Oral hygiene and the fresh breath associated with it are part of healthy, daily habits. Over time, poor dental care will cause mouth odor. The foods we eat contribute to bad breath, too. However, bad breath may be a symptom of a health condition or a side effect of a medication. Most people aren't aware of the fact that over 50% of the bacteria found in the human mouth contributes to bad breath. Every year on August 6, the world celebrates Fresh Breath Day, this day is observed to educate and make people aware of these and other factors related to having Fresh Breath. We at Medicircle are conducting an exclusive series on this Fresh Breath Day to create awareness regarding oral hygiene and oral care amongst the general public.

Dr. Pranjan Mitra is the Co-founder and Chief Medical officer of Denta Mitra. He has more than 50 scientific research papers to his credits. He has been in the field of dentistry for 8+ years and is a guide to aspiring BDS and MDS students. He is a recipient of the Indian Health Professional Awards in 2017 for the Category – Excellence in Public Health Dentistry and was also nominated for the Rural Dental Service Award Category.

Dr. Pranjan says, "Everyone should brush twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste. You should know the right technique to brush and should brush accordingly. Time of brushing is very important. First, you need to brush as soon as you get up in the morning, and second, you have to brush at night just before going to sleep with fluoridated toothpaste.” 

Dr. Pranjan advises, "We should not chew chewing gums for a long time. Many Indians have the habit of having sweets right after a meal. We generally take paan or flavored fennel. But ideally, this should be avoided. But if you want to munch something, there are sugar-free chewing gums available in the market, you can have them. 

Dr. Pranjan adds, “People should avoid eating any sugary thing after the meal. You can have fennel or carom seeds, as these are good for digestion.”

Dr. Pranjan mentions, "Problem of bad breath is very common among all age groups and both genders. To avoid bad breath, we need to brush as early as we get up in the morning. Regular brushing twice a day is required. Visit a dentist every 3 months and take proper dental check-ups. Rinsing is very important. After eating anything, we should rinse our mouth. All these are very important for maintaining oral hygiene.”

Speaking about home remedies Dr. Pranjan suggests, "One should gargle with salt in warm water. You can keep a clove in your mouth. It refreshes your mouth and has an astringent taste. You can also use apple cider vinegar syrup. One can prepare mouthwash at home – Take 1 cup of warm water, to this add ½ teaspoon of cinnamon, honey, and baking powder. Keep the mixture as it is for some time, mouthwash is ready. You can use this as and when required.”

(Edited by Renu Gupta)