Bad breath is never pleasant for anyone. What can be done to prevent it? Read on to learn how. Thanks for visiting Mt. Juliet and Cookeville Endodontics.
Bad breath is something that we all have experienced in our lives and all hope to never have again. If you think you are immune to the curse of halitosis (bad breath), think again.
Eighty-five percent of us will suffer from halitosis at some point, so it’s smart to wise up about it. But because bad breath is relatively easy to prevent, it makes sense to first focus on the prevention rather than the cure.
Here are some simple tips to help you avoid halitosis. Remember, halitosis is mainly based on bacteria, so the natural prevention goal is to reduce the bacteria in the mouth.
Get regular dental checkups and cleanings, ideally every 6 months.
Only your dentist can determine if you have an underlying dental condition–such as tooth decay or periodontal disease—that might contribute to halitosis. Your dental hygienist will remove any buildup of tartar that could cause bad breath. If you experience tartar buildup quickly, you should see your hygienist for a cleaning every three months.
Brush and floss at least twice daily to remove food particles trapped between teeth or in your gum line. Add mouthwash to your morning routine.
Residual food fragments help cause bad breath. For this reason, remember to brush after a heavy meal, no matter when it occurs. Today, there are many mini-dental products on the market, including mouthwash. Pack them in your bag or briefcase and use them at work. The more you brush, the fresher your breath.
Brush your tongue, especially towards the back, to remove bacteria.
Scientists know that the tongue is home to some pungent bacteria, so use your toothbrush to sweep your tongue gently. For a better scrubbing, try a tongue-cleaner. Mouthwash also works.
Keep hydrated during the day.
Many of us wake up with “morning breath” and know we shouldn’t kiss anyone until we’ve brushed our teeth. What we may not realize is that a better term for morning breath is “dry mouth”, due to less saliva produced while we are asleep. Saliva is a natural mouthwash: it is anti-bacterial and washes away food particles. A dry mouth—whether at midnight or noon—can quickly cause unpleasant breath. Get rid of it by brushing your teeth, cleaning your tongue, and swishing with mouthwash. During the day, keep hydrated to encourage salivation. When you are congested, you will often find yourself with a dry, crusty mouth, so remember to take extra steps to sweeten your breath.
Rinse your mouth with tap water after drinking and eating.
Water washes away food particles and helps restore the pH levels in your mouth to a healthy concentration.
Avoid spicy foods, sodas, coffee, and alcohol.
Garlic, onions, and your spicy cuisine of choice can stay on the menu, but be aware they can create bad breath. Try limiting smoking, coffee, sodas and alcohol, and make sure to rinse your mouth after drinking any liquids. Out for a night on the town? Take along emergency breath-busters such as gum, breath mints or dissolving breath strips.
Quit smoking.
Do I need to elaborate? Smoking encourages plaque buildup, which breeds the bacteria that cause unpleasant breath. Also, smoking contributes to a dry mouth. Less saliva equals halitosis. Finally, smokers are much more likely to suffer foul-smelling oral infections and diseases than non-smokers are.
Look for natural breath fresheners.
Green tea, cinnamon sticks, parsley, mint, and dill are some of nature’s cures for bad breath. Citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruit not only sweeten your breath, but also kill oral bacteria. In addition, crunchy fruits and vegetables, such as apples and celery, help remove trapped food and encourage salivation.
See your physician.
There can be other medical issues that can cause bad breath. Halitosis is linked to stress, diabetes, stomach problems, sinusitis, and bronchitis. If your bad breath simply won’t quit, you may have an undiagnosed medical problem.
Original content found here.
