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Fighting bad breath
Bad breath...halitosis,
whatever you call it, it's something almost
all of us suffer from at some point in our
lives. So what causes this timeless turnoff,
and what can be done about it?
Infected gums
This can be one of the
most obvious causes of bad breath. To
get gums back into shape, brush thoroughly
and often with a soft-bristle brush, and
get into the habit of regular flossing.
Your dentist can advise you of the appropriate
treatment for all dental problems.
Dirty teeth
"There are more animals
living in the scum on a man's teeth,"
claimed a 17th-century scientist, "than
there are men in a whole kingdom." Whether
or not there is any truth in this, teeth
can certainly collect their fair share
of odor-producing debris. Best for keeping
oral bacteria to a minimum is frequent
brushing (with or without toothpaste)
or even just swishing the mouth with water.
A foul tongue
Many dentists believe
that keeping a clean tongue may be even
more effective at arresting offensive
breath than keeping teeth clean. Tongue-brushing
is something the ancient Romans did regularly;
Mohammed also encouraged his followers
to practice the custom. Brush very gently,
with a soft-bristle brush and keep away
from the very back of your tongue as this
may cause a gagging reaction.
An empty stomach
Yes, skipping meals can
cause foul breath as it reduces the production
of saliva needed to flush away bacteria
from teeth, tongue and gums. Stress can
also lead to a dry mouth, which can cause
double trouble when coupled with the increase
in stomach acid that stress can cause.
Chewing gum and lozenges can step up saliva
flow, as can between-meal snacks such
as fresh fruits and vegetables.
Smoking
Because it sours the mouth
and disrupts digestion, smoking has been
linked to bad breath for centuries. Chewing
tobacco can also foul the breath.
Overuse of mouthwashes
Ironic as it may
sound, mouthwashes may actually worsen
a bad breath problem by irritating oral
tissue, although it does mask bad odors
temporarily. For an emergency pick-up,
try a quick rinse with a mix of water
and a few drops of peppermint oil.
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