There’s nothing worse than the thought that you may have bad breath (halitosis). It can happen after eating a particularly garlicky meal, or something heavy in raw onion. It can happen on a warm day when your mouth dries out and starts to taste foul, and it can also strike when you have a cold and have to breathe through your mouth.
Whatever the cause, it precipitates a lot of social embarrassment and the need to cover your mouth when talking. The most annoying thing is that it’s almost impossible to tell how bad the issue is.
So, here are a few tips for diagnosing your own problem and addressing it if need be.
5 Ways to Tell If You Have Halitosis
Halitosis, or bad breath, can have many signs, including: To determine if you have halitosis (bad breath), consider these methods:- Ask Someone You Trust: Request a friend or family member to check your breath.
- Wrist Test: Lick your wrist, let it dry, then smell it to detect any odor.
- Breath into Your Hands: Cupping your hands over your mouth and nose, then breathing out, can help you smell your breath.
- Use a Tongue Scraper: Gently scrape your tongue and smell the scraper for any bad odor.
- Check for Symptoms: Look for signs like a white coating on your tongue, a persistent bad taste, or dry mouth.
Get A Trusted Confidante
The easiest way to check the odour of your breath is to ask a close friend or colleague to conduct a sniff test. You want someone that will be honest with you, so just give a little puff and see what they say. You can also ask them to check the colour of your tongue. If they notice a white coating, this could be a sign that you have a bacteria problem. The next step is to go and see a dentist. They will be able to conduct the best sniff test and check for signs of bacteria or any other problems that could create halitosis. They will also be able to develop a specific treatment for your needs.The Self-Sniff Test
If you can’t find a trustworthy candidate, or you need the test done quickly, you can do it yourself. Just lick the back of your wrist, let it dry for a second and then smell the spot. Another test is to floss between your back teeth and smell the floss. If you have a tongue scraper, scrape your tongue and have a smell. All of these tests will give you a fair idea of what everyone else is smelling.Trust Your Taste Buds
If you can taste something terrible, chances are your breath will also smell bad. This is particularly true if you’ve eaten something pungent. It can also be true if you’re suffering from dehydration or dry mouth in which your saliva becomes foamy and changes flavour. A stale taste in your mouth is also a sign of bad breath. If you notice any of these tastes, swill your mouth with water. This will remove any smelly debris and kickstart saliva production – saliva is essential in neutralising bacteria and therefore, odour.How to Stop Worrying About Your Breath
If you want to neutralise bad breath, there are several things you can do:- Brush twice a day, once before eating and once after your last meal of the day
- Floss at least daily to remove bacteria and debris from between teeth
- Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated
- Use ADA-approved mouthwash
- Avoid pungent foods in social situations
- Visit your dentist at least twice a year for a hygienist appointment, including a scale and clean to completely rid your mouth of bacteria
Dr. Anna Chau, BDSc (Hons) from the University of Melbourne, is a skilled dentist in Camberwell with 18 years of experience in both private and public practices. She has specialized training in cosmetic, implant, and laser dentistry and has taught at her alma mater. Dr. Anna Chau is committed to advancing dental care and promoting healthy habits among children through local volunteer work.