It's embarrassing to have bad breath. You may be in contact with other people without even realizing that you have a bad smell coming out of your mouth until a brave friend - or, worse still, the person you like or are with - tells you that you have pestilential breath. Fortunately, there are several "breath tests" you can do yourself to find out what it smells like. These methods may not tell you exactly how others are feeling it, but they should give you a good idea.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Smell the Saliva
Step 1. Lick the inside of the wrist
Wait 5-10 seconds until the saliva has dried. Try to do it discreetly, when you are alone and not in a public place, otherwise there is a risk that people around you will look dazed. Do not perform this test after brushing your teeth, using mouthwash, or eating something mint-flavored, as a freshly cleaned mouth can give inaccurate results.
Step 2. Smell the inside of your wrist where the saliva has dried
The smell you will smell is roughly that of the breath. If it sounds unpleasant, you will probably need to improve your oral hygiene. If it doesn't leave any odor, then it's possible it's not that bad, although maybe you need to try another test to be sure.
- Note that with this method you take a sample of saliva mainly from the tip (front) of the tongue, which usually cleans itself. Therefore, by sniffing the licked wrist, you will go to evaluate the least smelly part of the tongue, when bad breath tends to come mostly from the back of the mouth, where the throat begins.
- You can get rid of saliva deposited on your wrist by washing it, but don't worry if you don't have water or a sanitizing product available, as the smell will quickly disappear as the skin dries.
- If your breath problem isn't that bad, you probably won't be able to smell it well. If you're still unsure, consider using another method to be safer.
Step 3. Try dabbing the back of the tongue
Use a finger or cotton gauze to reach the deepest area of the mouth, without overdoing it, otherwise you risk regurgitation, and lightly rub your tool on the surface of the tongue, at the back of the mouth. It will absorb a portion of the bacteria that cause bad breath and that lurk in that area. Smell the swab (whether it's your finger or gauze) to get a better idea of the smell in the back of your mouth.
- This method can detect bad breath more accurately than the previous one. Chronic bad breath is caused by the proliferation of bacteria on the tongue and between the teeth. Most of them collect in the back of the mouth. The tip of the tongue, on the other hand, can clean itself with the same ease with which it is possible to regularly wash the front area of the mouth compared to the back one.
- Try rinsing your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash - that is, shaking it from the front and back - to keep bacteria from lurking on the back of your tongue. Therefore, if you can, gargle some mouthwash to keep the bacteria responsible for bad breath from flowing into your throat. When brushing your teeth, try to brush even the most behind, but also your tongue and gums.
Part 2 of 4: Smell the Breath Directly
Step 1. Cover your nose and mouth with both hands
Place your hands in the shape of a cup so that the breath through the mouth flows into the nose. Slowly exhale using your mouth and, immediately afterwards, inhale through your nose the hot air that comes out. By doing this, you will be able to notice if your breath is particularly foul-smelling. However, be aware that if air escapes quickly through the cracks in your fingers, it will be difficult to get an accurate diagnosis with this method. Nonetheless, it is one of the more discreet ways to check if you have bad breath among people.
Step 2. Breathe into a clean glass or plastic container
Take a deep breath, then hold the container so that it covers both your nose and mouth, allowing the outside air to penetrate only minimally and get a precise response. Slowly exhale through your mouth, filling the glass with warm air. Breathe in quickly and deeply through your nose - you should be able to smell your breath by now.
- This method may give you slightly more precise results than the previous one, but its accuracy largely depends on how well the vessel can hold the air you exhale.
- You can do this with any tool capable of trapping the breath by sending it from the mouth to the nose: a small piece of paper or a plastic bag, a tight-fitting mask or any other suitable tool to hold the air expelled from the mouth near the face..
- Make sure you rinse the container before breathing back into it. Wash it with water and detergent before storing it or using it for other purposes.
Step 3. Get a more accurate result
Avoid doing these tests right after brushing your teeth, rinsing your mouth with mouthwash, or eating something mint-flavored. You can certainly improve your breath with these tricks, but keep in mind that the smell of your mouth immediately after brushing your teeth does not necessarily remain unchanged over time. Try to smell your breath at different times: right after brushing your teeth, but also during the day, when you are most likely to meet someone, so you can better understand the difference. Be aware that your breath can get worse after eating spicy foods.
Part 3 of 4: Ask Someone
Step 1. Consider asking a trusted friend or family member if you have bad breath
You can try to smell it, but you can also get a rough idea of how someone else feels it. The best way to know for sure is to put aside any kind of embarrassment and ask, "Be honest. Do I have bad breath?"
- Choose someone you trust, someone who won't go around telling people and who is honest about your request. Ask a close friend for this favor who will surely not judge you. However, avoid asking the person you like or hang out with or you risk turning off their desire. Don't reach out to strangers unless you're feeling particularly brave.
- It may seem embarrassing at first, but you may feel tremendously relieved by getting an opinion from a trusted person. It is better to receive it from a close friend than from someone you wish to kiss.
Step 2. Be respectful
Don't breathe straight into someone's face and say, "What's the breath like?" Raise the subject gently and always ask permission before doing this test. If you spend a lot of time in close contact with someone, chances are they have already noticed this problem, but they may be too polite and kind to report it to you.
- Try saying, "I'm afraid I have bad breath, but I'm not sure. It's embarrassing, but have you noticed anything?"
- You can also put it this way: "It might seem like a strange question, but do I have bad breath? I have to take Sandra to the movies tonight and I'd rather tackle this problem now than wait for her to notice it."
Part 4 of 4: Fighting Bad Breath
Step 1. Find out if you have morning or chronic bad breath
Check your breath in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening, before and after brushing your teeth, to see if it is a persistent problem. If you know the cause, you can take some steps to fix the problem.
- Bad breath in the morning is a normal phenomenon. You can fix this by brushing your teeth, flossing, and rinsing your mouth with mouthwash immediately after waking up.
- Bad breath is a symptom of more severe bacterial attack, but it is common and treatable. To fight it, you need to keep your mouth clean and keep the bacteria responsible for the bad smell at bay.
- The most common causes of bad breath are tooth decay, periodontal disease, poor oral hygiene and a white tongue (which occurs when it has a white or yellow coating on the surface, usually produced by some inflammation). If you can't tell by inspecting your mouth, your dentist should be able to tell you what causes bad breath.
- If someone tells you that your breath isn't that good, don't be embarrassed. See his opinion as constructive criticism.
Step 2. Maintain good oral hygiene
Brush your teeth more carefully, gargle with antibacterial mouthwash, floss your teeth to prevent plaque and bacteria from building up. Drink plenty of water, shaking it a little in your mouth, to freshen your breath in the morning.
- It is very important to brush your teeth before going to bed. You could try brushing them further using baking soda to reduce the acidity in the mouth and hinder the proliferation of the bacteria that cause this problem.
- Use a tongue scraper (available at many drugstores) to remove any residue that may develop between the taste buds and tongue folds. If you don't have one, you can use your toothbrush and brush your tongue gently.
- Replace your toothbrush every two to three months. The effectiveness of the bristles decreases over time and the toothbrush may accumulate bacteria. Replace it after you get sick, so you don't provide the bacteria with a place to collect.
Step 3. Eat foods that produce good breath and avoid those that don't
Foods like apples, ginger, fennel seeds, berries, vegetables, melons, cinnamon and green tea promote good breath, so try to incorporate some of these into your diet. At the same time, try to avoid or limit foods that cause bad breath, such as onions, garlic, coffee, beer, sugar, and cheese.
Step 4. Talk to your doctor about your gastrointestinal health
Poor gastrointestinal health could be the cause of your bad breath. You may be suffering from a peptic ulcer, H. pylori infection, or reflux. Your doctor can help you treat any existing problems and suggest strategies for maintaining a healthier bowel.
Step 5. Take care of your nose
Allergies, sinusitis, and nasopharyngeal drip can all cause bad breath, so you should do your best to prevent and treat these ailments. Keep the nasal passages clean and treat allergies before they escalate.
- A neti pot can be very useful for flushing away mucus buildup from the nose.
- Drinking warm water with lemon, using saline nasal drops, and taking vitamin C are all things that can help relieve a stuffy nose.
- When taking vitamin C, follow the dosage recommendations on the package. Adults should not exceed 2000 mg of vitamin C per day.
Step 6. Eat healthy
In addition to eating foods that promote fresh breath, following a healthy diet in general can nip bad breath in the bud. Cut back on processed foods, red meats, and cheeses. Focus on consuming high-fiber foods like oatmeal, flaxseed, and kale.
You should also incorporate probiotic foods such as kefir, kimchi, and plain yogurt (possibly unsweetened) into your diet
Step 7. Neutralize bad breath
Chew gum, eat some breath mints, or use Listerine strips before interacting in sensitive social situations. Ultimately, you could get to the root of the problem by eliminating it permanently, but it wouldn't be a bad idea to freshen your breath in the meantime. Bring chewing gum with you.
- Chew a handful of cloves, fennel seeds, or aniseed. Their antiseptic qualities help fight the bacteria that cause bad breath.
- Chew a piece of lemon or orange zest to freshen your mouth, preferably washed. Citric acid stimulates the salivary glands and fights bad breath.
- Chew a sprig of parsley, basil, mint, or cilantro. The chlorophyll contained in these plants neutralizes bad odors.
Step 8. Avoid using tobacco products
If you need a reason to break this habit, here's a pretty simple one: Smoking promotes bad breath. In fact, tobacco tends to dry out the mouth and can leave an unpleasant odor that does not disappear even after brushing the teeth.
Step 9. Talk to your dentist about this problem
Visit your dentist regularly to maintain proper oral hygiene. If you have chronic bad breath, it can rule out dental problems such as tooth decay, gum disease and white tongue.
If you believe that systemic (internal) disease, such as an infection, may be causing the problem, you will probably be advised to see your doctor or other specialist
Advice
- Keep mints, chewing gum or Listerine strips handy in case of an emergency. They cover bad breath, even though they don't actually fight the bacteria that cause it. Therefore, use them as a temporary remedy, not as a cure.
- If you want to get rid of bad breath in the morning, drink a glass of water before bed and brush your teeth. Try to keep yourself well hydrated, as morning bad breath is caused by dry mouth.
- Brush your teeth thoroughly, use dental floss and mouthwash for a pleasant breath. After brushing your teeth, lightly rub your toothbrush on the surface of your tongue and palate. Don't neglect the language.
- A spoonful of honey and cinnamon a day can help eliminate this problem. Consuming parsley can prevent the stomach from producing bad odors.
- Brush your teeth thoroughly after each meal to prevent food debris from getting stuck between your teeth.
Warnings
- Try not to get regurgitation! Don't go too deep, reaching the beginning of the throat. It's annoying!
- Be careful not to introduce harmful bacteria into your mouth. Make sure your fingers, gauze, containers, and other items are clean if you bring them into close contact with your mouth. Pathogenic bacteria can even make the problem worse.
