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by Shirley Bragg
for About.com

Bad Breath... Me?

If you had bad breath, wouldn't you know ?

Have you ever wondered if you could possibly have bad breath? You know the kind of breath I'm talking about. I'm talking REALLY BAD BREATH but, if it was really was that bad, wouldn't you know?

Apparently not! That explains why the person who sat next to you on the bus, had no idea that their breath was bad enough to make you hold yours. Sad but true.

So where does bad breath actually come from? Actually, it comes from your mouth and not your stomach, my research tells me. It comes down to millions and millions of bacteria literally stuck to your tongue and your teeth. You can thank the worst odor to the bacteria that is dying in your mouth. Nice thought don't you think?

What Can You Do

There are lots of things that you can do to prevent your breath from embarrassing you. Here's a list to consider.

  • Brush your teeth after each meal especially after you have eaten eggs, onions, milk products or coffee.
  • While brushing, don't forget the back of the tongue. Food particles often get trapped in the folds of the tongue. And yes, there are folds back there.
  • Floss often. Food trapped between your teeth can cause odor as well.
  • There are special mouthwashes on the market that can help with the problem.
  • Drink more water.
  • Chew sugarless gum.
If none of these tips help, it might be a good idea to consult your dentist. You could have broken or cracked fillings.

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