How to Get Rid of Stinky Breath

Bad breath can ruin an amazing date or a successful business deal. As embarrassed as you are, at one point or another, you have experienced halitosis (bad breath). You may have temporarily encountered bad breath after eating onions or you may be one of the 90 million people who suffer from chronic halitosis. You might grab a mint or gum to briefly get rid of the unwanted stench, but there are actions you can take to prevent bad breath from becoming a gigantic problem.

Things You'll Need

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Mouth wash
• Floss
• Water pick
• Sugarless gum

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Instructions

How to Get Rid of Stinky Breath

• 1

  Devote quality time to brushing your teeth. Ideally, you should brush your teeth after each meal, but most people brush at least twice a day. Brushing should last at least two to three minutes and include all surfaces of your mouth where nasty bacteria may be hiding. For best results, use a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. You should also purchase a new toothbrush every two months or after you have an upper respiratory infection. Brushing alone is often not enough to remove all of the bad bacteria in your mouth. Floss at least once a day and use a water pick as a supplement to flossing.

• 2

  Use mouthwash. Mouthwash has been proven to effectively kill bad breath germs. Make sure that you swish mouthwash in your mouth for at least 30 seconds and do this twice a day. Don't choose a mouthwash that contains alcohol. Alcohol can dry out your mouth and cause a breeding ground for new bacteria. Try to find a mouthwash with zinc ions, which eliminate and prevent stinky breath.

• 3

  Visit your dentist. Sometimes you can use toothpaste, mouthwash and floss and still find bad breath lurking around. If this is the case, make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. Untreated cavities, gum disease and an impacted tooth are some causes of bad breath. When you visit your dentist, take a list of any medications that you are currently using. Some side effects of certain medications can be bad breath.

• 4

  Make an appointment to see your doctor. If your dentist cannot figure out the cause of your bad breath, it may be due to a physical problem. Sometimes something as simple as postnasal drip can be the culprit behind the stinky odor coming from your mouth or it can be something more serious such as cancer. Avoid wearing perfume to your appointment as this can mask your bad breath. Also, don't brush your teeth or chew gum at least three hours before your appointment.

• 5

  Stay away from things that can contribute to bad breath. Tobacco, cigarettes, onions and garlic can all cause bad breath. You may think that popping a mint after using these things will get rid of your bad breath, but when food is absorbed, it goes into your bloodstream and then is expelled from your lungs. Tobacco and food can also get stuck in your teeth and collect bacteria. If you are stuck somewhere and gum is your only hope, make sure it is sugarless. Chewing gum will help to get rid of dry mouth and also clean the teeth of loose food particles.