In a panic with how your breath smells even though you brushed your teeth this morning? Several people have quick methods for how to check for bad breath, but only one is foolproof with no false hope.
Don’t quickly puff a breath into your cupped hand and smell it, because that often will not smell great, even after brushing your teeth. Instead, lick your wrist, let it dry for roughly 10 seconds, and then smell that.
If you notice that you have bad breath more often than normal, even after brushing your teeth, you could have a serious health problem called halitosis. You can do several things to mask the odor, but none will remove the cause of the bad breath.
Sometimes halitosis is caused by poor dental hygiene, but if you brush and floss regularly and still have bad breath, you have another problem at hand. It could be caused by certain medications, your current diet, diabetes, using tobacco, or acid reflux issues. It can also be caused by serious periodontal problems such as periodontitis, gingivitis, or tooth decay.
Certain foods can cause temporary bad breath, such as spices, cheeses, and garlic, but if you consume them often and in large amounts, your bloodstream can actually absorb the odors. When the blood travels to your lungs, it can transfer along with oxygen, and then when you breathe out, you have bad breath. A diet low in carbohydrates can produce a similar effect.
If you have chronic bad breath, see your dentist first. Be sure to discuss your diet to help rule that possibility out. If your dentist gives you a clean bill of dental health, it’s time to check in with your physician to make sure there’s not another underlying problem.