7 Things You Didn't Know Caused Bad Breath
2014.01.23
Bad breath is a major turn off, and it's embarrassing for you if you're exhaling stink air into someone else's face. Some people are aware when they have bad breath, but others aren't attuned to it.
Of course, the most common bad breath offenders include food and drink, or simply by not brushing your teeth. But there are other contributing factors to why your breath might stink:
1. Stuffy Nose
Having a cold prevents you from breathing through your nose, so you're forced to inhale and exhale through your mouth. This dries out the tissues and reduces the flow of saliva. Your mouth's built-in cleanser not only rinses away food particles, it also neutralizes decay-causing acids and acts as a natural antiseptic to keep bacteria in check.
Solution: Chewing gum. It has been shown to increase the flow of saliva, but get the sugarless ones.
2. Movie Treats
Bacteria love sweets. So when you're snacking on sticky candy like gummy bears, cherry vines and mint chews, bacteria "has a party," according to Kimberly Harms, DDS, the consumer adviser for the American Dental Association. Bacteria feasts on the sugar and spreads it all over your mouth, including hard-to-reach areas of the teeth.
Solution: Chocolate. It's a healthier alternative to candy. It also dissolves quickly, has less sugar than other candy, and has a small amount of calcium to protect enamel.
3. Mouthwash
Many mouthwash and antibacterial mouth rinse brands contain alcohol, which dries out your mouth and leaves it smelling stale after the minty freshness wears off.
Solution: Look for brands with no (or little) alcohol.
4. Super-Low-Carb Lifestyle
When you put your body on a carb-free diet, your body metabolizes a high amount of protein. This produces a by-product of ammonia, which is released in your breath and causes it to smell like rotten fruit.
Solution: Up your carb intake
5. Gram Negatives
The most pungent bacteria that live in your mouth are called "gram-negative." They produce gassy-smelling sulfuric compounds, and they have an extra cell layer that makes them especially resilient. They burrow below the gum line and hide in the crevices of the tongue.
Solution: Floss your teeth and brush your tongue.
6. Anxiety
Stressing out gets your heart pounding, your palms sweating, and you're probably breathing quicker, which means dry mouth again!
Solution: Rehydrate by drinking water.
7. Garlic Breath - or bad breath from any food
This is a no-brainer. Strong tasting, or smelling, food makes your breath stink.
Solution: Drink milk to lower the concentration of odor-emitting compounds from garlic in the mouth and nose. Whole milk seemed to be slightly more effective than skim and had the most noticeable results when it was consumed during a meal
Of course, the most common bad breath offenders include food and drink, or simply by not brushing your teeth. But there are other contributing factors to why your breath might stink:
1. Stuffy Nose
Having a cold prevents you from breathing through your nose, so you're forced to inhale and exhale through your mouth. This dries out the tissues and reduces the flow of saliva. Your mouth's built-in cleanser not only rinses away food particles, it also neutralizes decay-causing acids and acts as a natural antiseptic to keep bacteria in check.
Solution: Chewing gum. It has been shown to increase the flow of saliva, but get the sugarless ones.
2. Movie Treats
Bacteria love sweets. So when you're snacking on sticky candy like gummy bears, cherry vines and mint chews, bacteria "has a party," according to Kimberly Harms, DDS, the consumer adviser for the American Dental Association. Bacteria feasts on the sugar and spreads it all over your mouth, including hard-to-reach areas of the teeth.
Solution: Chocolate. It's a healthier alternative to candy. It also dissolves quickly, has less sugar than other candy, and has a small amount of calcium to protect enamel.
3. Mouthwash
Many mouthwash and antibacterial mouth rinse brands contain alcohol, which dries out your mouth and leaves it smelling stale after the minty freshness wears off.
Solution: Look for brands with no (or little) alcohol.
4. Super-Low-Carb Lifestyle
When you put your body on a carb-free diet, your body metabolizes a high amount of protein. This produces a by-product of ammonia, which is released in your breath and causes it to smell like rotten fruit.
Solution: Up your carb intake
5. Gram Negatives
The most pungent bacteria that live in your mouth are called "gram-negative." They produce gassy-smelling sulfuric compounds, and they have an extra cell layer that makes them especially resilient. They burrow below the gum line and hide in the crevices of the tongue.
Solution: Floss your teeth and brush your tongue.
6. Anxiety
Stressing out gets your heart pounding, your palms sweating, and you're probably breathing quicker, which means dry mouth again!
Solution: Rehydrate by drinking water.
7. Garlic Breath - or bad breath from any food
This is a no-brainer. Strong tasting, or smelling, food makes your breath stink.
Solution: Drink milk to lower the concentration of odor-emitting compounds from garlic in the mouth and nose. Whole milk seemed to be slightly more effective than skim and had the most noticeable results when it was consumed during a meal
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