{"id":1334,"date":"2021-01-29T07:22:42","date_gmt":"2021-01-28T19:22:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.citydentists.co.nz\/dental-blog\/oral-health-wellbeing\/5-quick-fixes-to-fighting-halitosis\/"},"modified":"2025-03-01T16:24:36","modified_gmt":"2025-03-01T04:24:36","slug":"5-quick-fixes-to-fighting-halitosis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.citydentists.co.nz\/dental-blog\/5-quick-fixes-to-fighting-halitosis\/","title":{"rendered":"5 quick fixes to fighting halitosis"},"content":{"rendered":"

While no two smiles may be exactly the same, everyone can relate to halitosis in one form or another. The fancy term for bad breath, halitosis is a major turn-off that is not only embarrassing for the person that has it \u2014 sometimes without their even realising it until it’s too late \u2014 but highly unpleasant for the individual who must endure it. Granted, most people are polite, and will tolerate the odour. But you can just about guarantee that the funky aroma will be noticed. This can create a negative initial impression of the breather during all-important job interviews or sit-down business meetings with clients and colleagues.<\/p>\n

The best way to staunch the stench of bad breath is brushing and flossing consistently, ideally right after meals. However, few people carry oral care kits with them everywhere they go. So what’s the solution to these stinky situations? If you’re one of the 50% of people around the world who suffers from halitosis on a regular basis (according to research data<\/a>), here are a few good ways to fight back against bad breath.<\/p>\n

1. Chew gum<\/strong>
\nThis is perhaps the easiest way to virtually eliminate bad breath on the spot. Although halitosis can stem from a variety of issues, such as gum disease, it’s typically attributable to food residue that remains stuck to the teeth. Chewing gum<\/a> can dislodge food particles from your teeth by naturally increasing the amount of saliva in your mouth. Additionally, many gum brands these days have long-lasting flavours, so the fresh scent will help keep your breath smelling better. Try to avoid sugar-laden gums and chew the kind that has xylitol as a key ingredient. Besides the fact that the flavours typically don’t last as long, sugar-based gums can contribute to tooth decay and may themselves actually be sources of malodorous bacteria.<\/p>\n

2. Avoid pungent foods<\/strong>
\nThere is nothing quite like walking into a restaurant or kitchen and smelling the delightful aroma of simmered garlic, onion or chopped up scallions. It really whets the appetite. The problem is these same delicious foods are so bold in flavour that they produce equally strong scents that can linger in your mouth long after you’ve eaten and digested them. If you’re prone to halitosis, try to avoid eating these foods. Here are a few others you may want to steer clear of before a date or heading to bed:<\/p>\n