Beat that breath

Do you turn your head away because you are too scared others will notice your smelly breath? Don't let bad breath turn you into a hermit.

The South African Dental Association lists the most important do's and don'ts regarding bad breath and how to deal with it.

Do's

• Visit your dentist regularly.
• Have your teeth cleaned periodically by a dental professional.
• Floss or clean between your teeth, as recommended by your dentist. Choose unscented floss so that you can detect those areas between your teeth that give off odours, and clean them more carefully.
• Brush your teeth and gums properly.
• Ask your dentist to recommend a toothbrush or scraper for your tongue. Clean your tongue all the way back gently, but thoroughly.
• Drink plenty of liquids, particularly water. But don't go overboard - drinking too much water can flush important electrolytes from your system.
• Chew sugar-free gum for a minute or two at a time, especially if your mouth feels dry. Chewing parsley, mint, cloves or fennel seeds may also help.
• Clean your mouth after eating or drinking milk products, fish and meat, in particular.
• Take control of the problem. Ask a family member to tell you whenever you have bad breath.
• If someone in your family or a close friend has bad breath, find a kind way to let them know. If you can't tell the person directly, leave a hint or this fact file lying around. He/she may get the message.
• Ask your dentist to recommend a mouthwash which has been shown to be clinically effective in fighting bad breath. Use it most effectively right before sleeping.
• Eat fresh, fibrous vegetables such as carrots.

Don'ts

• Don't let your concern about having bad breath ruin your life, take some action.
• Don't be depressed. Get help. Don't ignore your gums - you can lose your teeth in addition to suffering from bad breath.
• Don't drink too much coffee - it may make the situation worse.
• Don't forget to clean behind the back teeth in each row.
• Don't give mouthwash to very young children, as they can swallow it.
• Don't clean your tongue so hard that it hurts or so far back that you gag.
• Don't rely on mouthwash alone - practice complete oral hygiene.

(Health24, updated 2010)