Smelly breath? Here are 13 ways to ensure you’re always kissable!

There are few things worse than interacting with someone whose exhalations are so foul they leave you gagging.

Having fresh breath isn’t only essential for those up-close conversations, but it also boosts self-esteem to know your words aren’t followed by a nasty odour.

Keeping your breath minty fresh requires more than simply chewing on gum or popping a sweet.

Here are 13 ways to combat bad breath!  

1. Limit your intake of protein

When you eat fatty foods, ketones are created in the stomach. This byproduct of fat sits in the stomach and ferments. The stench of the ketones makes its way back up through the oesophagus and sticks to your tongue, creating the unpleasant smell.

2. Chew crunchy, healthy foods

By chomping on crunchy snacks – such as apples or carrots – you remove food caught between your teeth, thus removing bacteria that builds between them. It’s this bacteria build-up that causes teeth to feel furry when running your tongue across them. Munching on crispy foods is similar to brushing your teeth. 

3. Eat good ol’ greens

To balance out the acid in the body – which causes bad breath – it’s important to eat vegetables. Veggies promote an alkaline environment.

4. Drink plenty of water

The benefits of H₂O are endless! Water lubricates the mouth, keeping bacteria at bay.

5. Chew on mint or parsley leaves

Mint aids in freshening breath and at the same time increases your intake of greens. Parsley contains chlorophyll, which counters the creation of sulphur compounds, the culprits behind that rotten egg or stinky cabbage smell. 

6. Include your tongue in your brushing routine

If you don’t clean your tongue bacteria sticks to it, resulting in smelly breath. Avoiding bacteria build-up also prevents plaque formation. 

7. Floss daily

It might seem like a waste of time, but flossing is essential in eliminating bacteria and the build-up of plaque. Flossing removes foods brushing sometimes can’t reach.

8. Avoid smoking

Nicotine squeezes the blood vessels, which prevents you from getting a healthy saliva flow. This causes the mouth to dry out and leads to smelly breath. 

9. Rinse regularly with mouthwash

You should always try and keep your mouth moist as saliva helps wash away bacteria. Ensure your mouthwash is alcohol-free and contains zinc compound ingredients.

10. Chew gum

One of the most obvious ways to maintain fresh breath during the day. Chewing gum removes bacteria and increases the flow of saliva. But ensure it’s sugar-free and contains xylitol, an antibacterial sweetener.  

11. Take probiotics

Probiotics help break down food and decrease chances of it fermenting in your stomach, thanks to the enzymes it contains.

12. Apply flavoured lip gloss or balm

It might not directly freshen the breath, but it should help disguise the smell when you simply don’t have a mint or piece of gum at hand. 

13. Visit the dentist regularly

It’s important to have your teeth cleaned by a professional regularly. If you have an oral odour that just won’t go away, you could be dealing with something more serious. Another reason to pay the dentist regular visits.

Sources: cosmopolitan.com, rockhilldentist.com, webmd.com