Bad breath, medically referred to as halitosis, can have a negative effect on your life. It can make you self-conscious and embarrassed, you may avoid social situations, and it can cause tension in your personal relationships. Treating bad breath depends on its cause. Listed below are some ways to eliminate bad breath.
Brush your teeth twice daily
Most people know that brushing their teeth at least twice per day is essential for achieving good oral hygiene and a healthy smile. Beyond just removing food particles from the surface of the teeth, proper brushing helps to prevent gum disease and tooth decay by stimulating saliva production in the mouth. Saliva is a natural anti-bacterial product that helps prevent bacterial growth in the mouth, so maintaining an adequate level of saliva is key in preventing decay. That’s why if you suffer from bad breath, it may actually just be a matter of making sure you are brushing your teeth properly.
Floss at least once a day
Bacteria can hide between teeth that brushing and rinsing can’t reach. That’s why flossing is so important to your oral health – it removes the bacteria that can lead to bad breath! If it’s difficult for you to floss every day because of braces or other dental work, consider investing in an interdental cleaner.
Brush your tongue
When you brush your teeth, you remove food particles from your mouth. But if you do not clean your tongue, these particles will remain on your tongue and can cause bad breath. So when you brush your tongue, it eliminates excess bacteria that cause bad breath. You can brush your tongue with a tongue scraper or a toothbrush with soft bristles.
Use a tongue scraper to clean your tongue. Slide the scraper from the back to the front of your tongue and repeat the motion until the whole surface of your tongue is cleaned. Do this twice a day for the best results. Using mouthwash after brushing your tongue will also help eliminate the bad odor. Rinse your mouth with plain water after using a mouthwash to ensure that there is no residue left behind.
Clean dentures or dental appliances
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently clean your dentures, partials, or retainers. Dentures and partials should be cleaned over a sink filled with water or a denture bath solution to keep them from breaking. When cleaning your dentures, be sure to rinse them thoroughly before submerging them in water or a cleaning solution to avoid soap residue. If your dentures have metal clasps and bands, do not use abrasive cleaners that can scratch or damage the appliance.
Prevent the occurrence of dry mouth
Saliva is your mouth’s way of naturally rinsing away food particles that get caught between teeth and other surfaces. When you don’t produce enough saliva, bacteria can build up in your mouth, which can lead to bad breath and make your teeth feel gross and unclean. A dry mouth also makes it easier for plaque to stick to your teeth, which can eventually lead to gum disease.
A dry mouth can be caused by a number of factors, including medications, tobacco use, stress, aging, and more. Talk to a dentist if you think it’s caused by something you’re regularly taking. Your dentist may recommend alternate medication or treatments to relieve your dry mouth symptoms.
Adjust your diet
What you eat directly affects your breath. Foods and drinks like garlic, onions, coffee, and alcohol can linger in your mouth and cause you to have bad breath. Try to avoid these smelly foods and drinks as much as possible. If you are unable to avoid them, try using a mouthwash or a breath mint afterward to help get rid of the odor.
Additionally, be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to wash away food particles that get stuck between teeth. Water also helps keep your mouth hydrated and helps fight bacteria that can lead to bad breath.
Finally, if you suffer from chronic bad breath, you may want to visit your dentist to make sure you don’t have a more serious underlying condition. The dentist can help eliminate any sources of bad odors so that you can achieve fresh breath and good oral health.
Vosh Dental is equipped with the best dentists and modern amenities that enable the best treatment for the patients. To learn more, visit our office at 4541 HERITAGE TRACE PARKWAY SUITE #1301 FORT WORTH, TX 76244. You can also reach us at (817) 203-1561 and schedule an appointment.
