Four Ways to Control Halitosis
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Four Ways to Control Halitosis
Dr. Hamid Nassery writes for the Miami Beach Dental Institute (http://www.miamibeachdentistry.com), where he also serves as a top Miami dentist. The Miami Beach Dental Institute (www.miamibeachdentistry.com) offers a wide range of services, from dental implants and whitening to cosmetic dentistry.
Bad breath, or halitosis, can be an embarrassing condition. Most people have suffered from halitosis at one point for reasons including smoking, diet, illness, or simply having a dry mouth. Controlling bad breath is relatively easy as long as you maintain good oral hygiene and watch what you eat, among other healthy practices.
Brush and Floss Regularly:
Food particles can get stuck between your teeth, and the longer they stay there, the more they rot. Rotten food that remains in your mouth can cause a strong, unpleasant odor, which is why brushing and flossing your teeth on a regular basis is important for maintaining fresh breath. Be sure to brush your tongue, also, as this will enable your fresh breath to last longer. Maintaining whole-mouth cleanliness is one of the most influential factors on your breath, and regular flossing and brushing are great ways to make sure you’re getting a good start to fresh breath in the morning.
Watch What You Eat:
Certain foods can literally cause the breath you exhale to have a strong odor. Garlic, onions, cheese, pastrami, orange juice and certain spices, for example, are absorbed into your bloodstream and carried into your lungs, causing your breath to give off a strong odor. This odor will not go away until the food is completely out of your system. Avoiding an excess of these foods can help control halitosis.
Drink Plenty of Water:
A dry mouth can cause halitosis. By drinking plenty of water throughout the day, you can keep your mouth moist and fresh. Saliva helps to wash away food particles and bacteria that may cause bad breath, so chewing gum or sucking on hard candy can stimulate saliva and also prevent bad breath.
Temporary Solutions:
If you have a meeting or interview and simply need a quick fix for bad breath, there are several temporary solutions. Chewing on fresh parsley, gum, or sucking on a mint candy can help freshen your breath temporarily. Talk to your dentist to find out which gum they recommend. With gum, you will have many options of flavors and strengths, and picking one that you enjoy will help you maintain fresh breath. Mouthwash is also a temporary fix for halitosis, and comes in a variety of scents and strengths as well.
When to See a Doctor:
If you cannot get rid of your bad breath, speak with your doctor. Halitosis can also be a symptom of certain illnesses or diseases, such as periodontal disease, bowel obstruction or kidney failure.
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