If you have moderate to severe bad breath, you

The Do's of Halitosis

Do practice top oral care. Bacteria, germs and plaque buildup can really incubate bad breath and by brushing twice a day, flossing and using alcohol-free mouthwash at least once a day and visiting the dentist every six months, you can really improve your breath.

Do drink a lot of water. Water has numerous benefits when treating halitosis. It primarily keeps your mouth hydrated keeping xerostomia, or excessive dry mouth, at bay. Drinking water also has a natural rinsing element, removing the dental debris that makes your breath odorous.

Do brush your tongue. Tongue germs, fungi and bacteria can be a huge threat to your oral health and breath. It's important to clean your tongue every time you brush your teeth. You can clean your tongue with your regular toothbrush or with a tongue scraper or cleaner.

Do eat fruits and veggies. Snacking on crunchy fruits and vegetables are an easy and healthy way to remedy bad breath. These options can help reduce plaque and they also stimulate the salivary glands.

Do see a specialized dentist. If you think you have chronic or severe halitosis, it's a good idea to see a specialized dentist that can go over some halitosis remedies such as halitosis treatment kits.

Do chew mint, cloves or fennel seeds. Chewing on these natural herbs for a minute or so is a great way to freshen your breath and put a nice taste in your mouth.

Do seek treatment for chronic sinusitis or post nasal drip. Halitosis can be worsened by the biofilm in your mouth left behind from post nasal drip. If you have bad allergies or sinus infections, there is a good chance the two are linked.

Do consider extra oral causes of bad breath. Many cases of halitosis don't have anything to do with your mouth. Bad breath can have a root cause in diabetes, cancer, liver failure or metabolic diseases. It's important to consider your whole body when diagnosing your halitosis.

The Don'ts of Halitosis

Don't smoke. Not only is tobacco putting a 'smoky' taste in your mouth, it is also causing your mouth to dry out, which causes bacteria and yeast to buildup in your mouth.

Don't eat a lot of bad breath foods. Foods that are high in sulfur, like garlic and onions have long been known to cause bad breath. The sulfur compounds linger in your mouth and can enter your bloodstream.

Don't use halitosis-inducing medication. There are a number of known medications that can lead to dry mouth or halitosis. A few of these types of medications include Zocor, Prozac, Zoloft, Claritin and others. Be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist if a side effect of your medicine includes dry mouth or halitosis.

Don't drink alcohol or coffee in excess. Alcohol and coffee create an ideal environment for bacteria growth. They also cause dry mouth. If you drink a lot of coffee or alcohol, try cutting some out.

Don't chew too much gum. While it is not bad to chew some sugarless gum now and then, do not rely on gum as your sole halitosis-fighting agent. Excessive gum chewing can lead to temporomandibular joint disorders which leads to bad bites and tooth fractures which lead to gum damage and cavities.

Don't just focus on bad breath. If you're trying to get rid of bad breath, don't just try to cover it up! Get to the root of the problem by researching halitosis causes and determining what is causing yours.