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Let’s get one thing straight right off the bat: no one is claiming that Listerine invented bad breath. Human mouths have stunk for millennia, and there are ancient breath freshening solutions to prove it. But, as Esther Inglis-Arkell writes at io9, in more modern days, advertisements for Listerine transformed halitosis from a bothersome personal imperfection into an embarrassing medical condition that urgently required treatment. Treatment that—conveniently—the company wanted to sell.
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3. Promotes oral hygiene: Using a tongue scraper as part of your daily oral hygiene routine can help maintain a clean and healthy mouth. It complements brushing and flossing by targeting bacteria on the tongue.
Yes, small tonsil stones can be removed at home using a cotton swab or the back of your toothbrush. However, if you have large tonsil stones or are experiencing severe symptoms, it's best to see a doctor.
Here are some of the causes of bad breath, so you can be more confident when you show your smile.
Even with all of these causes of bad breath, most bad breath is due to a simple problem: poor oral hygiene. If you keep your teeth and mouth clean, food particles can stay in your mouth and allow a sticky buildup of bacteria known as plaque to form on your teeth. The uneven surfaces on your tongue and tonsils are especially good at trapping food and bacteria that can cause bad breath.
Check out a tonsil stone dissolver recipe that has freed many people from the misery of tonsil stones.
Removing them manually can be tricky as they are pretty rigid. Using a toothbrush for this purpose can harm the tonsils as they are gentle. Manual removal of white chunks in throat can even lead to bleeding and infection.
The best remedies for bad breath depend on the causes. However, you can take a few steps to treat the problem, or even prevent it.
Our mouth is supposed to be full of saliva most of the time. Saliva helps our mouth stay healthy by killing bacteria and repairing our teeth (albeit very slowly). And it helps remove food debris. If you have a dry mouth, it’s easier for odors to build up because of food or bacteria.
Drinking plenty of water can also help prevent tonsil stones and bad breath. Staying hydrated helps keep the mouth moist, reducing the risk of bacterial overgrowth and the formation of tonsil stones.
If you prefer natural remedies, there are several essential oils and herbs that can help freshen your breath. These natural ingredients have antimicrobial properties that can kill bacteria in the mouth. Here are some essential oils and herbs that can be effective in combating bad breath:
Bad breath that is due to simple causes such as foods may be more easily masked or eliminated than bad breath due to medical conditions, infections, or medication side effects.
Medical Conditions and Bad Breath: A Closer Look at GERD, Sinusitis, and Other Culprits
Large cavities and progressive gum disease both provide perfect hiding spots for large collections of bacteria. As cavities worsen, bacteria accumulate in actual holes in the teeth. When gum disease progresses, deep pockets develop between the tooth’s roots and the surrounding gum and jawbone. The deep pockets are breeding grounds for bacteria that become more dangerous as the pocket deepens.
The problem with this method is that breathing into your hands doesn’t propel breath out from the back of your mouth in the same way that happens when you talk. So when you breathe into your hand you might miss out on the smells from the gases produced at the back of your tongue, the main place where bad breath originates.
Smoking is a bad habit any way you slice it, but one thing it’s fairly well known for is causing halitosis, or “smoker’s breath.” Smoke particles can linger in the throat and lungs for hours, giving your breath a stale scent. The chemicals in tobacco smoke also remain in the mouth, leading to a whole host of secondary causes of bad breath. As mentioned briefly above, tobacco can lead to chronic bad breath by drying out the tongue and gums, leaving a chemical-filmed environment where oral bacteria can run amok. Giving up smoking is good for your body in many ways. Forget better breath – you’ll have a better quality of life!