The bad news? With bad breath, chances are tonight will be the first and last date
We all have bad breath at some time or another, especially first thing in the morning, but for some of us it’s more of a persistent problem. Unfortunately, it’s not the sort of thing our friends will tell us about, but in the UK, 25% of the population is thought to have problem breath.
It’s fine to ask someone we trust. And if we ask, then they won’t be embarrassed to give an honest reply.
Also, here’s a quick way to do a breath check (warning: this does sound odd but the NHS suggests it, so it’s worth a try when no-one’s watching). Give a quick lick, with the underside of the tongue,to the inside of the wrist. Wait for the saliva to dry. Then take a sniff. If it smells bad, there’s a problem.
How can I beat bad breath?
The good news is that it’s possible to beat bad breath in about 90% of cases. Most often bacteria in the mouth and on the tongue are the problem, so a hygienist and dentist can help. Perhaps not in time to save this evening’s date, but hopefully by Valentine’s Day!
Short term fixes:
- Avoid food or drink that causes bad breath. Garlic is the obvious one, but others include: coffee, any alcohol, fish, eggs, ketchup, and even butter.
- Chew gum with xylitol, which helps produce bacteria-fighting saliva, and use a mouth wash.
- Buy a new toothbrush, some dental floss, interdental brushes, and a tongue scraper.
Long term solutions:
- Make an appointment to see the dentist, as gum disease and tooth decay cause bad breath.
- Visit the hygienist, for professional tooth cleaning that really gets into the places where bacteria linger.
- Act on advice about following a good oral hygiene routine.