Bad breath, also known as halitosis, can make you feel self-conscious and uncomfortable around others, making your social life less enjoyable overall. While bad breath can be an embarrassing thing to have, everyone has it at some point. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to keep your breath fresh and bacteria-free all day and every day. Read on to discover seven easy ways to banish bad breath forever!
What Causes Bad Breath?
Bad breath is primarily caused by odor-producing bacteria in the mouth. Bacteria can accumulate and lead to bad breath due to:
- Poor oral hygiene is the most common cause of bad breath.
- Lack of hydration leads to a lack of saliva, which cleanses the mouth of odor-causing bacteria.
- Certain foods like garlic, onions, and coffee contain odorous molecules that get trapped in your mouth after eating or drinking them.
- Smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol on a regular basis.
- Illnesses such as stomach problems/infections, lung infections or heart failure.
Ways To Banish Bad Breath
Drink water
Water is the key to great oral hygiene. Keeping your mouth hydrated will help wash away food particles and bacteria that can lead to bad breath. Drink a glass of water before breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You should also drink water throughout the day when you feel thirsty.
Brush your teeth
Brushing your teeth each day and each night is the most important thing you can do to keep your breath fresh. The easiest way to ensure you’re maintaining your oral health at home is to brush and frequently floss as well as use a tongue scraper.
Invest in an electric toothbrush
Your toothbrush is one of the most important tools you have in your battle against bad breath. Invest in an electric toothbrush, and be sure to replace the toothbrush head every three months. This will ensure that bacteria are removed from your brush's bristles.
Floss
Flossing is one of the easiest ways to prevent bad breath. It helps remove plaque and bacteria from between your teeth, where they can cause bad breath. Flossing should be done at least daily, but it doesn't have to take up a lot of time. One can use the traditional string floss daily or invest in a water flosser which can remove plaque and bacteria from the entire circumference of the tooth and is more efficient than string floss.
Use mouthwash
Mouthwash can be an easy way to banish bad breath. It can kill the bacteria in your mouth and is most effective if you swish it around in your mouth for 30 seconds before spitting it out. But, like any other product, different types of mouthwash have different ingredients. When purchasing mouthwash, make sure you read the label and find one that's right for you.
Stop smoking
Smoking cigarettes is a leading cause of bad breath. It's also a major contributor to heart disease, cancer, and other health problems. Quitting smoking will not only give you fresher breath, but it'll also improve your overall health and make you feel better in general.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Start by visiting your dentist regularly, even if you don't have any teeth problems. This will make sure that your mouth is clean and free of any bacteria or food particles that could cause bad breath. Your dentist can also give you advice on how to keep your teeth healthy in between visits.
Need A Dentist?
Total Dental Care MD is a full-service dental practice located in Germantown, Maryland at 20680 Seneca Meadows Parkway Suite #218. The clinic is staffed by a team of dedicated dentists and dental hygienists who are dedicated to providing comfortable and comprehensive dental care. Contact us to schedule an appointment by requesting an appointment online or calling 240-813-9111.