8 Effective Ways to Beat Bad Breath
8 Effective Ways To Beat Bad Breath
Bad breath is something that everyone has experienced, and obviously no one ever really wants to have it on a frequent basis. That’s why it’s important to learn simple and efficient ways to get rid of it. Whether you’re suffering from this common condition or you want to prevent from having it, make sure to try these simple steps to have a clean and healthy oral health.
1. Brush and Floss
Every time we eat and drink, plaque builds up in our teeth. The plaque then collects bacteria that causes bad breath. That’s why it’s best to brush immediately after you eat.
Food trapped in between our teeth can also cause bad breath. Make sure to floss at least once a day; however, don’t overdo flossing and brushing to avoid wearing down your teeth which can make it susceptible to decay.
2. Scrape your tongue
Yes, your tongue also plays a significant role in ensuring tip-top oral health. Your tongue’s coating can be a rich environment for smelly bacteria. After brushing your teeth, make sure to brush your tongue gently.
If you’re uncomfortable brushing your tongue, you can also use a scraper. These are designed to clean your tongue and remove the bacteria and even dead cells which cannot easily be removed by brushing.
3. Don’t forget to rinse your mouth
Simply rinsing your mouth can also go a long way. Rinse with your mouthwash to freshen your breath and get rid of bacteria. It’s important that your mouthwash gives you more than just fresh breath. This means that it doesn’t only get rid the smell, but it also effectively cleans and protects your mouth.
4. Chew sugarless gum instead of mints
Remember that sugar is bacteria’s best friend. They love sugar and use it to make acid which is what deteriorates your teeth. So make sure to drop the mints and replace it with sugarless gum.
Gum is also the best option because it stimulates the saliva. For those who don’t know, saliva is our mouth’s natural defense mechanism against plaque acids.
5. Make sure your gums are healthy, too
I know you’ve heard a lot about gum disease; however, this doesn’t only harm our gums, it can also cause bad breath. How? Bacteria can also live in our gum pockets that house the base of our teeth. These bacteria then create bad odor that causes bad breath.
This is why you shouldn’t skip your dental appointment. If you have gum disease, you need to see a Periodontist to treat it.
6. Stop smoking
We all know that smoking is dangerous to our health. However, aside from gum damage and teeth stain, tobacco smoking also causes bad breath. Yikes!
If you need help quitting, see a doctor immediately.
7. Avoid food that can stink your breath
The most common food culprits for bad breath are garlic and onion. And have you noticed that you can’t get rid of the smell even after brushing?
It’s because their smell makes its way into our bloodstream and travels to our lungs. That’s why brushing doesn’t help because the smell comes from our breath and not from our mouth.
8. Moisten your mouth
Remember that saliva is an important part of our mouth’s defense mechanism. If you’re dehydrated or suffer from dry mouth, you’re more prone to bad breath. The fix? Stay hydrated by drinking at least eight glasses of water a day.
Make sure to follow these steps and, of course, make sure to visit your dentist regularly.
Here at South Anchorage Dental Center, we provide the highest quality dental services and only use the most advanced techniques that are available. We would be happy to answer any questions you might have. Contact us now!
