Halitosis is the medical term most used to describe bad breath. The condition causes the production of a type of bacteria that live in your mouth, and this bacteria is what causes the odor you and others smell. Usually, you can do a scraping at the back section of your tongue with a sanitized plastic knife to see if it is the condition you are suffering. If the scraping smells foul, then you have the condition.
Halitosis is caused for many reasons. Amazingly, one of the most prevalent causes is the excessive use of alcohol-based mouthwash, such as Listerine. So, if you use this product, it's probably best to stop using it, or at least, don't use it before you go to bed, as the alcohol dries out your mouth and hastens the growth of the very bacteria you are trying to kill. The best thing to do is to brush your teeth well. Also brush your gums and your tongue. Avoid using any type of mouthwash, as most are alcohol-based, and you really want to stay away from them.
Here is a great routine you can try that will help improve your breath and possibly get rid of it altogether. Give it some time, and you should see great results.
First things first. Buy a new toothbrush. It should have soft bristles, not the medium or hard ones. The store brand is perfectly adequate. You don't need anything fancy. Brush your teeth morning and night. If possible, also brush midday, but I know that this is not possible or practical for many of us. Spend at least 5 minutes brushing your teeth, your gums, and your tongue. Brush softly, but completely. Try not to miss any areas and try not to cause any bleeding. You can use just about any toothpaste, but I recommend using simple baking soda. Just apply some on your toothbrush and go for it.
Store your toothbrush in a glass container of vodka. Vodka is a neutral spirit and great for eliminating just about any germ known to man. You can buy cheap vodka at the store, but make sure it hasn't been watered down. Any 80-proof brand will do. Fill a glass to the half way mark and store your toothbrush bristles down in the glass. Make sure it's a genuine glass and not plastic, as plastic loves to attract all sorts of germs. Wash the glass thoroughly every week and replace with new vodka. Replace your toothbrush every 3 months. They're cheap and well worth replacing.
Gargle after brushing. Don't use a typical mouthwash. Instead, use hydrogen peroxide. You don't need a lot. Just a capful in a quarter cup of water will do. Gargle, rinse, spit out, and repeat two more times. Do not ingest the hydrogen peroxide. This amount is not really dangerous, but it still should not be consumed.
You probably don't floss. Most of us don't. But if you can, it would be a good idea to start. Floss in the evening. This will eliminate food particles that can linger in your mouth and promote the growth of bacteria. Don't give them the chance.
Make sure you drink plenty of water during the day. This will not only hydrate you but will also assist to clean your mouth of anything that might be building up in there. Six to eight glasses each day should be fine.
If you eat foods that contain refined sugar, you should see if you can get rid of them from your diet. If not, see if you can limit them. Did you know that cavities were almost unheard of before we introduced refined sugar into our diets? It's that terrible. This includes soft drinks, ice cream, sugary cereal, and just about everything else sweet you can buy at the supermarket. I know it's not practical to eliminate it all, so do the best job you possible can. The best bet is to try to avoid eating anything after you've done your night time brushing.
These suggestions will start you on your way to better breath and general all-around health.
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