Bad breath is embarrassing, that is, when you find out you have bad breath. There may be a number of instances where your bad breath has annoyed people and you haven’t been even aware! Wondering how to find out if you have bad breath? Here’s a simple tip:

Lick the back of your hand. Keep it in air for five seconds. And then, smell it. If it smells foul, you have a bad breath.

The first step towards avoiding bad breath is taking proper care of your teeth and mouth. Brush thoroughly after your meals and before you go to bed. Floss once a day, immediately after you have brushed your teeth. Clean your tongue, once a day, after you have cleaned your teeth thoroughly.

Make a habit of rinsing your mouth after consuming anything. This will help keep your mouth clean and hydrated. Also, drink 8-10 glasses of water everyday. Your mouth should be hydrated at all times. Saliva helps keep bad breath at bay.

Food that contains onions and garlic give you bad breath instantly. Seafood and some types of meat also cause your mouth to stink. Clean your mouth thoroughly after you have had these food items.

It is also important that you cut down on smoking and drinking. Tobacco and alcohol are the biggest culprits behind oral problems.

The medicines you take may also be a reason behind bad breath. Not because they give your mouth a smell but because they give you dry mouth as a side effect. And dry mouth causes bad breath. If your dentist suggests that the medicines are causing the problems, ask your doctor to prescribe substitutes.

Take care. Happy smiling!

Tags: Bad breath, halitosis