If you have bad breath, it can affect many aspects of your personal life. Depending on the severity of the halitosis, it can actually have a negative impact on your professional life as well.
People respond to others with bad breath in various ways. Some will avoid getting too close to the individual with bad breath. Others will decide that it is not even worth being in the same room with them.
Overcoming bad breath is possible, but it may require some changes to your lifestyle. Here are five ways that you can overcome bad breath, which will also help to improve your overall oral health.
Quit smoking.
This assumes that you are a smoker. If you are, smoking not only has intensely negative effects on your physical health, it also impacts your breath. If you find that people at work or in your relationships are having trouble being close to you, or listening to you, it could be the result of your smoking habit.
Quitting smoking won’t guarantee that your bad breath is gone, but it can offer you an important first step toward having pleasant breath.
Change your diet.
The foods that you eat can contribute to your bad breath. For example, garlic, onions, sugary foods, highly acidic foods, and even coffee and alcohol can cause your breath to be foul. Eating healthier foods, more vegetables, more fruits, and avoiding red meats even, can help reduce your bad breath.
Keep hydrated.
A dry mouth can also be a contributing factor to bad breath. If you find your mouth is overly dry, make sure that you drink plenty of water. There is no substitute for water. Even vitamin water or energy drinks are not going to supplement your hydration properly. It will do nothing to help your bad breath either.
Check the mouthwash you use.
If you use mouthwash, try to avoid the brands that contain alcohol. This could contribute to a dry mouth condition and actually increase the risk of halitosis.
Brush and floss daily.
When you brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day, this will help to improve your oral health and reduce the risk of having bad breath.