It’s a fact that some subjects are almost too embarrassing or too difficult to talk about, and smelly breath is one of those topics. Especially where your partner might want to talk about bad breath late at night. Eating late in the day has very little to do with it, the fact is that you can end up having smelly breath after eating any food, and you wouldn’t be able to detect it yourself. That’s where bad breath becomes embarrassing.
The solution to bad breath late at night, or any other time of day ,in my opinion, is to keep up a regular and thorough regime of oral care. Cleaning the teeth after eating and scraping the tongue. Remember too to change your tongue scraper every few months, because when you use it every day it starts to become yucky. If your breath smells late at night your partner, friend, companion, will notice and you won’t like it when they back away from within reach of your breath.
Lots of people know the embarrassment of having a smelly breath in the morning.
It might just be a result of the curry with garlic you ate late last night, or perhaps it is something you suffer from on a more regular basis. Whatever the situation, there are ways of preventing bad breath in the morning, and that is the subject of this article.
It makes sense to look for the cause of morning bad breath in the food eaten yesterday, particularly late at night. Foods containing carbohydrates eaten at night can cause this early morning problem with the breath. Try drinking water with food eaten late at night, and favour the grain foods rather than the carbohydrates.
Gargling a mixture of lukewarm water in a cup with some dissolved salt helps clean the mouth and does freshen the breath. I have tried this remedy myself, and it does work, but be sure not to swallow any of the salty water. The taste does linger afterwards, if you do.
Where bad breath is caused by the build up of bacteria in the mouth, it is rumoured that sugarless yoghurt helps to combat the smell the bacteria produces. I have not tried this myself, so I do not know.
Drinking a cup of tea is also rumoured to help get rid of bad breath, although from my own experience, it does make my breath smell. This is because tea contains certain compounds which are reported to be effective against the growth of bacteria.
Gargling with a mixture of warm water and baking soda is reportedly another way of preventing bad breath in the morning.
As ever, some of these remedies are only what I have read about elsewhere and if you try them it is at your own risk.
For one reason or another, bad breath seems to afflict people and they do not know what to do about it.
Treating bad breath therefore becomes a priority. Perhaps you have had a tooth removed recently, and ever since that happened, your breath has been smelling bad. It is only natural to want to do something about the problem, and quickly. So here are some ways of treating bad breath.
1. Floss your teeth. No matter how thorough you believe your dental hygiene is, flossing the teeth is a vital part of the battle against bad breath. You can easily prove this to yourself, by first flossing, and then smelling the flossing tape. Not a very nice thought, is it? But if you want to know, then that is a way to tell. Very often it is the small food particles which stick to the tape that smell bad.
2. Here I write from my own experience. If you have recently had a tooth extracted, and you have this bad taste in your mouth, it could be a sign of gum disease, which is caused by the build up of plaque. If you suspect this might be true of you, then it might be wise to book a visit to the dentist.
3. Using a tongue scraper first thing in the morning helps get rid of the bad breath which has built up overnight. Many people know that morning bad breath feeling, and the reactions it brings from others close by. They shy away from you.
4. Avoid your mouth becoming too dry, especially after meals. An effective way of stopping bad breath due to this cause is to drink plenty of water through the day. Keeping yourself topped up in this way helps wash away the leftovers of food in the mouth. Drinking water after taking coffee helps get rid of bad breath as well.
5. Sugar free gums or mints are a good standby when you need a quick fix for bad breath.
6. Gargling with a mixture of apple cider and water is supposed to be helpful in stopping bad breath.
There are many ways of treating bad breath and if all else fails, or if you find you cannot get rid of your bad breath no matter what, you should seek medical advice.
IMPORTANT NOTE – The author is not medically qualified, and you should always seek medical advice.
The causes of bad breath in adults are many, so there is no single cause and effect.
That is why so many people who suffer from halitosis are constantly looking for a cure for bad breath which will work for them. Bear in mind that halitosis treatment for one person, might not work for someone else. Sometimes you have to try different treatments to find what works for you.
Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is a concern for many people. It is not pleasant to stand near someone who has a foul smelling breath, especially when you do not want to give offence by walking away because you cannot stand the stench.
Personally, I dread it when I stand or sit next to someone who has bad breath because there is often no way of escape and I just have to stand or sit there and suffer in silence. One persons quick curry is another persons discomfort when that person breathes garlic over everyone within range of his or her breath.
One cause of bad breath is most often linked to a build up of bacteria caused by food which is left in the mouth and between the teeth. Good dental hygiene removes these deposits as soon as possible, so preventing it decaying. It is the sulphur compounds released by these bacteria which causes the breath to smell unpleasant. Obviously the solution is to remove these particles of food from the mouth and gums by observing correct dental hygiene.
Bad breath is also caused by gum disease, which in turn is caused by the build up of plaque on the teeth. Tell tale signs of gum disease are bleeding gums and wobbly teeth. Other causes of bad breath in adults are a throat or tonsil infection and catarrh. In some cases bad breath is a sign of underlying health problems, in which case it is advisable to consult your doctor.
Some foods, which contain pungent oils, can contribute to bad breath. The oils are taken to the lungs and the odour is expelled through the mouth. These foods are garlic and onions. It seems strange how the person who has eaten these foods cannot smell them on their breath, but those who have not eaten them can.
If you are a smoker, the smoke lingers on the smokers breath and gives off an unpleasant odour. There are of course other health issues associated with tobacco smoking.
Sinus sufferers can suffer from bad breath due to the post-nasal drip which lands on the back of the tongue, where it is compounded by oral bacteria which feed on this discharge, resulting in a smelly breath.
These are just some of the causes of bad breath in adults.
IMPORTANT NOTE – The author is not medically qualified, and you should always seek medical advice.
Sometimes it is a bit difficult to detect cat bad breath.
When you think about it, your cat’s breath is going to smell when she has just eaten her food, so how noticeable does bad breath in cats have to be before you decide to take action?
You could reasonably expect your cat’s breath to smell of the food she has just eaten, but that won’t be a foul, obnoxious smell. If you can smell something worse than what you consider to be normal bad breath coming from your cat, over a period of time, then you need to do some investigating into the cause.
Just like us, cats can suffer from bad breath due to gum disease or tooth decay. If this is the case with your cat then a visit to the vet will clear the problem up. The vet will check your cat’s teeth to see if there is any sign of plaque or build up of tartar. If it has been a year since the cat last had its teeth cleaned by the vet then it is time for them to be cleaned again.
This is done under anaesthetic at the vets surgery. Decaying teeth can be removed and the rest of the teeth will be scaled and polished.
You can have a quick look at your cat’s teeth any time, by giving them a quick visual inspection. If they look yellowish, and you can see tartar, they need cleaning.
Of course there is always the possibility of other causes of the cat’s bad breath, but if you take her to the vet, he or she will be able to tell you the cause of the smell. Feeding your cat wet cat food can make its breath smell bad. Try changing to a dry food and see if this makes a difference.
Diet and dental hygiene are two important factors in controlling cat bad breath.
It does not necessarily happen because of teeth problems alone, which is what most people first think of. It could also be caused by the kind of food the animal is eating. If you are concerned about your dog’s bad breath, the first thing you should do is take her to the vet for a check up. Let the experts tell you what is wrong, and take it from there.
Do you brush your dog’s teeth every day? If you do not, then you should. This is all part of the basic hygiene regime of your dog’s health. Brush the dog’s teeth daily using a brush and toothpaste.
While you are at the vet’s surgery, he or she will check your dog’s teeth, and if necessary, give them a scale and polish. At the same time, the vet will examine the condition of the teeth, looking for teeth that need to be removed.
Once the vet has cleared up any teeth problems, try and keep on top of this potential problem, by regular teeth cleaning. If you are worried about your dog’s bad breath, I would recommend you look at some anti halitosis products.
You can buy chew bones, mouth sprays and dental sticks, all of which will help, in their different ways, to combat bad dog breath. Always read the label on these products first, before you give them to your dog. You don’t want to introduce something potentially harmful to your pet.
The food you give your dog can contribute to a foul smelling breath. A popular choice for dog owners is a dry food which is better for tartar control and prevention, which is associated with bad dog breath. Consider giving your dog raw bones. Some dog owners claim these keep their dog’s breath smelling fresh. Giving your dog access to fresh water also helps keep the breath clean and fresh.
As with many other things, opinion varies as to how exactly to prevent bad dog breath. As long as you feed your dog correctly and look after its teeth, you are doing your best to keep the problem under control.
It is understandable that people are worried their breath might smell, especially when they have to meet socially.
This is where the bad breath test comes in. Imagine, for a moment, if someone you intended to kiss turned their head away at the last moment because your breath smells. That would be very embarrassing, and you would likely wish you were somewhere else when it happened. But how can we tell if our breath smells, so we can do something about it?
A bad breath test can be one or more of the following:
1. Lick the back of your hand, let it dry off, then smell your hand at the spot you just licked.
2. Have a look at your tongue in the mirror. If it looks anything other than a healthy pinky colour, use a tongue scraper.
3. Wipe the top of your tongue on a clean white cloth. If you see yellow on the cloth that means you are looking at bacteria which also means your breath might smell. This is the bacteria which, if left on the tongue for any length of time causes the breath to smell bad. Use a tongue scraper to remove it.
4. Ask a friend to tell you if your breath smells.
5. Hold the open palm of your hand about two inches from your face. Open your mouth wide and breathe on to your palm. Generally the warmer the breath the more likely it is to smell bad.
There is an interesting bad breath test in the video below. You can also buy products which tell you if your breath smells.
Sometimes it seems no matter what steps you take to keep your breath smelling fresh, bad breath comes back again in no time.
You either keep repeating whatever you are doing to keep it at bay, or try something new. So this article lists 8 tips to end bad breath. You might be cleaning your teeth twice a day, rinsing your mouth out with Listerine, or even using Listerine strips, and still your bad breath comes back.
Before you try and end bad breath yourself, it is sensible to seek medical advice first, to find out what is causing the breath to smell. It might be something other than the usual causes, so it is best to rule this out, by consulting a physician.
For those without medical problems, here are a few tips to end bad breath based on my own experience of dealing with the problem.
1. If your mouth feels dry, your breath probably smells. Carrying a pack of mints or gums with you is a quick and convenient solution.
2. Watch what you eat. Some foods have a reputation for making the breath smell. Foods served with garlic and onions are two examples of these foods. However, you cannot make the smell from garlic and onions go away by sucking a mint, as the odour arises from within the stomach and lungs, and it takes time to disappear.
3. Drink plenty of water. This helps flush the system and keeps the breath smelling sweeter.
4. The juice of a fresh lemon mixed with water, used as a mouthwash can help prevent bad breath.
5. Keep your teeth clean, and floss them regularly.
6. Using a tongue scraper is good for dental hygiene, and helps prevent plaque.
7. Take regular check ups with your dentist. This helps spot problems before they occur.
8. If you wear dentures, be sure to clean them properly, especially at bedtime.
These are just some common sense tips to end bad breath. If you believe your bad breath problem is not the normal everyday kind which most people experience, is is advisable to see your doctor.
IMPORTANT NOTE – The author is not medically qualified, and you should always seek medical advice.
I mean, imagine your feelings when the one you love turns his or her head away from you in disgust, because your breath stinks. Not nice for anyone to have to suffer this, so it is best to avoid this scenario completely.
The way to end bad breath is good dental hygiene. It nearly always comes back to this solution. Start by brushing the teeth twice a day, after meals. Flossing the teeth to get rid of as much food debris left in the mouth after eating as you can.
If these food particles are left in the mouth, they will eventually start to decay and smell, and your breath will smell as a result. So all your efforts must be directed towards getting rid of left over food particles in the mouth.
Some people, including me, find that having a sip of water after drinking a cup of coffee is effective in getting rid of the bad breath smell. You could also try sucking a mint. A strong mint will mask any odour that you have, and will work straight away.
You often find there is not enough time to perform a full dental hygiene regime before kissing someone. Kissing is often spontaneous and it cannot always wait for you to do something about your breath first. By then it could be too late to sweeten it.
Avoid eating strong flavoured foods will help you to avoid bad breath smell. If you must eat them before kissing, drinking a glass of water after eating helps lessen the odour.
Using a tongue scraper when you wake up in the morning and after meals helps keep the breath smelling fresh. All these methods are useful to know, and effective for me, when it comes to avoiding kissing with bad breath.
If you are wondering how to tell someone they have a bad breath problem, it means you realize how difficult that task is going to be.
Even when it is a friend who has the bad breath problem, it is still difficult, and it can be embarrassing for you and for the friend as well. All you have to do is tell yourself that it is for their own good.
When you want to tell a stranger the same thing, it is even more difficult, and not everyone can do it. Would you tell someone you had never met before he or she has bad breath? I think it would be hard to come straight out with it like that.
If you are determined to tell someone they have a breath problem, always remember to treat the person with respect, and put yourself in their position. By doing this, you can be sure you are going about this the right way and you are less likely to upset the other person’s feelings.
The simplest, and least embarrassing way to avoid being near someone with bad breath, is simply to move away from them, as discreetly as possible. If you were to say, “Excuse me, I have to make a phone call” it is not going to offend anyone, because it is a natural thing to do, and it gets you out of range of the person with the smelly breath.
If the person with the halitosis problem suffers from that condition on a regular basis, and is seemingly unaware that she or he is giving off this bad odour, then it is definitely worth thinking about telling them they have bad breath. This kind of situation could easily happen in the workplace, for instance, or wherever else you regularly meet this person.
The best approach, in my opinion, would be to ask a friend or someone who knows the person well, to speak to the individual concerned and then you would know they are aware of the problem.
But, bear in mind, bad breath can be the result of some medical conditions, such as diabetes and renal infections, in which case, there is not much the person with the bad breath can do about it. It would be wrong to assume the cause of bad breath is solely due to eating spicy foods, or due to some other common cause.
Remember too, telling someone they have bad breath can also be a huge kindness to that person, as it might make them aware, perhaps for the first time, that they have a medical condition they were not aware of. So there is no reason not to tell someone they have a bad breath problem, if it genuinely matters to you.
The following video gives some precise and easy to understand information about bad breath.
You can see a selection of TheraBreath products by clicking here.
Disclaimer This information is not intended as medical advice in any way, and is for information only. You should always consult a medically qualified person.
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