Are you suffering from bad breath? Chewing mints may not be the solution for this. It can actually worsen your problem. This was claimed by James Buchanan, an Australian-based dentist. He stated that even though mints are used to eliminate bad breath, the presence of sugar in it feed those bacteria in the mouth that rot teeth and cause bad breath. He recommended using sugar-free gum.

Instead of chewing mints, Buchanan explained that eating fresh fruits and yogurt for breakfast will help clean and eliminate bad odor. Consumption of apples and celery will also aid in increasing the saliva in the mouth, thereby washing away particles that cause the bad odor.

Xylitol, which is a natural sugar alcohol, is used as a sweetener by some mints. It helps prevent the growth of the bacteria that cause cavities as these bacteria cannot use xylitol to grow, unlike other sugars. Over time, use of xylitol makes the quality of bacteria in the mouth weaker and fewer decay-causing bacteria survive on tooth surfaces. Moreover, less plaque is formed and the level of acids damaging the tooth surface is reduced.

Causes Of Bad Breath

In a Vital Statistics Survey conducted on behalf of the toothpaste manufacturer White Glo, 2,000 participants were asked about their dental hygiene habits. The results of the survey showed that only 52% of the participants were brushing their teeth twice a day, which is the recommended amount. Bad oral hygiene is the most common cause of bad breath. Its other causes include fasting, crash dieting, smoking, and low carbohydrates diets, foods and drinks, medications, and some other medical conditions.

Buchanan told The Sun, as cited by Daily Mail Online that:

“While trapped food particles can contribute to bad breath, the most common cause is plaque buildup on teeth.”

Tooth decay, which is caused by plaque buildup, causes bad breath. It also occurs when acid is produced from plaque.

When food and drinks rich in carbohydrates, particularly sugary foods and drinks, are consumed, the bacteria in plaque transform the carbohydrates into energy they need and simultaneously produce acid.

The acid can start to destroy the surface of a tooth if the plaque builds up and this causes holes known as cavities. These cavities will start to eat away the dentin, which is the second level of tooth material that lies at the layer after the enamel. Buchanan recommended using a soft-bristle toothbrush instead of the hard-bristled ones in order to prevent damaging the enamel.

Home Remedies For Bad Breath Prevention

According to an article published on the website BestHealthMag.ca., bad breath can be prevented at home.

Listed below are some home remedies for preventing bad breath.

Brush Your Teeth Right After Every Meal

Development of plaque can be stopped by brushing your teeth immediately after eating.

Use An Oral Irrigator

An oral irrigator is a handheld device that quickly pulses a small amount of water into the mouth, washing out the bad bacteria. This can clean the mouth better than a brush or floss string as it can go deeper.

Refrain From Smoking

Avoid drinking alcohol, smoking, and limit eating onions, garlic, and strong cheeses like Camembert, Roquefort, and blue cheese.

Do Not Skip Meals

When you do not eat for a long period of time, the mouth can get very dry and this becomes a perfect ground for bacteria.