5 Secrets to Banish Bad Breath

Ever been at an event, meeting, function, party, get-together, or worse…..on a date…..where you’ve been afraid to talk because you were worried about your breath?

Does the mere thought of someone turning away from you because of your foul smelling breath leave you mortified?

If you answered yes, I’ve got some juicy secrets on how to avoid this more-common-than-you-think social faux pas…..so people won’t avoid you like the plague.

Certain foods and drinks can cause smelly breath. While unpleasant, this is temporary and will be gone once your body naturally cleans itself out. On the other hand, persistent bad breath, also known as halitosis, can be a bigger beast to battle.

First, let’s find out how your breath is doing. Does it smell like a bed of roses or does it have tinges of sewer fumes?

Do the Lick Test:

• Lick the inside of your wrist
• Wait a couple seconds for the saliva to dry
• Then smell the licked part of your wrist
• If it smells bad, then your breath probably smells bad. If you don’t smell anything, your breath is probably fine.

Mints and gum can offer a band-aid solution by masking the smell, but it doesn’t tackle the underlying problem!

 Here are 5 secrets to banishing bad breath once and for all.

 

1.    Brush your teeth properly

Yes! You can do it wrong! Make sure you are using the right technique and brush for at least 2 minutes using an electric toothbrush to gently remove plaque from the gum line and hard to reach spots. And of course, don’t forget to floss!

2.    Gargle oil

AKA Oil Pulling. This ayurvedic practice involves swishing oil around in your mouth and does wonders for your oral health. The pushing and pulling of oil in your mouth removes plaque and odor causing bacteria. My dentist and hygienist are amazed at how clean my teeth are every time I visit….and that’s usually only once a year.

3.    Clean your tongue

60% of bad breath is caused by plaque buildup on the tongue, especially toward the back where it’s hard to reach with a toothbrush. Use a tongue scraper first thing in the morning on an empty stomach + before bed to get rid of bacteria, food debris, toxins and dead cells on the surface of the tongue.

4.    Be BFF’s with H20

Drinking water helps flush out bacteria and bits of leftover food in your mouth. It also promotes the production of saliva, which acts as a natural cleaning agent. Make sure you drink half of your body weight in ounces every day (ie. If you weigh 120 lbs., your body needs 60 oz. of water). Add some lemon to your water for additional detox benefits and to jumpstart your digestion.

5.    Fall in love with your probiotic

Halitosis can be a sign of bigger internal issues. This may sound really gross, but poor digestion, constipation, or bowel disorders may create gas which exits through your mouth. Taking a quality probiotic can help to strengthen your gastrointestinal system and flush out toxins that produce the foul smelling gases.

Now what if you’re not the one with bad breath….but a close friend/significant other you don’t have the heart to tell? Share this post with them, and suggest trying these tricks together!