Bad breath, medically known as halitosis, can be a tremendous social liability. It can result from poor oral hygiene, certain foods, or health problems. Nobody wants to deal with it. Luckily, it can be managed and eliminated through diligent dental hygiene and little tricks.
Most bad breath can be attributed to areas in the mouth that are host to bacteria. Situations such as having food stuck between teeth, gum disease, a dry mouth, certain medications, smoking, and sinus issues may exacerbate bad breath. So, how does one cool the hot breath problem? Here are tips from health professionals to help freshen your mouth from bad breath.
- Floss Daily
Food stuck between teeth that decay and create bacteria is one of the most common reasons for bad breath. The food decays and puts off the bad odor. Flossing daily will help eliminate food, bacteria, and plaque movement below the gum line and around the areas brushing doesn’t touch. When you start flossing daily, you will eliminate one the biggest contributors to bad breath.
- Scrape Your Tongue
Your tongue, especially towards the back, holds bacteria. There is a tool for that! A tongue scraper is a great way to remove bacteria that cause bad breath without even realizing it. Adding tongue scraping to your oral care practices will drastically help improve the freshness of your breath, as this is an easy and safe step to take on a daily basis.
- Rinse Often
Most mouth rinses only freshen breath temporarily, but rinsing is also a strategy to fight the bacteria that cause bad breath. The old remedies: baking soda and hydrogen peroxide—both of these options will rinse not just the surface of your mouth but will change the environment in your mouth, making it less inviting for bacteria, thus improving your breath longer.
- Change Your Toothbrush Often
Your toothbrush is a significant contributor to your oral hygiene. However, it can also house bacteria and should be changed frequently. To limit the spread of bad bacteria, dentists suggest changing your toothbrush every three months. A clean toothbrush creates the best opportunity to remove as much plaque and bacteria as possible while brushing.
- Stay Hydrated
A dry mouth can contribute to bad breath. Saliva, which water maintains, will wash away food and acid and provide self-cleansing. If you sip on water throughout the day, it will help keep your mouth hydrated, prevent significant dehydration, and wash the remaining food particles, which cause bad breath.
- Be Wary of Certain Drinks
Certain drinks, like coffee, beer, wine, and whiskey, can provoke bad breath for various reasons. For one, these beverages can leave an odor, and second, dry the mouth. Limiting these drinks can minimize any resulting bad breath. If these drinks are consumed, rinsing with plain water after drinking can minimize the chance of bad breath.
- Natural Breath Refreshers
While it may not be the most incredible breath freshener, certain herbs and spices are natural bad odor-fighters. Fresh parsley and mint leaves are easy to carry anywhere you must stop for foul odor. Cloves, cardamom, and fennel are three spices that will help neutralize lousy odor. Chewing on these herbs or spices conveniently provides breath-refresher activity.
- Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Practicing good oral hygiene is good; however, if you consistently have bad breath, it may be an identifier of something more profound than just periodic bad breath. Bad breath that can be classified as chronic bad breath (halitosis) is often a sign of early-stage gum disease, and it is nearly always one of the first signs of gum disease. Visiting your dentist regularly may allow them to look for and identify possible gum disease. Your dentist can also provide individualized advice on how to handle halitosis while your oral health and manage your general oral health.
Conclusion: Farewell Bad Breath
Bad breath doesn’t have to be a permanent issue. You can have fresher breath if you practice good oral hygiene, have the right tools, stay hydrated, and make sensible lifestyle choices. You will feel more confident and comfortable in social situations. If you are still concerned about your bad breath, contact your dentist. Your dentist can identify underlying causes and offer individualized therapy to keep your breath fresher for longer.
These tips will help you eliminate bad breath and enjoy a health and more confident smile!