Bad Breath: Top Ten Tips To Prevent Bad Breath

Bad breath typically falls into two categories: situational bad breath and chronic breath. The first, situational bad breath, is usually the result of something we eat - onions or garlic are good examples. A good breath mint will usually take care of situational bad breath. Chronic bad breath is different. Here the cause is bacteria that live on and beneath the surface of the tongue, where they produce volatile organic compounds that smell like rotten eggs or old socks.

Here are ten easy-to-follow tips to help prevent bad breath:

1. Use A Tongue Scraper
Brushing and flossing several times a day may still not eliminate the bad-breath bacteria that live on or beneath the surface of your tongue. Use a tongue scraper to clean your tongue every time you brush. For best results, try a non-gagging tongue scraper like the one shown in the video below.

2. Drink Water To Avoid Dry Mouth
The bacteria responsible for bad breath love a dry oral cavity. Drink water frequently during the day to keep your mouth moist and to create a poor environment for bacteria to thrive.

3. Chill Out
If you're prone to bad breath, stress can make it worse. Relax and smell the roses!

4. Say 'No' To Sugar
Breath mints and chewing gum that contain sugar can feed the bacteria that produce the sulfur compounds responsible for bad breath. Stay away from sugar to keep your breath smelling sweet.

5. Use Sugar-Free Mints
Mints flavored with sugar or artificial flavors don't prevent bad breath, they mask it. A breath mint that I like is ZOX. It quickly neutralizes the volatile sulfur compounds that cause bad breath without sugar or artificial flavors.

6. Blow Your Nose Frequently
Bacteria that cause bad breath actually feed on excess mucous. If bad breath is a problem for you, try blowing your nose more often.

7. Watch Out For SLS
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a foaming agent found in most of the toothpastes carried by national drugstore chains. SLS dries out the oral cavity, making it easier for the bacteria that cause bad breath to grow there. A good SLS-free alternative is TheraBreath Toothpaste. You can find it in some drugstores or online.

8. Take Medication With Lots Of Water
Dry mouth and bad breath are frequently cited side effects for many over-the-counter and prescription drugs. If you're taking medication, take it with lots of water to keep your mouth moist and less prone to bad breath.

9. Stop Smoking!
Nothing causes bad breath so quickly and inevitably as a cigarette. So c'mon, kick the habit!

10. Oxygenate! Oxygenate! Oxygenate!
Bacteria that cause bad breath are anaerobic and thrive in an environment where oxygen levels are low. Products that oxygenate your mouth will prevent these bacteria from causing your bad breath.

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