BAD BREATH (HALITOSIS)

By Nikos Papadakis, Dental Surgeon

Part Two:
Best ways to combat halitosis

 Maintain a clean mouth: Chewing gum, mint candies, mouthwash… all these offer a temporary solution but do not cure the problem. The only thing that helps you get rid of halitosis is brushing your teeth, using dental floss and cleaning the tongue at least twice every day.  Though you might find it strange, the tongue plays a most important role in maintaining a clean breath. Sometimes, it doesn't matter how often you brush your teeth. If you don't rub and brush your tongue with the special brush, you will not achieve the desired result.

Keep the mouth moist: The best way to maintain a balance in saliva is to drink lots of water and liquids. In order to avoid dry mouth syndrome in winter use a mouth moisturizing spray. If you snore or suffer from allergic rhinitis, use a nose spray to maintain the nose passages moist.

Watch what you eat: Avoid foods and habits with bad smells, like onion, garlic, tobacco and coffee. Prefer foods that help in keeping your breath clean, like tea. Polyphenols, which are found in tea, prevent the growth of bacteria that cause halitosis. You can also chew parsley which neutralizes unpleasant smells from other foods and bacteria. Blackberries also help in the neutralization of bad smells and moreover prevent the bacteria from sticking in your mouth and creating dental plaque. Finally, sugarless chewing gum that contains xylitol can kill certain bacteria and decrease the forming of plaque.

Make sure you eat carbohydrates: It is obvious that the only way to avoid ketosis is by consuming foods rich in carbohydrates. Eat, therefore, fruits, vegetables and cereals.

If the cleaning of the tongue and the other tips offered above do not bring the desired result, then you must visit your dentist and check for cavities, ulcers, gingivitis or situations that encourage microbes taking up residence and whose metabolized products are foul smelling.