We know that moment all too well?you?re having a great conversation with your friends, and you happen to catch a whiff of your breath. It?s hot. It?s stinky. It?s gross. You don?t want your friends to find out, so you pop in a mint and hope for the best.
Having the case of bad breath is never fun. Luckily, in most cases, we know the triggers. For instance, eating garlic and not brushing your teeth are obvious reasons?but there are a few bad breath culprits that aren?t so well-known.
Check out these surprising reasons for your stinky breath and find out how to solve them.
You Have Tonsil Stones
The National Center for Biotechnology Information reported that 75 percent of patients with high amounts of sulfur (which is a leading cause of bad breath) in their mouth had tonsil stones. If you?re not familiar, tonsil stones are a mixture of bacteria and debris that settle in the back of the throat and collect in small pockets on the tonsils. The cure" Use baking soda. ?Gargle with baking soda to help remove bacteria,? says NYC-Based Cosmetic Dentist, Dr. Marc Lowenberg. ?The alkaline works by eliminating the acidity in your mouth.?
MORE: The Best Foods to Eat For White Teeth
Breath Fresheners
According to the American Chemical Society, the sugar in mints can make the bacteria in our mouth grow. Mints and breath fresheners are great for temporarily masking bad breath, but not for the long run. If you must use mints, opt for the sugar-free type. And, as Lowenberg suggests, use...