Get rid of bad breath forever. Here’s how…
Maintain good hygiene
Floss to remove any food leftovers and brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day. Gently brush your gums, tongue, and the inside of your cheeks too, as bacteria is likely to store up in these areas. Using a fluoride toothpaste and an antibacterial mouthwash are additional steps to keep bad breath away.
Drink lots of water
Saliva is responsible for removing the bacteria that causes bad breath, but when we sleep that saliva production decreases. It’s so important to hydrate yourself before you go to bed and as soon as you wake up. Avoiding alcohol is also a good idea, as this can increase the bad bacteria in our mouths and reduce saliva production.
Ditch strong-smelling foods
Eating strong-smelling foods like onion and garlic in the evenings can cause bad breath. Stick to fibre-rich, crunchy foods like apples, as they increase saliva production, helping to cleanse your mouth of additional food particles that cling on between meals. Apples also help to remove a build-up of plaque and fight bacteria — both of which are commonly known to cause bad breath.
Choose calcium-rich yogurt
Yogurt contains a healthy bacteria called lactobacillus, which helps to balance out the bacteria in your gut. This, paired with the probiotics found in yogurts, will help to reduce bad breath. Opt for plain, fat-free yogurt to reap the rewards.
Eat oranges
Oranges promote dental hygiene as they’re rich in vitamin C, which helps to increase saliva production and eliminate bad breath.
● Tips from Dr Khaled Kasem, chief orthodontist at Impress (smile2impress.com).