'I'm a dentist – there's simple way to check why you're getting bad breath'

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If you're concerned about your breath not being fresh, there's a simple trick to check it yourself. We all aspire for minty fresh breath constantly, yet we know that's unrealistic.

While it's true your breath may not always be mint-fresh, it could still be inoffensive, and one dentist has sounded the alarm over three culprits that might be sullying your breath.

But how can you discern if your breath isn't as fresh as you'd like without mortifying yourself by asking others? One strategy from a dental expert on TikTok page @chelseadentalclinic is straightforward.

"Well, first of all, you can do a really simple test. You can literally get your hand, breathe on it, and smell it", she suggests, then asks, "Does it smell?"

Social media users also advise licking the back of your hand, waiting a few seconds, and then giving it a sniff, while some propose the spoon-licking test to catch any unpleasant odours.

The same dentist added: "Another thing is, you could actually ask a friend or family member - they could probably be honest with you", acknowledging many might find this too awkward.

She elaborated: "Bad breath is also known as halitosis and can happen for a number of reasons. One, it could happen because you're not brushing properly, so bacteria harbouring in your teeth and gums can cause this odour.

"Two, it could also be down to gut problems, so sometimes if you have problems with your gut, the gases from your stomach and so forth can come out through the mouth.

"Three, if you've got something like a denture or a crown that's not fitted properly, or it's got lots of fungal infections, that can smell too". She then advised people to "see a dentist" regularly, particularly if they're worried about their breath.

The NHS outlined "the best way of making sure you do not have bad breath is to keep your teeth, tongue and mouth clean."

They shared a list of things you should be doing to reach maximum oral hygiene:

• Gently brush your teeth and gums at least twice a day for 2 minutes
• Use a fluoride toothpaste
• Gently clean your tongue once a day using a tongue scraper or cleaner
• Clean between your teeth with interdental brushes or floss at least once a day
• Get regular dental check-ups
• Keep dentures clean and remove them at night
• Use sugar-free mints or chewing gum after having strong-smelling food and drinks
• Try using an antibacterial mouthwash or toothpaste

Conversely, they shared things you should not be doing if you want fresh breath:

• Do not smoke
• Do not rinse your mouth with water straight after brushing your teeth
• Do not have lots of sugary foods and drinks
• Do not brush so hard that your gums or tongue bleed

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