How to Cure Bad Breath

Unless you enjoy frightening your best friend or watching someone's expression melt away, there is little humor in having bad breath. Everyone has it from time to time, either from something you ate or from being ill. But chronic bad breath, or halitosis, can result in an embarrassing social situation or even be a clinical hallmark of an underlying medical condition.

And, of course, there is "dumb crook" issue to worry about. Recently, a bank robber dubbed "the bad breath bandit" had Michigan police searching for a man with "very offensive breath and real yellow teeth." While the fate of the "bad breath bandit" remains unknown--and left to some very unpleasant police work--several things can help you cover your own bad breath trail.
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions




Start simple. There is no need to look any further than the last thing you put in your mouth. Be honest with yourself. Smokers, heavy alcohol drinkers and poor daily oral hygiene are usual suspects on the bad breath hit list. Using mints and mouthwashes is generally a cosmetic intervention that only results in a temporary reprieve of offending breath at best. Most often, these items simply will make your bad breath smell like a "cover-up job."



Change your smoking and drinking habits. That's easy to say, but hard to do for many people. If the main (or only cause) of your bad breath, however, is the amount of tobacco you inhale or the booze you ingest, the only real "cure" will be to greatly reduce or eliminate these substances. Check your local resources for any assistance with tobacco and alcohol abuse issues.



Develop a good daily oral hygiene routine.  Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth and tongue with a fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day. The ADA also recommends flossing at least once daily.



Do some oral care any time you feel buildup on your teeth or tongue. Remember, the ADA recommendations are set at a minimal level. Also, remember that when food debris gets wedged between teeth (flossing out the debris is recommended), it starts to rot quickly, damaging your teeth and gums and leading to bad breath and even more serious and costly oral damage.



Keep a food diary along with a list of all prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as vitamin or herbal supplements you take. This is especially helpful if your bad breath remains after stepping up your oral hygiene. Have a dental professional review these medications during your next oral exam. Some dental professionals specialize in bad breath, and the ADA maintains a list of each state's dental association as a resource for locating such specialists.



Do not simply live with bad breath. For the most part, it can be cured or significantly altered. Remember, bad breath is not just socially unpleasant; it may be warning sign of undetected systemic disease.