Halitosis, or bad breath, is a problem which affects many parts of our lives. Thankfully, there are several easy things you can do every day to help fight bad breath. Learn more about these strategies to kick bad breath in our blog!
Practice Proper Oral Care
The most effective way to fight chronic bad breath is to practice good oral hygiene. When sticky plaque builds up on or in between your teeth from insufficient brushing and flossing, bacteria feed on the trapped food and sugar and release chemicals which cause tooth decay and bad breath. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day is the most effective way to keep your mouth clear of stray food and bacteria. In addition, antibacterial mouthwash kills bacteria which linger on your teeth and also freshens your breath. Gum health is also very important. Bacteria which live under your gum lining can cause a host of problems, one of which is bad breath.
Adjust Your Eating and Drinking Habits
Some foods can make your breath stink even if you brush and floss regularly. Smells from foods such as onions and garlic are infamous for making their way into your bloodstream and giving you bad breath for hours; even if you brush your teeth right after eating them! We aren’t saying that you should not eat these foods, but you should be cautious about what you eat on occasions when you are concerned about how your breath smells. Even when not eating smelly food, rinsing your mouth out with water is an excellent way to reduce food particles in you mouth and fight bad breath. Chewing sugar-free gum is another great way to fight the causes of bad breath such as trapped food and dry mouth. Chewing gum moves food particles around and increases salivation, both of which help fight plaque and bacteria that cause bad breath.
Quit Tobacco
Aside from its other numerous harmful effects, smoking and chewing tobacco stain teeth, damage gums, and contribute to chronic bad breath. If you are a smoker, kicking the tobacco habit has numerous health benefits and makes a huge effect on the pleasantness of your breath.
For more information on bad breath, plaque, dental health, and good dental health practices, contact Olney Dental today!
Call Olney Dental at (301) 250-1057 or contact us online for an appointment. And don’t forget to visit Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, and YouTube to connect with us on social media.