There are few jobs as physical, dirty and smelly as picking up the garbage every week. Those big garbage trucks come lumbering down the street and there is no denying that they are dirty and smelly. These trucks can offer insight into why your breath smells bad.
It has been said that a person’s mouth is actually the dirtiest part of the body. This is undoubtedly due to the large number of bacteria that naturally grow in that moist cavity known as the mouth. While halitosis or bad breath can be a sign of a serious illness, it’s usually much more likely to be caused by something common in the garbage truck. That is, there is a direct relationship between dirty and smelly.
A clean garbage truck smells no worse than any other vehicle. It’s the dirt and decomposing debris in the little cracks and crevices that creates that distinctive smell. Unfortunately, the same thing happens with our mouth.
The mouth has a number of bacteria that begin to break down food even before it is swallowed. During chewing, tiny food particles get lodged in our gums and between our teeth. Over time, these food particles begin to break down or putrefy and cause the characteristic bad breath that is so common.
To make matters a little worse, the bacteria on our tongue build up and start to smell as well.
Good dental hygiene that includes brushing your teeth regularly and flossing between each tooth will correct most bad breath conditions. That brushing your teeth after every meal and flossing every day can go a long way to making anyone’s breath smell good.
A good way to keep your breath smelling its best is to keep your tongue clean. This is accomplished by using a terry cloth washcloth and cold water only, no soap. Take a portion of the wipe and literally wash your tongue. You will probably find it so refreshing that it will also massage the gums and cheek area inside your mouth.
While there are many products on the market, such as tongue scrapers, that promise to clean your tongue, the wipe method is the easiest and simplest to use. It also makes your mouth much more pleasant and feels fresh.
Believe it or not, what you eat has little to do with the long-term smell of your breath. Although garlic, onions, and many strong foods flavor your breath temporarily, a clean mouth is key to pleasant breath