Mr. Boxy
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Bad breath is mainly caused by two things: bacteria and decaying food particles.
That's right. Bad breath is caused by things rotting in your mouth. In fact, that may be going on right now. Aren't you glad you asked?
Good oral hygiene will correct a lot of this. Flossing will dislodge stuck food particles, and brushing will get rid of anything remaining on your teeth. The tongue is a major breeding ground for bacteria. You will want to brush it thoroughly, or scrape it off with a tongue cleaner. Antiseptic mouthwash will also reduce bacteria when used correctly: if you look at the instructions on the back, you may find that you need to gargle for a full minute to get the effect.
Saliva is another contributing factor to breath odor, as it creates a hostile environment for bacteria. While you sleep, saliva production is reduced, causing morning breath. People with chronic dry mouth will have more problems with bad breath.
While gum is normally used to mask bad breath, it can also fight it directly. Many gums use Xylitol as a sweetening agent. Unlike other sweeteners, it slows the growth of bacteria, particularly Streptococcus mutans, the main bacteria responsible for plaque and tooth decay. Cinnamon also acts as a natural antibacterial agent. Even without these ingredients, gum chewing encourages the production of saliva.
Conditions causing low blood sugar can also cause bad breath. Poorly-controlled diabetes, low carbohydrate diets, severe exercise, and starvation can deplete the body's glycogen supplies, forcing it into ketosis, a chemical process that breaks down fats to be used as fuel for the body. This results in the release of ketones in the mouth and sweat glands, which most people liken to the scent of nail polish.
 Posted 5462 day ago
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