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Talking to somebody with bad breath is the absolute worst. But you know what’s actually worse than that? Being the person with the bad breath—and not knowing it.
Most people with bad breath have no clue that every word they speak is repelling their friends and co-workers further and further away.
Nobody likes to talk about bad breath, but we should—it could be linked to a more serious health problem!
Before you break out that new pack of gum, here’s everything you need to know about bad breath:
- There Are Two Types: It’s important to know whether your bad breath is caused by halitosis or something you’re eating. Foods like garlic and onions have sulfuric compounds that need to be digested, which is why they have such powerful odors. Halitosis, on the other hand, is caused by an imbalance of bacteria, meaning you can’t just wait around and hope it goes away.
- Stinky Food Sticks Around: The sad truth is that a big meal packed with garlic and onions can’t be magically forgotten once you brush your teeth. The sulfuric compounds in onions and the allicin in garlic, unfortunately, may take days to fully digest. These compounds travel through your blood to be excreted by your kidneys, lungs, and skin. That’s why you can still have stinky breath after brushing, flossing, rinsing with mouthwash, and chewing gum.
- Halitosis Must Be Physically Treated: Mouthwash and gum will only mask the underlying issue, which, once again, is usually caused by an imbalance of bacteria. Since these bacteria like to hide in between the teeth and inside crevices in the tongue, you can only remove them through some good old-fashioned brushing and flossing.
- You Might Just Be Dehydrated: Salvia swishes all those tiny food particles around your mouth to get rid of nasty, stench-causing bacteria. Dry mouth pretty much allows all that bacteria to thrive, grow, and give you horrible breath. This is just one more reason to stay hydrated!
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- This Is Also Why Coffee Gives You Bad Breath: Basically, the caffeine in coffee dries out your mouth, leaving behind nothing but that nice pungent coffee smell. Coffee also has a funny way of staining your teeth, which only amplifies the whole bad breath situation.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments!
