8 Ways To Beat Bad Breath

Smelly breath can embarrass anyone—
here’s how to get rid of it.

Stay On Top Of Your Teeth

Your first and easiest line of defense is
good oral care. Cavities, tooth decay, and
gum disease can all be underlying causes
of odor,Brush twice a day and
floss at least once daily to remove the
plaque and bacteria that accumulates on
your teeth and under your gumline. And
be sure to visit your dentist twice a year
for a checkup and professional cleaning.

Clean Your Tongue

The fleshy surface of the tongue is a
prime breeding ground for harmful
bacteria and accounts for a large
percentage of halitosis cases; but most
people neglect this crucial area when
brushing. To dislodge the offending build-
up take a regular soft bristle toothbrush
and make a few gentle strokes down the
tongue from back to front once a day,
says Cram. Depending on the anatomy of
your tongue—some people have a lot of
grooves -you might want to invest in a
tongue scraper for more effective
cleaning. Check with your dentist for the
best option based on your needs.

Go Sugar-Free

Reaching for mints and gum can help
mask that dragon breath but if you’re
using sugary brands you’re actually
adding to the problem. Bacteria in your
mouth tend to ferment sugar, which leads
to those very unpleasant odors, says
Cram. So stick with sugar-free solutions.
And while you’re at it, cutting down on
sugar in the rest of your diet can go a
long way in snuffing out those icky
smells.

Wet Your Whistle

Your saliva contains vital protective
enzymes that help kill bad bacteria, so a
dry mouth can be contributing to your
smelly situation. Staying hydrated will help
stimulate the salivary glands and keep
your mouth properly moisturized. If
you’re guzzling the optimal 8 glasses of
H2O a day and you’re still desert-dry,
check for these additional issues:
—Are you on any medications? Dry
mouth is often a side effect of certain
meds like antihistamines for chronic
allergies, antidepressants and
antianxieties, or blood pressure pills. Ask
your dentist if she can recommend
products like mouthwash and toothpaste
made especially for dryness or salivary
substitutes that help lubricate the tissues
in your mouth and take the place of
missing saliva.
—Are you extremely dry first thing in the
morning? It could be a sign that you are
breathing with your mouth open all night
due to problems like sleep apnea, a bad
bite, or sinusitis. Check with your doctor.
Clearing up some of these issues can
quickly put that bad breath to rest.

Pass the Bread

A low-carb, high protein diet may be the
cause of that killer bad breath according
to an analysis by the Physician’s
Committee for Responsible Medicine. The
key to these diets is a fat-burning state
known as ketosis when your body burns
stored fats to use as fuel instead of the
missing carbs. As the fat burns, chemicals
called ketones accumulate in the body
and are released in your breath. Since this
is a metabolic problem originating in your
stomach and not your mouth there’s not
much you can do other than modifying
your diet.

Take a Tea Break

Drinking tea can do more than soothe
your soul, according to findings presented
at an annual meeting of the American
Society for Microbiology. It can also help
that halitosis. The research out of the
University of Illinois at Chicago shows that
polyphenols, chemical components found
in black and green tea, can prevent the
growth of the bacteria responsible for
bad breath as well as the bacteria’s
production of putrid smelling compounds.
So try a cup of Lemon Zinger and zap out
those funky fumes!

Spice It Up

Cardamom, a sweet exotic spice often
found in Indian cooking, has been known
to contain antibacterial properties and has
been used for ages as a natural breath
freshener. The cardamom plant is high in
a compound called cineole, a potent
antiseptic that kills bacteria and alleviates
bad breath. Chew on a few cardamom
seeds as an alternative to mints and gum
or try fennel seeds, another herbal
remedy also known to work on bad
breath.

Get a Physical

If you’ve been on top of your dental care,
have tried all of the above and your
breath could still peel the paint from the
walls, it’s time to ring up the doc. Chronic
nasty breath can be a symptom of a
variety of other underlying medical issues
such as diabetes, severe sinus infections,
post-nasal drip, GI disorders, or liver and
kidney problems.