Bad breath problems...(sad but true)

[Amen]

yeah..however bad this sounds..there are days when i have bad breath when i cant help it..and if thats the day when i am meeting my bf..then its like a nightmare...not that i am not hygenic..but it just comes...i no it...

lame but yesh..i need solutions to this..how do i get rid of this bad breath when i really need to...tried lotta possible ways...

and yeah some of u mite think am disgustiing posting something like this..but it really irritates me..some times...cuz even though i stay hygenic..it just comes!!!

[spaggle]

dont think your disgusting at all, after all we're here to help. Right well i used to get moderatley bad breath due to tonsilitus, but recently i had my tonsils out which also means bad breath for a while. the ways i try to control this are either chewing gum, which isnt all that great because the mint doesnt last for that long. Or I used to carry around mouthwash in my bag with me, although that became annoying as it leaked once all over my stuff! which was rather annoying. General things like this can help our breath. One thing you could try doing is brushing ur teeth after each meal. i Know its not a hygiene problem but i myself find this can help every now and then. Hope this helps.

x

[BellaDonna]

Bad breath can come from 2 sources:

 

1) your mouth: teeth, tongue, gums etc

 

2.) Internally (from the stomach-this is extremely rare though)

 

Bacteria is usually the cause in both cases- though it is normal to have your breath smell like food briefly after eating soemthing spicy or strong like garlic, onions, etc. However if your bad breath is persistent- it means that you have too many sulfur compounds in your mouth from bacteria and dead skin cells. I was a dental assitant in another life, and believe me bad breath is quite common. Luckily it's relatively easy to treat.

 

Be sure to get a professional teeth cleaning at least once a year and brush at least 3 times a day and floss daily as well. Using an antiseptic mouthwash like "listerine" (or the cheaper brands that copy it) will help.

 

If you can't get rid of it on your own- it could be chronic gingavitis (gum disease deeper in your gums) causing it. Tell your dentist if it continues to be a problem.

 

 

BellaDonna

[Amen]

yeah thanx..

about brushing my teeth..i have been conscious about bad breath since long and thats y i brush after every meal!!...

and yeah...moutwash..u think it really works for long??..which one do u prefer...i mean some good ones..

i tried them but dunt think they work much...

is it a good idea to chew mint just before u gonna kiss..i mean like just chew it and then when u start..just spit it out..and yet be casusual about it..

i already feel better since i talked this out!

[Prue]

I know that there are doctors who specialise in odor problems... it's possible that this may have a medical cause (could be your sinuses for example). I forget what this type of specialist is called, and they may be hard to find... but you could ask your GP.

 

Apart from that... apparently it is more effective to use a good powered toothbrush than an ordinary one, and to brush your tongue as well as your teeth. Flossing is also very important for controlling bad breath. You can also get little "oral care strips" that come in a pocket pack. I know that Listerine makes them, and you can take them anywhere with you. They melt on your tongue, and afterwards it tastes like you just used mouthwash. That could be handy.

[Day_Walker]

Well there are the basics brushing, flossing and mouthwash. When you brush you want to take atleast 3 minutes in a circular motion. Two times a day is sufficient but if you are having problems then also after meals. You should also floss atleast once a day, but after meals would be best. Mouthwash can also help and you can use it 1 to 2 times a day. As far as brushing your teeth go u should ALWAYS brush your tongue. The majority of the latent bacteria that will cause bad breath is on your tongue and in between your teeth. If you are having further problems then consult a dentist.

[BellaDonna]

brush your tongue as well as your teeth

 

I forgot to mention that. Jacy gave good advice. Brushing your tongue is definitely very important- and if you don't have a bad gag reflex- try to brush the roof of your mouth too- because bacteria likes to hang out there as well.

 

 

BellaDonna

[Amen]

*cheers*

thats all i can say

[shes2smart]

Just two things to add:

 

1. There's a device called a tongue scraper...flexible plastic strip with a wavy edge that you scrape down your tongue...removes surface nasties.

 

2. Be cautious about the way you're brushing your teeth. Don't use too much pressure or horizontal or verticle motions or, over time, you will erode the gum tissue around your teeth & expose the root. The only fix for eroded gum tissue is a crown and that can get pricey.

[BellaDonna]

Be cautious about the way you're brushing your teeth. Don't use too much pressure or horizontal or verticle motions or, over time, you will erode the gum tissue around your teeth & expose the root

.

 

Also very true. Do not saw away at your teeth and gums- brush them carefully, but thoroughly, using a soft or medium bristled toothbrush. If you brush them too hard and cause your gums to bleed and become inflamed from the force- that will only add to the breath problem, as infections and bacteria can result from making yourself bleed.

 

(If your gums already seem to bleed very easily, without brusing hard- then you might have early stages of gingavitis. In that case you would need to get more frequent cleanings at your dentist office- until the condition is under control.)

 

 

BellaDonna

[babycristy456]

I had a case when I started getting bad breath and it was from gingivitis. I never have mouth problems so I never thought it was coming from that. You don't even know you have it until it starts to hurt. You might have it if youre gums bleed when you brush your teeth, your gums get swollen, or you get build up on your teeth.(Don't think Im disgusting either, breath is something im very conscious about too lol) They prescribe this bad as* mouth wash that cures bad breath in like 3 days.

Another important thing is to floss, floss daily on your molars which accumulate food pieces and if you don't floss, they stay there, and it starts to smell!

Tongue brushing is the most important I think.

If it still does not go away, it has to be from your stomach, which happens too and you can't help that by brushing. So see a dentist/doctor for that case.

[darkblue]

One more thing - if you have dental problems, i.e. need fillings. Get them seen to.

This can often cause bad breath; no matter how well you brush.

[jna35]

Everyone gave you really sound advice. I have a tongue scraper and it works well. I would add one more thing. I don't know if they still make them, but there used to be little pills called Breath Assure. I have used them in the past and they work really well, especially if you've eaten an offensive food. I would definitely make a dentist appt. first though to rule out gingivitis or leaky fillings. Good luck to you!

[Amano Ginji]

U said u have a throat infection rite...trust me it causes a lot of bad breath..

and if in ur case its because of the throat infection..i guess the best u can do is use some mouth wash...i bet u wont be able to have mint cuz it only irritates ur throat....my suggestion stick to the mouthwash till ur throat is back to normal

good luck have fun

[archerz03]

Mouth wash isn't good for bad breath in the long run because it contains alcohol which dries up your mouth. Obviously brushing and flossing is a must. Over brushing isn't necessary a good thing. One thing that really helps is having a proper diet. Fruits, vegetables and yogurt, especially yogurt, helps prevent bad breath.

[Tony29UK]

I find scrubbing my tongue when brushing helps, followed by a good swish of mouthwash. Listerine do a great breath freshener spray too. Works for ages! Pop it in your pocket! Chewing gum helps too, its minty goodness keeps your mouth moist with all the saliva.

[Shadows Light]

Well at least you are paying attention to it and care... believe me there are some people who don't!!! YIKES.

 

I try to get in to see the dentist at least 2 a year for cleaning.

 

Brush your teeth after every meal. Brush your tongue once a day... most of the plaque on your teeth orignates on your tongue believe it or not. I sometimes just use pure baking soda and gargle with straight peroxide. Peroxide has no taste.. so I'll swish it through my mouth and around my teeth. Number one.. it kills everything. Number two.. it helps with stains, coffee stains, tea stains, food and smoking stains. Don't do it too often.. maybe once or twice weekly.

 

Floss.. very important.

 

Get dental work done, promptly.. Dark is right, cavaties will cause food to get trapped and then bacteria to start growing.

 

Maybe invest in a WATER-PIK... devise that shoots water between and round your gum line.

 

Colds, sore throats, nasal congestion will all cause bad breath.. the start of a cold.. believe it or not sometimes you can smell illness on someones breath.

 

I can't chew on gum.. I've got TMJ.. so, try altoids or listerine strips. I keep a small bottle of listerine or carry it in my brief-case on business trips.

 

And if all this fails.. and you are still pared out about your breath.. talk to your dentist.. and get her/his recomendations.

[MajinBu]

if it is as you say that you brush your teeth after every meal i hardly doubt its a problem with your mouth hygene.... but even if you brushed your teeth once a day i doubt it could be caused by that....

ive had some past experience with this and sometimes still do and so do some of my friends... i cant really find an explanation but usually when i have bad breath its when my stomach is empty... i noticed it when i would go to school in the mornings without eating anything but brushing my teeth nevertheless.... and my teeth would be spotless for the whole morning but i would still have bad breath.... so all i can say is that its probably your stomach and not your teeth or mouth... maybe you should eat something like a small sandwhich just for your stomach to grab on.... or have you already tried that?