Would You Kiss That: The Breath Woes.

As a student, I meet all sorts of people everyday. My class has more than 100 students who come from different places everyday; it’s only natural that I say hello to at least half of this number, not to add the other people I meet on the streets. Each day I encounter lots of odours; some of them great, some plain and others tear-evoking. Ranging from body odours, foot odours (we shall discuss this another day) to mouth odours; there’s a new one everyday. I think that as a person who spends time around other people, and interacts constantly with them, it is your civic responsibility, I’ll say it again, civic responsibility to ensure that you do not emit foul odours of any kind; it is only proper. Don’t you know the kind of discomfort that you cause people, when talking to you is an assault to their olfactory nerves? Big shout-out to the fellows out there who keep it fresh and clean, God bless your hustle. To my brothers and sisters who are still failing in their duties, I say prayers for you daily. But faith without works is dead, so as usual, I am here to solve your problem. Pay close attention.

Bad breath is caused by a varieties of things; the food we consume, improper oral hygiene, unhealthy habits or even an underlying disease. Foods such as garlic, onions and fish may cause an unpleasant odour in the mouth. Smoking, tobacco snuffing or chewing will also result in bad breath. Bacteria in the mouth causes bad breath as well, that’s why it is important to brush and floss regularly. Also health conditions such as diabetes, and stomach problems (acid reflux, indigestion) can also manifest as bad breath. So sometimes, bad breath may be a symptom of something worse.

Now that we know the causes, how do we eliminate bad breath? The most obvious solution will be to eliminate the source. Let’s start with the simplest; brush your teeth, brush your teeth and brush your teeth. That not only goes to emphasize how important I think that point is, but also the minimum number of times a day I think you should be picking up your toothbrush. Lately, I’ve been seeing tongue cleaners in the stores; get one of those too. Your tongue is a wet muscle, therefore it is a haven for bacteria. Keep it clean at all times. After eating. pick your teeth clean of food or floss, otherwise rinse your mouth out with water. If you take a nap in the afternoon, clean your mouth out. As long as you wouldn’t feel comfortable being kissed, clean your mouth.

For those of you who smoke, I know how many times you might have heard this from friends, family or even random people trying to preach to you; I’m going to say it as well, smokers are liable to die young. Also, smokers are the biggest offenders when it comes to bad breath. I don’t hold any malice against you guys, but I’m looking out for you, so I must tell you the hard truth. I know that like any other habit, smoking is hard to drop (I still haven’t been able to stop sucking on the insides of my cheeks). Start small, make a conscious effort to stop; you’ll feel better, your family will feel better. Others have conquered the habit, you can too. In the meantime, make tic-tac your friend. I would also recommend a sugar-free gum such as Xylitol. Chewing on gum not only keeps your mouth fresh and minty, it also stimulates the production of saliva which contains oxygen that deters the growth of bacteria. This gum chewing-tip is for everyone.

If your bad breath is a symptom of an underlying disease, then you have a bigger problem. You can apply the above tips, but your condition needs medical attention. Bad breath can be symptom of gum disease, respiratory tract infections, liver or kidney problems, gastrointestinal disorders and diabetes. Seeing as I am not a doctor, I cannot advise you on this. If you suspect that any of these might be present, please seek medical attention.

There are several other temporary remedies to bad breath. Tea tree oil is an antiseptic and can fight the bacteria causing bad breath. Various kinds of tea can also fight bad breath. They include mint tea, sage tea and clove tea. Lemons also go a long way in eliminating bad breath. Don’t forget the miracle liquid – water. Drink lots and lots of water, at least 2 litres everyday. And so folks, now you can say goodbye to bad breath.