Thursday, October 22, 2009
Bad breath. It’s the one thing that can lead to first dates never calling back, friends distancing themselves and losing that internship at the interview stage. While people may not necessarily care if your breath is minty-fresh, they certainly will if it seems like there is a carcass inside your mouth.
Photo illustration by Patrick De Oliveira
Stinky salutations: Bad breath can affect you in a bad way but flossing and taking care of your teeth can tackle it.
If you are a smoker or a garlic appreciator, you will most certainly have to deal with halitosis, the scientific name for bad breath. Brushing your teeth and using mouthwash are ways to refreshen your breath but if you really want to get rid of the problem, flossing is the way to go, says Shirley Morriss, a dental assistant at Wilkerson, Saunders and Anderson, 831 Vermont St. Flossing reaches and cleans those areas where food accumulates and bacteria thrive. Also, make sure to clean your tongue, another hotspot for stinky bacteria.
If it’s an emergency, chewing some gum may do the trick. But you shouldn’t rely on it. Gum will just cover the bad breath and not address the root of the problem, Morriss says.
If you diligently clean your teeth and mouth and people are still keeping their distance, your best bet is stopping by the dentist. The only way to deal with chronic bad breath is by seeking professional treatment.
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