How to Overcome Bad Breath

Bad breath can be experienced by anyone. For people who interact a lot with other people or often speak in public, this condition will definitely be very annoying. But don't worry, bad breath can be overcome and prevented. Bad breath occurs because oral hygiene is not maintained properly, resulting in dental plaque or ig jigong ’, and bacteria that cause odor. Bad breath is a problem that is often complained by patients to the dentist, in addition to cavities and swollen gums. In the medical world, bad breath is known as halitosis.

Causes of Bad Breath

Bad breath is caused by bacteria in the mouth that produce odorous chemical compounds. The growth of bacteria in the mouth can be caused by problems with the teeth and mouth, including dental plaque, cavities, leftover tooth roots, leftover food that has accumulated between the teeth, dentures that are not kept clean, and inflammation or infection. in the oral cavity. In addition, a dirty tongue can also be a cause of bad breath. All of these things start with poor oral hygiene. In addition to hygiene issues, there are other factors that are at risk of causing bad breath. One of them is dry mouth. 'Jigong' or dental plaque can easily form if the oral cavity is dry. The mouth will dry out if you drink less or after sleeping for several hours. This is normal. However, dry mouth can also be caused by stress or consumption of certain drugs, such as colds and diuretic medications. In addition to problems in the mouth, the following are also potential causes of bad breath:

• Eat foods that contain garlic or onions, spicy foods, sweet foods, alcoholic drinks, or drinks that contain caffeine.
• Suffering from diabetes, gastric disease, sinusitis, tonsillitis, or kidney failure.
• Smoke.

How to Prevent and Overcome Bad Breath

The most important thing that must be done to prevent and overcome bad breath is to maintain dental and oral hygiene. The following are ways to maintain oral and dental hygiene that you can do at home:

1. Brushing teeth twice a day

Brush your teeth in the morning and evening before going to bed, using a toothbrush with soft bristles and toothpaste containing fluoride.

2. Clean the tongue

Not only teeth, the tongue also needs to be cleaned regularly. Clean the tongue with a special tongue brush or tongue scraper. If you want to use a toothbrush, choose a soft bristle brush. Perform tongue cleaning gently and do not need to press too hard, because it can cause tongue injury.

3. Cleaning between the teeth with dental floss (dental floss)

After eating, sometimes there are leftovers that are stuck between your teeth and it is difficult to clean just by brushing your teeth. This can be overcome with dental floss. Cleaning between the teeth is not only done when there is food tucked, but needs to be done routinely after brushing teeth. This method can significantly reduce the risk of bad breath.

4. Gargling with mouthwash

Mouthwash or mouthwash can help prevent the formation of dental plaque that can cause bad breath. The thing you need to consider when choosing a mouthwash is the womb. It's best not to use mouthwash that contains alcohol too often. In general, excessive use of mouthwash can actually trigger fungal infections. Another thing that you also need to consider is the right time to use mouthwash. Do not use mouthwash immediately after a toothbrush, because it can rinse the good content of toothpaste that sticks to the surface of the teeth, such as fluoride. Use mouthwash at different times by brushing your teeth, for example after lunch, or as directed by a dentist.

5. Chew gum

To prevent dry mouth that can cause bad breath, chew gum that does not contain sugar. Chewing gum can stimulate saliva production.

6. Increase drinking water

Dry mouth will trigger bad breath. So it is necessary to increase drinking water. You can see the color of urine to assess the adequacy of the water you consume. The color of the pale yellow and clear urine indicates that you have enough drinking water.

7. Routine dental check to the dentist

By routinely having teeth and mouth checked by the dentist, which is every 6 months, problems in the oral cavity that can cause bad breath can be detected early and immediately overcome. Bad breath can make your self-esteem decrease, especially when talking with a partner, friend, or coworker. To prevent and overcome them, do the methods above. But if bad breath does not go away, you should consult with a dentist.