How to get rid of bad breath?

Bad breath can be as embarrassing as smelly armpits, if not more. Also referred to as halitosis, bad breath is generally described as ‘unpleasant odours’ that originate from the mouth and are exhaled while breathing.  It is a general misconception that eating certain foods causes halitosis. In fact, spicy foods containing copious amounts of garlic, onions, or even fish, meat, and cheese only alter the intensity of bad breath. Similarly drinking alcohol, smoking, as well as obesity are simply factors of bad breath. The real culprit that causes bad breath is the millions of bacteria that live in the mouth.

How to get rid of bad breath?
1. Mouth sprays, rinsing with mouthwash after meals, chewing gum, or sucking on mints for a period of time. However, these are only temporary bad breath remedies.
2.  Cleaning the tongue – The aim of this is to clear out halitosis-causing bacteria from the mouth by either brushing or swiping the tongue with either a toothbrush, tongue cleaner, or scraper.
3. Gargling – Gargling with mouthwash right before bed is a scientifically proven way of preventing bad breath for a number of hours, though this should not be done immediately after brushing as certain ingredients in the mouthwash could be inactivated by those in the toothpaste.
4. Gargle with diluted hydrogen peroxide – This should be done after the tongue-scraping routine. To make the mixture one should mix water with hydrogen peroxide then gargle for 45 seconds twice a day. The characteristics of this chemical help to kill the excess bacteria that leads to bad breath.
5. Do not forget to floss – Flossing is the most basic thing to remember for those people who want to have a good smelling breath. This is the only way to remove rotting food and other debris in between the teeth that cannot be reached by the regular toothbrush. Always remember a clean mouth leads to fresh breath.
6. Stay hydrated – It is important to maintain water levels in the body because water is the only way to flush out toxins. Toxins in the body are one of the causes of bad breath. The minimum amount of water should be taken is six to eight glasses a day.
7. Prevent Bad Breath by Visiting Your Dentist. Visit your dentist for regular check ups and cleanings. This is the best way to make sure that you are maintaining good oral hygiene.