How do I know if I have bad breath? And what do I do?

How do I know if I have bad breath? And what do I do?

Isn’t it better to know that you have bad breath, rather than be told that you have bad breath? There are a few ways to test the smell of your breath, and a few things that you can do about bad breath if you have it.

Testing Your Breath

  1.  The Wrist Test – This is a tried and true breath tester. Simply lick the inside of your wrist, let it dry for more than five seconds, and smell it. This is an indicator of how your breath smells to others
  2. Bad Taste – Is there a bad taste in your mouth? If there is, your breath could be off-putting to others.
  3. Your Tongue – There are two ways to test your breath with your tongue. The first is to stand in front of a mirror and stick out your tongue as far as you can. If there is a white-coloured film on your tongue, you may have bad breath due to the bacteria that lingers on that film. Another way of testing the bacteria on your tongue is to get a spoon and gently scrape the back of your tongue. If there is a whitish coating, your breath will most likely smell bad.
  4. Ask!  – Ask someone that you trust for an honest assessment of your breath’s smell. It’s better to be told by someone you trust rather than tonight’s date!

These are at-home tests that you can use before that big job interview or that first date. However, the most accurate measure of the smell of your breath is a halimeter test. A halimeter is a dental instrument that tests your breath and saliva for the concentration of sulphide in your breath, and is the most honest way to test your breath’s smell.

What Can You Do?

  1.  Brush Twice A Day – Brushing twice a day can really help to remove that bad odour from your breath, but don’t forget to brush your tongue too!
  2. Floss Daily – Flossing is a must. Flossing helps remove those foods that get stuck between your teeth, and helps you to avoid periodontal disease, which is a common cause of bad breath.
  3. Drink Water – A dry mouth can cause bad breath, so it’s important to keep the liquid intake high

You should also see your dentist every six months for an oral exam and teeth cleaning. They will be able to identify any issues with your oral health that may lead to bad breath, and prevent it before it becomes a problem.

At Somerset Dental, our dentists are committed to ensuring that your dental health goals are met, and that includes the smell of your breath. Contact Somerset Dental for great dental care today!

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