When fasting, the body gets various benefits such as the opportunity to rest for the digestive organs and improve the digestive tract regeneration process.
However, fasting also poses a risk of dehydration which causes dryness and decreased endurance. This condition increases the risk of bacterial infection in the oral cavity which can cause sore throat and canker sores. Not to mention the bad breath that arises from not eating and drinking for a long time.
Here are 5 tips worth trying to prevent bad breath, canker sores, and sore throats:
1.Avoid strong-smelling foods at suhoor to prevent bad breath. Also avoid foods that are too spicy, oily, or coconut milk to keep the throat clean and not itchy. Prioritize fresh vegetables and fruits to keep your body fit and healthy.
2. Drink lots of water at suhoor and iftar so that the mouth is not too dry. The drier the mouth, the higher the chance of bad breath.
3. Brush your teeth so that there are no food residues that can cause odor and use dental floss to ensure all food debris is removed. Do not forget to also clean the tongue to the base of the tongue. At the base of the tongue is usually attached mucus that smells if not cleaned.
4. Eating oranges or drinking lemon water can increase the production of saliva so that the mouth does not dry out. Drinking lemon water with honey can be an option if you don't like the sour taste. As an alternative, green tea is also good to consume during fasting because it can help clean bacteria in the respiratory tract area.
5. Gargle and gargle with mouthwash every before bed and after suhoor to maintain oral hygiene.