"Bad breath is caused by oral bacteria that live in the mouth, feeding on residues and forming plaque." hehehe... Bad breath is a common health problem. It can be embarassing, too.
In most cases, those with bad breath are not aware they have this problem. Even their best friend and family members lack the courage to tell them about it for fear it would embarrass them.
To personally check if you have bad breath, lick the back of your hand, and smell the saliva. If it smells bad, then you have bad breath.
Bad breath may be caused by oral bacteria that live in the mouth, feeding on residues and forming plaque. They leave soft sticky deposits in the tongue and teeth. It may also be a result of cell decay.
CAUSES
Certain fats, particularly cheese, butter, whole milk, and other fatty meats that contain aromatic substances the body metabolizes and exhales are contributing factors. So are garlic, onions, coffee, and other spices. Some medicines for high blood pressure, diuretics, pain medications, and others can also bring about foul odor. Chronic conditions of the sinuses, mouth sores, stress, and hormonal disturbances may intensify bad breath, too. Tooth cavities and lung disorders, like bronchiectasis and emphysema, can also be sources.
GENERAL REMEDIES
* Increase water intake, especially for those taking medications. Drink one glass of water ery hour when awake.
* Brush teeth and tongue surface right after waking up and after every meal. Because the tongue is covered with microscopic hairlike projections that trap and harbor plaque food, brushing the surface will help minimize bad breath.
* Use baking soda toothpaste when saliva is too acidic. For gingivitis, one tablespoon of baking soda in a glass of water as mouthwash is a good remedy.
* Use the right mouthwash. Look for one that contains zinc. Zinc inhibits the production of sulfur compounds that causes bad breath.
* Do not eat or handle garlic and onions. Handling garlic and onions during food preparation can cause foul odors. Aromatic substances in garlic and onions enter the body through the pores of the skin and into the bloodstream. It then gets released in the lungs and exhaled through the mouth and nose.
DIETARY MANAGEMENT
- Eat citrus fruits like oranges and calamansi, grapes, and other fruits high in citric acid. The acid of the fruits helps suppress the activity of some drugs taken. The tangry taste of the fruits helps freshen the mouth.
- Eat breakfast regularly. Drink water after having a cup of coffee, softdrinks, and alcohol to get rid of the residue that causes plaque in the tongue and teeth. Give the tongue a quick wipe with a handkerchief or apiece of gauge to remove the white coating.
- Chew parsley, celery, oregano leaves, and young quava leave once or twice a day. These herbs release pleasant aromatic substances into the lungs that regresh the breath all day long.
- Chew anise seeds after meals to freshen the mouth.
- Limit fatty foods but increase vegetables in the diet.
- Drink a cup of peppermint, ginger tea, orange, or calamansi juice between meals.
If the cause is medical, like tooth cavities, sinusitis, mouth sores, and lung disorders medical consultation and treatment are necessary to resolve the problem of bad breath.
In most cases, those with bad breath are not aware they have this problem. Even their best friend and family members lack the courage to tell them about it for fear it would embarrass them.
To personally check if you have bad breath, lick the back of your hand, and smell the saliva. If it smells bad, then you have bad breath.
Bad breath may be caused by oral bacteria that live in the mouth, feeding on residues and forming plaque. They leave soft sticky deposits in the tongue and teeth. It may also be a result of cell decay.
CAUSES
Certain fats, particularly cheese, butter, whole milk, and other fatty meats that contain aromatic substances the body metabolizes and exhales are contributing factors. So are garlic, onions, coffee, and other spices. Some medicines for high blood pressure, diuretics, pain medications, and others can also bring about foul odor. Chronic conditions of the sinuses, mouth sores, stress, and hormonal disturbances may intensify bad breath, too. Tooth cavities and lung disorders, like bronchiectasis and emphysema, can also be sources.
GENERAL REMEDIES
* Increase water intake, especially for those taking medications. Drink one glass of water ery hour when awake.
* Brush teeth and tongue surface right after waking up and after every meal. Because the tongue is covered with microscopic hairlike projections that trap and harbor plaque food, brushing the surface will help minimize bad breath.
* Use baking soda toothpaste when saliva is too acidic. For gingivitis, one tablespoon of baking soda in a glass of water as mouthwash is a good remedy.
* Use the right mouthwash. Look for one that contains zinc. Zinc inhibits the production of sulfur compounds that causes bad breath.
* Do not eat or handle garlic and onions. Handling garlic and onions during food preparation can cause foul odors. Aromatic substances in garlic and onions enter the body through the pores of the skin and into the bloodstream. It then gets released in the lungs and exhaled through the mouth and nose.
DIETARY MANAGEMENT
- Eat citrus fruits like oranges and calamansi, grapes, and other fruits high in citric acid. The acid of the fruits helps suppress the activity of some drugs taken. The tangry taste of the fruits helps freshen the mouth.
- Eat breakfast regularly. Drink water after having a cup of coffee, softdrinks, and alcohol to get rid of the residue that causes plaque in the tongue and teeth. Give the tongue a quick wipe with a handkerchief or apiece of gauge to remove the white coating.
- Chew parsley, celery, oregano leaves, and young quava leave once or twice a day. These herbs release pleasant aromatic substances into the lungs that regresh the breath all day long.
- Chew anise seeds after meals to freshen the mouth.
- Limit fatty foods but increase vegetables in the diet.
- Drink a cup of peppermint, ginger tea, orange, or calamansi juice between meals.
If the cause is medical, like tooth cavities, sinusitis, mouth sores, and lung disorders medical consultation and treatment are necessary to resolve the problem of bad breath.
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