Prior to purchasing commercial mouthwash and toothpaste, you need to know a few things. The first thing to remember is that there’s a big difference between masking bad breath with stronger scents and really getting rid of it.

It doesn’t matter how many mouthwashes you use and how many Altoids you suck on, you still have bad breath after some time. So what’s the best course of action? Would it be better to just give up and suffer forever, or would it be better to suck on fresh mint candies every half hour? 

Even though the candy part sounds good, it is not a permanent solution or a feasible option. So what should you do? Well, there are ways in which you can combat foul smells from your mouth. But first, it is important to know the cause of it.

So, in this article, we will be going to discuss whether it is possible to get rid of bad breath permanently. If yes, how?

What is the Cause of Bad Breath?

Before jumping to the solution, let us see the cause. Bacteria exist in our mouths, and we cannot get rid of them all, but the reason you have bad breath is that you are creating an environment that encourages them to overpopulate.

Bacteria can grow in and around your teeth as food particles break down, causing a foul odor. Your body must produce enough saliva, and you must follow your oral hygiene routine regularly to lower these odor-producing bacteria in your mouth.

Apart from above mentioned reason, there are various other  things that contribute to a foul smell in the mouth:

• Onions and raw garlic, for example, can cause weird breath due to the substances they release after being broken down in the stomach and entering the lungs.
• Foul breath and gum disease can be caused by smoking and chewing tobacco.
• Nose or throat diseases like sinusitis, tonsillitis, and rhinitis cause post-nasal discharge, which can create bad breath. 
• A dry mouth causes decreased salivation, and due to this salivary gland disorder, you can experience xerostomia or dry mouth, which contributes to foul breath.

How Can You Get Rid of Bad Breath Permanently?

It is possible to get rid of bad breath. You can easily take some precautionary measures to reduce and completely get rid of foul smell from your mouth. 

As mentioned above, there could be various reasons to experience a foul smell from the mouth, and let’s be honest, it does not make a good impression on others. So, here are a few tips that will help you always keep your breath fresh:

• You must brush your teeth twice a day. In the morning, after getting out of bed, and after dinner at night, dentists recommend brushing your teeth twice daily.
• When you floss, you remove food particles stuck between your teeth, so floss at least once a day.
• Your tongue is home to thousands of bacteria so you must not forget to use a tongue cleaner. Tongue scrapers help clean the tongue and prevent bad breath. 
• Clean your dental fittings if you wear any. A cleaning solution must be applied daily to dental implants and dentures before putting them in your mouth.
• Use mouthwash. You can find over-the-counter mouthwashes that can fight and hide foul breath (such as mint-flavored ones).
• You should replace your toothbrush frequently. Whenever the bristles on your old brush become frayed or after 3-4 months, you should replace them.
• Having a foul smell is also linked to eating a lot of sugary foods. Choose sugar-free candy or chewing gum instead of sugary candies. As a result, you will be able to produce more saliva and prevent a bad odor from emanating from your mouth.

Lastly, apart from all these tips, it is necessary to see your dentist and get your dental checkup done if the bad breath is not going because it can lead to serious oral health issues.