8 Tips to Prevent Bad Breath
Bad breath happens to the best of us, typically after you’ve woken up or haven’t brushed yet. However, it can become a real problem if it happens regularly.
What causes bad breath? It can result from eating disorders, metabolic conditions, and certain cancers. However, in most cases, it can be attributed to poor dental hygiene. However,
Depending on its underlying cause, there are steps you can take to get rid of bad breath. Try these simple measures at home to help keep your breath fresh all day long.
1. Brush and floss regularly
Brushing and flossing are the first steps to optimal oral health. Cleaning your teeth thoroughly is the simplest and easiest way to keep your teeth healthy and prevent bacteria from building up. Those bacteria are a common cause of bad breath, so regular cleaning can play a major role in keeping your breath smelling fresh.
Brush and floss twice a day for maximum effectiveness. Don’t forget to replace your toothbrush every 3 months or after a cold to ensure the bristles can provide a thorough cleaning.
2. Clean your tongue after brushing
If you aren’t in the habit of cleaning your tongue after brushing, now’s a good time to start. The tongue is ordinarily a breeding ground for bacteria and is a common source of bad breath. The typical indicator is a whitish coating on the tongue.
Use your toothbrush to carefully brush your tongue and remove the coating. Start from the back to the front of the tongue, and remember to catch the sides as well. Also, try investing in a tongue scraper for a more complete cleaning. Tongue scrapers are also a good option if your toothbrush is too large to reach the back of the tongue.
3. Mouthwash regularly
Rinsing with mouthwash makes your breath smell fresher. It also comes with other benefits that make it a powerful bad breath remedy. An antibacterial mouthwash can help kill the germs responsible for the odours, doing more than just masking the smell. Rinsing also cleans the hard-to-reach areas like the back of the teeth. Talk to your dentist to see if using a mouthwash regularly is right for you.
4. Drink plenty of water
Dry mouth is another cause of bad breath. This can easily be remedied by taking steps to keep the mouth hydrated. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day.
While the most common suggestion is drinking at least 8 glasses a day, you may need more if you are physically active. Drinking enough water also helps flush food particles and dead cells that make the mouth a breeding ground for germs. In contrast to other drinks (e.g. coffee and soda), water is also odourless and sugar-free. When you need a drink that refreshes the mouth without contributing to bacterial growth.
5. Chew sugar-free gum
Sugarless gums and mints are other convenient options if you’re thinking of how to get rid of bad breath. The act of chewing stimulates saliva production, which helps flush out bacteria and food particles that create foul odours. Gum also helps pick up leftover food particles, making it harder for bacteria to grow later on.
Look for gum containing xylitol. Xylitol is a natural sweetener that also has antibacterial properties, giving you another layer of defence. Xylitol also helps reduce tooth decay, making it a great help for maintaining good oral health.
6. Avoid smoking
One piece of advice you may get from a dentist is to avoid or quit smoking, and for good reason. Smoking causes oral health issues in addition to its more commonly-known effects. After smoking, you retain the smell on your breath for some time afterward. A tobacco habit inhibits the immune system, which can encourage bacterial growth and bad breath.
As time goes on, smoking also contributes to gum disease, one of whose symptoms is foul odours. Finally, smoking also dries out the mouth, making it easier for germs to thrive and affect your breath.
7. Eat foods high in fibre
The food you eat has a major effect on the state of your breath. Stay away from alcoholic and caffeinated beverages, for example, to prevent bacterial growth and dry mouth. Instead, go for foods rich in fibre like raw fruits and vegetables.
These fibre-rich foods work like natural toothbrushes, helping remove leftover food particles on your teeth. Eating these foods also stimulates salivation, allowing you to clean out those odour-producing bacteria that contribute to bad breath. Fibre-rich food also enables food to move properly through the digestive tract. One cause of bad breath is indigestion, so these foods are a good choice to make food move more easily and reduce the risk of developing foul breath.
8. Include more vitamins C and D in your diet
Having enough vitamin C and D is another way to balance your body and look after your breath at the same time. Vitamin C helps prevent bacterial growth and gum disease, protecting you from the main causes of bad breath. Vitamin C is also good for boosting saliva production, which helps wash away germs and food particles that contribute to the issue.
Eat plenty of citrus fruits, berries, and melons to get the vitamin C your body needs. Vitamin D also helps inhibit bacterial growth in the mouth to reduce foul odours. Stock up on foods containing vitamin D like salmon, tuna, and mackerel. You can also get plenty of vitamin D from exposure to sunlight, so find ways to get a little more sun throughout your day.
Maintaining good oral hygiene is always a must, both for your own health and for keeping your breath smelling fresh and clean. However, it also helps to visit the dentist regularly to bolster your normal cleaning routine. Visits to the dentist are a great chance to come in for a thorough dental cleaning and get a checkup to ensure your teeth and gums stay in good condition. Make an appointment with us, or book a virtual consultation now to give your teeth the TLC they deserve.
Dental Hygiene Experts
When you need a dentist providing comprehensive services for the whole family, look no farther than Galloro Dental Group. We boast a wide range of services to help you maintain great oral health and keep your teeth looking their best. Give us a call now at (416) 483-9600 (Summerhill) or (416) 907-5888 (Don Mills) to make an appointment.