In today’s society, we are constantly having to bob and weave through the many layers of social standards that are ever changing. Some of these standards, like certain beauty standards, seem to ask a little too much of the members of our society. However, there are some social agreements that we seem to automatically adhere to when we decide to include ourselves in the voluntary aspects of that society. One of those social agreements is not having terrible breath.
I know, I know. How dare I call out a biological occurrence that we might have little control over. I know that it might seem shallow, but identifying the root of your bad breath might actual address potentially serious health problems. Not only do most people want to interact with others without having to feel embarrassed, but we should all want to be aware of something that could help us be more aware of our personal health.
Causes of Bad Breath
One of the biggest causes of bad breath is bacteria. This can be a result of so many different things, but commonly, this bacteria is a result of food particles left in and around your teeth causing a bad odor. Thoroughly rinsing your mouth out after meals might be a simple solution to this. Some foods are so pungent that, after digestion, these foods find their way into your lungs through the blood stream causing bad breath. The typical food culprits of this symptom is usually really spicy foods, onions, and garlic.
Maintain an Oral Care Routine
It’s possible that your routine for taking care of your teeth and gums might not be as thorough as it needs to be. You should be brushing your teeth for 2-3 minutes twice a day. It’s easy to accidentally spend less than 2 minutes when you are trying to get ready in the morning or when you are finally getting into bed, but 2 minutes is an absolute minimum. Some electric toothbrushes even have built in timers to let you know when to switch sides, and this investment has helped a lot of people be thorough in their brushing time. Flossing seems to be a lost art in the oral care business, but it is so important for a quality cleanse, as it gets out odor causing food debris that a toothbrush might not be able to get. Also, do not forget to include your tongue in this cleaning process either!
Tobacco
It is so hard to kick a tobacco addiction, but tobacco products have a huge effect on your breath. Tobacco dries your mouth out, and with less liquid to wash out bacteria and food products, it is left to stink up your breath.
Ask a Dentist
If these natural approaches do not help with your breath, it is imperative that you schedule an appointment to get a closer look at the problem. A dentist will be able to look at any potential or underlying infection that might be causing the odor, and they can refer you to a physician or specialist to address any internal infections that might be the cause. If it has been more than a year since your last appointment, it is definitely time to come in and get a check up!
