How to Remove Badbreath

No one likes to have bad breath, or even worse, smell it. It can not only be offensive, it may signal dental maladies or physical ailments, many of which can even be unrelated to the mouth. Most often, bad breath, also called halitosis, is caused by bacteria in the mouth. Fortunately, it can be combated on a variety of fronts. Here's how to get fresher smelling breath in no time.

Things You'll Need

• Tooth brush
• Dental floss
• Tongue scraper
• Mouthwash
• Sugar-free mints
• Sugar-free gum

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Instructions

• 1

  Brush your teeth after meals. Reach every surface of all sides of the teeth as best as you can. Floss with dental floss after eating. Use a tongue scraper to clean bacteria from the tongue.

• 2

  Swish water or mouthwash in the mouth frequently to clear the mouth of bacteria and leftover bits of food that may be trapped between the teeth.

• 3

  Increase the saliva flow in your mouth by chewing on sugar-free gum or sucking on breath mints. Saliva helps rinse the mouth and clear it of bacteria, and the mints or gum help mask odor.

• 4

  Have a thorough dental exam to assess the health of your mouth, teeth and gingival tissues. Visit a physician to rule out illness, such as sinus infection, diabetes, acid reflux or liver disease.

• 5

  Watch your intake of spicy foods such as onions and garlic which, when digested, are transmitted from the blood and exhaled out the lungs for up to a full day after eating.

• 6

  Quit smoking or reduce your tobacco intake. In addition to smelling bad, tobacco dries the mouth out, which can increase the bacterial reaction inside your mouth.

• 7

  Refrain from drinking coffee, which can leave a bitter smell in your mouth.

• 8

  Watch your alcohol consumption. Alcohol may cause digestive issues leading to bad breath. Alcohol also reduces saliva production.