Are you dealing with chronic bad breath? If so, you aren’t alone. Millions of people around the globe find themselves dealing with this issue every single day.
Formally known as halitosis, bad breath can impact your overall quality of life in many different ways. And while gum and mints may help for a moment, they aren’t an effective treatment in the long term.
If the latter is what you are looking for, check out these 7 ways to banish bad breath for good.
Boost Your Oral Hygiene
You may very well have a good oral hygiene routine. Maybe you brush your teeth once or twice per day and floss, too. But, sometimes, that is just not enough. You may need to take steps to boost your oral hygiene so that you are able to tackle your bad breath concerns.
Brush twice per day – or more, if needed. You may find that brushing after every meal is a necessity. Also, be sure to floss at least once per day as the build-up of bacteria and food debris can contribute to unpleasant odors.
A good mouthwash can be beneficial, too. Use it in the morning and at night. If you aren’t sure which one is best, ask your dentist for recommendations.
Invest in a New Toothbrush
What good is an oral hygiene routine if you don’t have the proper tools? A good toothbrush is vital in getting the job done right. So, if it has been a while since you invested in a new toothbrush, perhaps now is the time.
You should be replacing your toothbrush every couple of months as the bristles begin to get loose, lose their shape, or fall out. What’s more, bacteria can build up on the toothbrush and pose a threat to your oral health.
Start Scraping Your Tongue
Get used to scraping your tongue. You can buy a special tongue-scraping tool that can be found where toothbrushes are sold. Or, you can use your toothbrush to brush your tongue. Either way, here’s why you need to do it.
The surface of your tongue is the home of many bacteria, germs, food particles, and so forth. And this can be a common cause of bad breath.
While brushing your teeth and gums is great, leaving them in a mouth with a dirty tongue sort of defeats the purpose. Be sure to clean your entire mouth as part of your regular oral hygiene routine.
Stop Smoking
Smoking is a bad habit that is not only damaging to your overall health but also your oral health. Every time you light up, your mouth is bombarded with chemicals that no amount of brushing can usually remove. And, unfortunately, these chemicals can kill your tastebuds.
Smokers have odors that come from their nasal passageways and lungs that contribute to their bad breath.
Ditch the habit before it does even more harm to your body.
Stay Hydrated
One of the number one reasons for bad breath is a dry mouth. Without saliva, the bacteria in your mouth lingers and can cause unwanted odors.
What causes dry mouth?
- Sinus issues or allergies can lead to mouth breathing – and ultimately a dry mouth
- Drinking alcohol
- Certain medications – especially some anxiety medication
- Dehydration
To counteract this, stay hydrated by drinking more water.
Visit Your Dentist Routinely
Just as brushing and flossing are important for your oral health, so is visiting the dentist routinely. Professional cleanings at least every six months can help reduce the chance of buildup. See, it doesn’t matter how well you brush and floss your teeth, there are small crevices where bacteria and germs can build up, leading to plaque and tartar.
Routine visits with the dentist can reduce the chance of gum disease and stop oral health issues before they get out of hand. And if you’re looking to improve aesthetics too? Your dentist can provide professional teeth whitening to keep your smile sparkling!
Make an Appointment with Your Doctor
Believe it or not, sometimes bad breath stems from things that have nothing at all to do with your teeth, gums, or tongue. For instance, medical conditions such as gastric reflux, diabetes, liver disease, and kidney disease all may cause odors.
If you have ruled out all other potential causes of bad breath, then make an appointment with your primary care physician so that you may get to the root cause of the halitosis.
Dental Associates of Lodi provide their patients with highly personalized dental care and can help you deal with unwanted bad breath.
