Combatting bad breath: Expert tips to get rid of a stinking mouth

Bad breath or stinking mouth is common for everyone However it is disgusting embarrassing and also easily manageable While there can be some underlying health conditions behind persistent bad breath most of the time combatting the odour requires us to follow clean and healthy lifestyle habitsThere are many factors that lead to a stinking mouth Addressing them to completely rid yourself of bad breath is necessary Midday online spoke to health experts who delve into key causes signs and remedies to get rid of bad breathDr Pratibha Mahajan consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital Mumbai lists some of the common causes of bad breath that include unhealthy eating habits poor digestion dental infection poor oral hygiene smoking consuming alcohol advanced kidney or liver diseases and other metabolic disorders like diabetesMahajan adds ldquoBreath is especially bad in the morning after we wake up because of the nightlong decomposition of leftout food particles on or in between teeth by millions of oral bacterial flora as well as the interactions between the bacteria and dead cellsrdquoShe lists down common signs that indicate bad breathPlaque and calculusTartar deposition over teethCoating on tongueSwollen and bleeding gumsPockets of pus in gums due to gum diseases or an infected or decayed toothRemnants of food between teethDry mouth or a sticky feeling in the mouth unpleasant taste such as sour or metallic that lingers in the mouthBad breath and gut healthDr Arun Pillai wellness director at Dharana at Shillim says ldquoBad breath can indicate poor gut health The digestive fire lsquoAgnirsquo plays an important role in breaking down food and absorbing nutrients If the digestive function is weak it can lead to the accumulation of toxins known as lsquoAmarsquo in the body These toxins can be reasons for bad breath Due to the accumulation of Ama the natural balance of doshas vata pitta and kapha can change and lead to an imbalance in the oral cavity thereby causing bad breathrdquoAyurveda emphasizes the importance of good digestion for overall health What we eat plays a significant role in digestion and oral hygiene Pillai explains ldquoWhen we eat food that is difficult to digest it causes an imbalance in our digestive fire and forms toxins which cause health issues including bad breath Eating in a rush or in a stressed state can impair digestion and the undigested food can cause bacteria in the oral cavityrdquoPillai suggests eating clean He says ldquoIt is advisable to avoid cross food like having milk and sour fruits or mixing dairy products with fruits These combinations can lead to the formation of toxins and result in bad breath I would also suggest cooking onions and garlic with digestionenhancing spices in order to make them easier to digest and reduce their impact on breath odourrdquoAdditionally Pillai says ldquoHaving a proper diet can help prevent bad breath by promoting healthy digestion and oral hygiene You can customize your diet according to your likes and health conditions A balanced diet must have a variety of fresh fruits vegetables whole grains and lean protein Avoid excessive intake of heavy greasy or processed foods You can include digestionenhancing spices in your meals such as ginger cumin coriander and turmeric These spices help stimulate digestive functions and prevent the formation of toxins that can contribute to bad breathrdquoTips for fresh breathSagar Awatade founder of Oracura an oral care company has listed below some easy tips to ensure your breath stays fresh throughout the dayBrush your teeth twice a dayBrushing removes plaque bacteria and food particles that can lead to bad breath and gum diseasesFloss dailyFlossing cleans hardtoreach areas between teeth where a toothbrush cant reach preventing the buildup of odorcausing debrisClean your tongueBacteria accumulate on the tongues surface Gently scraping or brushing the tongue removes these microbes and helps combat bad breathAvoid tobacco and alcoholTobacco and alcohol can dry the mouth leading to bad breath Avoiding them helps keep your breath freshRegular dental checkupsSeeing a dentist regularly allows for early detection and treatment of dental issues that can contribute to bad breath when left unattendedBesides using a softbristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste for fresh breath Awatade also recommends using a few oral care productsWater floss thread floss or interdental brushesThese tools clean between teeth and along the gum line reducing plaque and preventing bad breath A water flosser is a very easy efficient and effective tool for interdental cleaningTongue scraperA tongue scraper helps remove bacteria and debris from the surface of the tongue improving breath odour Water flosser attached used with a tongue scraper helps in cleansing the tongue deeply making it easy amp painfree MouthwashMouthwashes with antibacterial properties help freshen breath by reducing bacteria However they should not replace brushing and flossing Use mouthwash as directed by your dentist typically after brushing and flossing Some alcoholbased mouthwashes can contribute to dry mouth if used excessively so choose alcoholfree options to avoid dry mouthAwatade stresses regular dental checkups after every 6 months for maintaining oral health and addressing any concerns related to bad breath However he says ldquoIf you have persistent bad breath despite practising good oral hygiene its advisable to consult a dentist or doctor to investigate underlying causesrdquoEffectiveness of breath mintsMany people have a habit of popping breath mints to get rid of bad breath These mints do help in combatting bad breath but experts warn of their sugar content leading to decayed teeth and raised blood sugar level which is harmful to health They can be consumed once in a while and not routinely and frequentlyldquoBreath mints are only good for a short period They are not an ideal longterm solution While they temporarily conceal bad breath they do not address the underlying causes and do not promote overall oral health Ayurveda places a strong emphasis on digestion as a key factor in overall health Breath mints contain artificial ingredients excessive sugar and cooling agents that may disrupt digestion and weaken the digestive function in the long runrdquo says PillaiHe further says ldquoMany commercially available breath mints contain artificial flavours colours and sweeteners Excessive consumption of such artificial ingredients may have detrimental effects on overall healthrdquoNatural foods for fresh breathMaintaining good oral hygiene following a balanced diet and addressing any digestive imbalances are key to longterm oral health and fresh breathHowever if you are looking for a quick fix that involves combatting bad breath naturally Pillai suggests the following1 Chewing on a few fennel seeds after meals helps stimulate saliva production aiding in digestion and reducing bad breath2 Cardamom is known to neutralize odours and freshen the breath You can chew on a few whole cardamom pods or add ground cardamom to your meals3 Mint leaves such as peppermint or spearmint have natural antibacterial properties and a refreshing flavour Chewing on fresh mint leaves or sipping mint tea can help freshen the breath4 Parsley is rich in chlorophyll a natural breath freshener It helps neutralize odourcausing compounds in the mouth5 Cloves have antibacterial properties and a strong aromatic flavour Chewing on whole cloves or using clove powder in cooking can help freshen the breath and promote oral health6 Citrus fruits like oranges lemons and grapefruits stimulate saliva production due to their high vitamin C content Saliva helps cleanse the mouth and reduce bad breathWater is the best remedyDrinking a sufficient amount of water goes a long way in not just fighting bad breath but also maintaining the overall health of a personPillai explains ldquoWater is an essential part of our life Its impact on toxic elimination is significant as it acts as a natural detoxifier Drinking plenty of water helps to flush out toxins that may contribute to bad breath Staying hydrated supports the elimination of waste products and toxins through urine and sweat reducing the burden on the absorption of nutrients It also helps in the breakdown of food To maximize the benefits of water for addressing bad breath ayurveda encourages the use of herbal infusions such as warm water infused with ginger mint or fennel seeds These infusions can help freshen the breath support digestion and provide additional therapeutic benefitsrdquoAlso Read Selfies to scalpels Gen Z leads the way in Indias cosmetic surgery boom