Tips to overcome bad breath in Ramadan

CAIRO – 31 May 2017: Bad breath in Ramadan is a social menace. Many people have experienced it either themselves or from others. It affects productivity and self-confidence and it also affects others. The fasting person may feel embarrassed at times because of the bad breath resulting from the length of fasting, and the lack of water and food during the fasting hours.

The good news is that taking care of oral hygiene to the best we can help you overcome this issue and enjoy a smell free Ramadan. We present the following tips that together can contribute to eliminating bad breath whilst fasting during this holey month.

Clean the tongue

With a brush of a special tongue scraper, gently clean your tongue and wipe off the bacterial biolfilm, debris, and mucus twice a day. This will keep bad breath in control.

Brush Regularly or use Miswak

Twice a day brush your teeth thoroughly for at least four minutes each time. Brushing cleans the teeth and gum especially after consuming milk products, fish and meat, fFocus on the time after suhur. It is also advisable for you to use an antiseptic mouthwash each time you brush your teeth.

You can also use Miswak during the day. The miswak is a teeth cleaning twig made from a twig of the Salvadora persica tree, also known as the arak tree (or peelu tree.). It is effective in keeping your oral hygiene and keeping a healthy mouth as well.

Also you can chew a sugar-free chewing gum in the time between breakfast and suhoor, it stimulates saliva.

Floss

If you floss daily you will be able to reach the areas between your teeth and get rid of leftover food in places where the brush cannot reach. Choose unscented floss and clean carefully.

Drink lots of Water before and after fasting

The dryness of the mouth causes bad breath, to reduce this you have to drink plenty of water and fluids in the evening after fasting and during suhur time.

Eat fruits and vegetables

Focus on fruits and vegetables that contain large amounts of vitamin C to stimulate blood circulation in the gums. You can eat green salad, rich in parsley and green mint leaves or just eat oranges, strawberry, kiwi and lemon juice. This helps kill bacteria that cause bad breath, and also help to freshen the mouth.

Don’t smoke

Smoking leave the teeth coated with a thick layer of tartar that increases the risk of gum diseases. In addition, the chemicals in tobacco smoke remain in the mouth and contributes to creating bad breath.

Drink aromatic beverages

Drink cinnamon, aniseed, and green tea or chew cardamom seeds, beetroot seeds and carnation rind. This will help keep an aroma breath.

Visit your dentist regularly

Regular care of your teeth and visits to the dentist are essential. This is the only way you can detect cavities, broken fillings and spacing between the teeth or pockets that allow food to pack and cause bad breath.

Bad breath is not incurable and it is not a cosmetic issue. It usually results from disease of the gums and other structures supporting teeth, ill-fitting dentures, carious teeth, metabolic activity of bacteria in plaque or putrefaction of sulfide-yielding food (proteins), etc.

We should care of our oral hygiene and enjoy healthy teeth and gums!