Bad Breath: why and how to prevent it.

Posted on June 22, 2019
Tags: bad breath, halitosis.

Where does bad breath come from? 

87% of bad breath (halitosis) originates in the mouth. The ear, nose and throat comprise about 8% of bad breath cases.

What can I do to prevent bad breath?

Get those bacteria and food particles out of your mouth. Here are five ways to do just that are not going to shock you:

1. Use a tongue scraper in the mornings when you brush your teeth. Get all the way to the back of that tongue and gently brush forward a couple times.
2. Brush your teeth both morning and night.
3. Floss your teeth. There are millions of bacteria building villages (or “militias” as one of my young patients added) in between your teeth and under the gums where the tooth brush does not reach.
4. Drink water. Water flushes out bacteria, sugar and food particles.
5. Eat less cheese, garlic, onions and German sausages (this recommendation is purely based off of anecdotal evidence).

Reference: Nogueira G, Pipelines for Halitosis, Oral Health, October 2011, Vol 101, No 10, pg 35-39