Did you know that saliva plays a huge role in protecting our mouth and decreasing bacteria growth? And when the flow is dormant, just like when we’re sleeping, there is less protection against harmful bacteria—resulting in bad breath.
Have you wondered why your breath smells notably stronger when fasting during Ramadan? Don’t worry; you’re not alone. It’s a pretty common occurrence. And while we can’t stop our breath from smelling bad, there are a few things we can do to reduce the smell.
Who Is More Likely To Get Fasting Bad Breath?
Essentially, anyone who’s practising any form of food abstinence!
It could be someone doing intermediate fasting or any form of fasting that isn’t religious. People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing bad breath while fasting. This is because their saliva contains more glucose, which encourages the growth of germs and other related illnesses. So, how do you get rid of fasting breath? Read on to find out!
5 Tips To Keep Your Breath Fresh During Ramadan
1. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate !
Like we’ve said before, the easiest thing you can do is to drink lots of water. But of course drinking water is not an option while fasting, so what you can do is to keep drinking water throughout the night. This flushes out food particles from your mouth, keeps the body hydrated and replaces lost fluids.
In fact, the lack of water intake gives a bad taste in your mouth while fasting. Your mouth becomes dry when you don’t drink fluids for long periods of time, decreasing saliva production. Swallowing your saliva does not count!
Also, another tip to keep hydrated is to eat water-rich fruits such as watermelon during sahur and iftar to help to keep your mouth hydrated for longer.
2. Avoid Coffee
If you’re like us, coffee is fuel. Unfortunately, it’s encouraged to avoid drinking coffee during Ramadan. Coffee’s acidity lowers the mouth’s pH, stimulating bacteria that cause bad breath.
Do you often reach for water after a cup of coffee? That’s because coffee tends to dry out your mouth. And, because it’s a diuretic, it’ll make you frequent the toilet more and lose vital fluids your body needs to last throughout the day. If you really can’t go without a cuppa, try black coffee without sugar, as sugar increases thirst.
3. Floss, Gargle & Brush
A clean mouth is a fresh mouth. Brushing and flossing can help eliminate any stubborn food particles that may have become trapped between your teeth. You should wait 30 minutes after you’ve eaten. Saliva needs time to neutralise the pH level in the mouth to protect gums and teeth from damage.
So don’t forget to floss and brush your teeth after sahur in the morning and buka puasa in the evening!
Smile Tip: Gargle for at least 30 seconds with 20ml of ZenyumFresh™ Breath Shield mouthwash to feel extra minty fresh, and clean!
4. Scrape Your Tongue
Brushing teeth comes naturally to many, but some often neglect cleaning their tongue. This simple routine can be advantageous to your general oral health. Your tongue accumulates as much bacteria as your teeth, so it definitely needs the same care as the rest of its counterparts. Take a look in the mirror and stick your tongue out. If it’s white, it means it needs a brush!
Smile Tip: Did you know that the back of our ZenyumSonic™ toothbrush head acts as a tongue scraper? This means that you can brush and scrape your tongue at the same time without the need to change tools. How handy!
5. Put Down The Cigs
We understand it’s easier said than done, but smoking after you buka puasa will make your breath extra smelly. Like coffee, tobacco can cause your mouth to dry up. This increases the acid in your mouth and causes PH levels to drop, encouraging bacteria growth, aka bad breath bonanza.
Besides, smoking can cause the teeth and gums to develop plaque, which isn’t ideal for your teeth in the long run. It might be difficult not to reach for a pack as soon as you’re done with fasting for the day, but try to avoid it as best as you can for a few weeks. You’ve got this!
Can I Get Rid Of Bad Breath Permanently?
The short answer is no. But if you practise good oral hygiene and incorporate it into your daily ritual, you’ll reduce the likelihood of having yucky breath throughout the fasting month.
This applies to those who aren’t fasting as well! Practising good oral hygiene in everyday life is very important. Besides the tips we’ve provided above, other things you can do to prevent bad breath and Smile More are:
- Watch what you eat and drink.
- Visit your dentist regularly.
- Stay hydrated.
- Practise good dental hygiene.
With these tips we’ve shared, you’ll now be able to combat fasting breath in a jiffy! Start your New Smile Ritual in time for Raya to Smile More.
We wish all our Muslim readers an amazing Ramadan! Ramadan Mubarak, everyone!
