4 Ways to Improve Your Breath

In each of our mouths is a village of micro-organisms and bacteria.  It's weird to think about, but keeping the balance of "good" and "bad" bacteria are part of the process that improves dental health and tackles bad breath.

Most adults have bad breath some of the time.  Particularly when the mouth is dried out like first thing in the morning or after a long flight. But 25% of people the world over, have serious, constant cases of halitosis. For those who don't fall in the "lucky" 75% (and even for the rest of us and our occasional problems), what is to be done about the bad breath?

1. Proper oral hygiene.  It is critical to brush teeth twice a day and floss daily.  But there is too much of a good thing.  Too perfect of care (brushing 5+ times per day, etc) tends to wipe out the good bacteria along with the bad. When the mouth is sterilized it actually leaves it a breeding ground for bacteria--a situation in which the bad bacteria often dominates.

2. Scrape your tongue.  We know all about brushing in tiny circles as hygienists every where have instructed for years.  We likely know about the importance of brushing our gums--lightly--and regular flossing.  But we don't often hear about the benefits of scraping out tongues--an act that sounds kinda violent and invasive. An article on the topic from the Scientific American said, "Lightly scraping away any coating on the tongue can greatly improve the fragrance of one's breath for at least a few hours."

Photo Credit: NY Times.com

3. Watch your mouth rinse.  While mouth rinses can be helpful, check the ingredients.  Rinses that contain alcohol will wipe out your good bacteria along with the bad.  And even mouth rinses geared to eliminate bad bacteria only and ruin your taste buds or leave your with a constant oral tingle. (Stay tuned.  Rinses are in the works to help maintain a better bacteria balance.)

4. Chew gum.  All sugar-free gum helps promote stronger teeth and better breath by stimulating saliva, but there are now brands using an ingredient called Xylitol, that, studies show, takes on the stinkiest and worst-for-you bacteria,s. mutens. Turns out, Europe has been using this all-natural sweetener found in fruits and veggies for years. Chewing a couple of slices a day creates positive effects in the mouth that lasts for years, notes a 2012 article in the New York Times.