- Is there anything worse on a hot day than this?
- A few simple changes to make to your daily routines
- Homemade help for social inclusion
The ending of lockdown rules has had some unintended consequences.
People who haven’t been getting out in the world are beginning to meet up again.
This has led to a few issues…
…How do you tell someone that their breath is melting your face?
There must be people out there who think that everyone else has problems with watery eyes – because that’s what happens when they talk to them.
The whole topic of raising personal hygiene is fraught with angst.
There just isn’t an easy way to tell someone that their breath or body really hums is there?
Of course the big worry is…
…what if it’s you that is making folk back away with clothes pegs on their noses?
How do you ensure that you remain fragrant and approachable?
For our bodies there is no substitute for a daily wash and a dab of chemical free deodorant.
But what about bad breath?
How can we make the world a better place for everyone…
Cut down on anti-social behaviour
Before getting down to a few handy tips about keeping your mouth pong-free it is worth mentioning that bad breath can be a sign of underlying problems.
Particularly liver, mouth and gut pathologies, so if you have any concerns please get to see your GP as soon as possible.
Fortunately though, most issues are caused by bacteria which live in the mouth proliferating and giving off noxious odours.
Naturally then the first place to look is how to control these pesky blighters.
Commercial breath fresheners tend to use alcohol to help rid the mouth of unwanted creatures, but this is not necessarily a good thing.
In fact if you are beginning to crave your seven a.m. fix of mouthwash I suggest you have a problem!
More importantly alcohol dries out the mouth, and a dry mouth is one that is at risk.
Our saliva is naturally anti-bacterial, so restricting its production is a bad thing.
Certain foods will do this too such as tomatoes and coffee; whereas cucumber, celery, carrots and apples increase saliva production and will help to clean your teeth – chew well.
Of course, those of us with a penchant for curries and Asian sauces will know that onions, garlic and spices can leave the breath slightly rich!
But they are not necessarily causing bacteria to build up, and often aid digestion and gut balance, so keep eating them but brush your teeth well afterwards.
Lastly, have a look at the side effects of some of your medications.
Chances are dry mouth will be listed – about 75% of prescribed medications make mention of it including antihistamines for allergies.
Giving your teeth a good scrub morning and night, and especially after big meals will always yield benefits.
But there are also a few things that we can do to help make the world a fresher smelling place.
How to prevent the pong
Whether you are a curry addict, enjoy your regular coffee or can’t resist cheese and onion crisps please don’t restrict your habits.
It’s just a matter of being aware that these habits can leave your breath slightly pungent!
So, here are a couple of ways that you can stop your mouth being a bio-hazzard;
- Chew a few herb leaves. The leaves of fresh mint, coriander or parsley will immediately freshen your mouth. Just chew a small handful after meals and drinks and you will feel the benefit.
- Spice it up! Seeds of cardamom, fennel and clove can be a pleasant way to end a meal as they will help your breath as they are natural antimicrobials, but they will also aid the digestive process and prevent indigestion too.
- Natural lemon fizz. Sucking and chewing on a slice of fresh lemon with a sprinkling of salt on it can be a really enjoyable way to liven the mouth up after a heavy meal like a curry. The addition of the salt will help clean teeth but also makes the lemon juice taste slightly sweeter… please note this is slightly sweeter, it will still make your mouth pucker!
- Homemade help. A teaspoon of baking soda added to a cup of water and stirred will provide you will an effective and money saving mouthwash. Swoosh a mouthful of the mix around the mouth and through the teeth for best effects… do not swallow it though.
- The fruit shoot. Apples, celery and carrots can all act as tooth cleaners and breath fresheners when chewed after a meal. Make sure to chew them at different points in the mouth to get the best effect.
- The tea tree way. Tea tree oil is a very effective antimicrobial and can help prevent the build up of bugs in the mouth that can be the cause of odour. Add a drop on top of your normal toothpaste, or gargle with a few drops into a cup of warm water.
- Sugar free mints. It would be remiss of me not to mention our very popular Dr Heff’s Remarkable Mints which have been developed by dentists to fight tooth decay, but also to give you fresh and minty breath.
Hopefully one or other of the options above will help you avoid being a community outcast in the next few months.
