Worried about having bad breath? Here are five simple ways to cure bad breath!
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene
- Brush & Scrape Your Tongue
- Eat a Healthy Diet & Drinks Lots of Water
- Chew Sugar-Free Gum
- Come See Us at Toothology!
Practicing good oral hygiene is probably the easiest way to rid yourself of bad breath. By brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time, flossing at least once a day, and rinsing your mouth out with mouthwash, you remove food particles that, when left in your mouth, can start to smell. If these particles aren’t removed, they can also cause serious dental problems as they can harden into plaque and lead to issues like cavities and tooth decay, which will make your breath smell even worse.
It may not occur to you to scrape your tongue while you’re brushing your teeth, but those food particles that are stuck between your teeth also cling to your tongue. Brushing your tongue can help remove any of the food debris that may be causing your mouth to smell. If that still doesn’t help, you can buy a tongue scraper at your local drugstore. A tongue scraper is specifically designed to clean the coating on the upper surface of your tongue, banishing those particles that smell. Whether you brush or scrape your tongue, rinse your mouth out afterwards to get rid of any of particles that you may have loosened.
What you drink and eat is not just important for your waistline and your overall health. You can get bad breath when your mouth is dry so it’s important to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water. What you eat also affects your breath. Fruits and vegetables rich in fiber, such as apples and carrots, can help to rid your mouth of food particles stuck to your teeth after you’ve eaten. These healthy foods also stimulate salivary flow in your mouth, which washes away acids that are produced when food is broken down by bacteria in your mouth. Sugary and starchy foods often sit in your mouth long past when you’ve eaten and these particles can start to smell and cause bad breath.
When you chew gum, you’re not just getting the temporary benefit of minty flavor. The act of chewing gum increases saliva production in your mouth, which helps your mouth combat symptoms of dry mouth and bad breath. Sugarless gum with xylitol is always your best option!
Another key to keeping bad breath at bay is to come in and see us for biannual checkups and cleanings. Call us to make an appointment today!
