Suffering from Halitosis? How to Keep Your Bad Breath from Getting Worse

Everyone will experience some kind of halitosis, that's bad breath in lay terms, at some point in your life. Most people will experience some form of bad breath on a regular basis, such as after eating a particularly pungent meal. So for most people, bad breath is something that comes and goes, ebbs and flows. If you think you may be suffering from bad breath that goes beyond this realm, here are some tips on how to keep your bad breath from controlling your life and getting worse.

What Causes Bad Breath, Anyways?

There are certain foods that are nearly universal triggers for a bad breath attack. These foods, such as garlic, onions, and meals with these ingredients plus oily meats (pizza comes to mind), are well known for their bad breath-causing properties. Of course, this doesn't mean that you have to give up your favorite foods for good; it simply means you need to take certain precautions if you don't want to be caught with bad breath. However, on a more specific level, most cases of bad breath is caused by bacteria that is released in the oral cavity (that means your mouth, in lay terms). This bacteria releases volatile sulfur compounds that is the perfect launching pad for bad breath. Other factors that can lead to a serious bad breath attack include phlegm and mucous that contains certain proteins that bacteria love to munch on, thus creating more bad breath. If you have been known to suffer from phlegmatic nasal conditions, you are much more likely to suffer from some kind of bad breath attack.

Keep Your Bad Breath From Going From Bad to Worse

If you know that you suffer from bad breath and it appears to be a chronic condition, make sure to visit a medical professional who can test for more serious underlying conditions. However, if your chronic bad breath appears to originate in the oral cavity, there are still many things that you can do to make sure that your chronic bad breath does not get any worse. Dry mouth can be a problem when it comes to bad breath. Saliva is key to keeping bad breath away because it is oxygen-rich and keeps bacteria from forming in abundance. One of the easiest ways to keep your mouth clean and fresh is to keep it well hydrated.

Avoid Food That Are Very High in Protein

Did you know that foods high in protein have been linked to bad breath? If you want to avoid getting the bad breath blues, you should avoid consuming too much meat or other foods that are very high in protein. For those who suffer from lactose intolerance, you will find that dairy can also be a cause for bad breath.

Avoid Acidic Foods, Too

If you are serious about making your breath cleaner and fresher, you will also want to avoid acidic foods and drinks. Acid is known to help bacteria multiply. Foods high in acid include tomatoes, so avoid that spicy tomato sauce if you are looking for clear breath. You will also want to avoid acidic drinks such as coffee.