Step 2. Be considerate of the person you are asking for help
Don't blow your breath in front of his face and say, "What does my breath smell like?" Ask gently, and ask first before implementing. If you've been in close contact with this person for a long time, he or she may have noticed that your breath smells bad, but is too polite to bring it up.
- Say, "I'm afraid my breath may smell bad, but I don't know for sure. This is embarrassing, did you notice anything?"
- Say, "This may sound weird, but does my breath stink? I'm taking Jenny to a movie tonight, and I'd rather deal with this breathing problem now than later when she notices."
Method 4 of 4: Coping With Bad Breath
Step 1. Determine if your breath smells only in the morning or is due to chronic halitosis
Check your breath in the morning, afternoon and evening, before and after brushing your teeth, and see if the smell persists. If you know what's causing your breath to smell bad, you can take steps to correct it.
- Bad breath in the morning is quite normal. You can fix this by brushing your teeth, using dental floss, and gargling with mouthwash right after getting up in the morning.
- Halitosis is a serious bacterial attack, but it is normal and curable. To fight halitosis, you must maintain good oral hygiene and deal with the bacteria that cause bad breath.
- The most common causes of bad breath are cavities, gum disease, poor oral and dental hygiene, and a white or yellow coated tongue which is usually caused by inflammation. If you can't figure out what's causing bad breath from examining your own mouth, your dentist can tell you.
- If someone tells you that your breath smells bad, don't be shy. Take it as constructive criticism
Step 2. Keep your teeth and mouth healthy
Brush your teeth more thoroughly, rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash, and floss between your teeth to prevent tartar and bacteria from building up in the area. Drink plenty of water and gargle lightly with cold water every morning to freshen your breath.
- Brushing your teeth before bed is very important. Perhaps you can add a baking soda brushing session after normal brushing to reduce the acidity in your mouth, making it harder for the bacteria that cause bad breath to grow.
- Use a tongue scraper (available at most pharmacies) to remove any food debris that may have formed between the taste buds and the folds of the tongue. If you don't have a tongue scraper, you can use a toothbrush to brush your tongue.
- Change your toothbrush every two to three months. The effectiveness of the bristles will decrease over time, and the toothbrush may accumulate bacteria. Change your toothbrush after you've recovered from an illness so there's no place for bacteria to hide.
Step 3. Eat foods that can keep your breath fresh and avoid foods that don't
Foods such as apples, ginger, fennel, berries, green leafy vegetables, cantaloupe, cinnamon, and green tea can help keep your breath fresh. Try to include some of the food ingredients above into your daily menu. At the same time, try to avoid or reduce foods that cause bad breath, some of which are onions, garlic, coffee, beer, sugar, and cheese.
Step 4. Consult your gastrointestinal health with your doctor
Poor digestive health can be the cause of bad breath. You may have an illness such as a peptic ulcer, H. pylori infection, or acid reflux. Doctors can help cure diseases like this and tell you how to maintain a healthy digestive tract.
Step 5. Keep your nasal passages healthy
Allergies, sinus infections, and postnasal drip can all cause bad breath. So, you should try your best to prevent and cure this disease. Keep your nasal passages clean and control your allergies before they get worse.
- Neti pots can help clear mucus buildup in the nose.
- Drinking warm water with lemon, using saline nasal drops, and taking vitamin C can help relieve nasal congestion.
- Follow the recommended dosage on the vitamin C package when you use it. Adults should not take more than 2000 mg of vitamin C per day.
Step 6. Live a healthy diet
In addition to eating foods that can keep your breath fresh, eating healthy foods in general can overcome bad breath. Reduce intake of processed foods, red meat, and cheese. Prioritize fiber-rich foods such as oatmeal, flaxseed, and kale.
You should also include probiotic-friendly foods in your daily menu such as unsweetened kefir, kimchi, and plain yogurt
Step 7. Neutralize your bad breath
Chew gum, eat breath mints, or apply a Listerine strip before a sensitive social situation. Later you may need to get to the root of the problem and get rid of bad breath, but in the meantime, there's nothing wrong with trying to make your breath smell better.
- Chew on a handful of cloves, fennel seeds, or anise seeds. The antiseptic properties of these ingredients help fight the bacteria that cause halitosis.
- Chew a piece of lemon or orange peel to give a refreshing taste in the mouth (wash the peel first). Citric acid will stimulate the salivary glands and fight bad breath.
- Chew sprigs of fresh parsley, basil, mint, or coriander. Chlorophyll in this green plant can neutralize odors.
Step 8. Avoid using tobacco products
If you need an additional reason to quit smoking, here's an easy one: smoking contributes to bad breath. Tobacco tends to dry out your mouth, and can leave a bad odor that lingers even after you brush your teeth.
Step 9. Discuss the matter with your dentist
Visit the dentist regularly to help keep your teeth and mouth healthy. If you have chronic bad breath, your dentist can treat dental and oral problems such as cavities, gum disease, and a yellow-coated tongue.
If your dentist believes that your bad breath problem is due to a systemic (internal) source such as an infection, he or she may refer you to a GP or specialist
Tips
- Always carry breath mints, gum or Listerine strips with you in an emergency. All of these will mask bad breath, but won't actually fight the bacteria causing it-so use it as a treatment, not a cure.
- One tablespoon of honey and cinnamon a day can help get rid of bad breath. Eating parsley can prevent your stomach from emitting a foul odor.
- Brush your teeth thoroughly, use dental floss and mouthwash to get a nice breath. After brushing your teeth, use a toothbrush to gently scrub the top surface of your tongue and roof of your mouth. Make sure you brush your tongue too.
- Brush your teeth thoroughly after every meal to remove food debris between your teeth.
Warning
- Try not to vomit. Don't reach so deep down your throat that you feel uncomfortable.
- Be careful not to bring foreign bacteria into the mouth. Make sure your fingers, gauze, glasses, and any utensils you use are clean if you bring them near or in your mouth. Unhealthy bacteria can make your bad breath problem worse.
