Bad breath can make social situations awkward, embarrassing you and leaving a bad taste in your mouth. It may be a sign that your oral hygiene practices have been inadequate. Poor oral hygiene is the most common cause of bad breath, so examine your habits to see if you are inadvertently brushing or flossing too infrequently. Something else may be causing your bad breath, but it’s worth considering what you’ve been eating and where you may have been neglecting to brush or floss. Here are five ways to get rid of bad breath.
1. Brush your teeth after meals
The most obvious way to reduce bad breath is to brush your teeth after meals. Chewing sugar-free gum can also help reduce the problem. Brushing your teeth helps because it flushes food particles and bacteria out of your mouth. You may also talk with a dentist about a fluoride mouth rinse if you have been told you have teeth that require strengthening.
2. Use a mouthwash or antiseptic
You can improve your oral hygiene by using an antiseptic rinse or mouthwash after each meal and before you sleep. This can help kill the bacteria causing bad breath, soothe your gums and freshen your breath for the next meal. If you’re hesitant to use mouthwash, try an alcohol-free version, which will be better for your gums and teeth.
3. Avoid foods that cause bad breath
If you want to pinpoint what’s causing your bad breath, experiment with different foods and drinks and see which ones are causing the problem. Some people who avoid spicy foods have noticed that spicy food causes their breath to smell worse than usual. The bad breath may come from the food they eat more than it does from their oral hygiene.
4. Always floss
One of the most important parts of your oral hygiene is flossing. If you’ve skipped this morning and evening routine, it’s time to start again. Flossing helps prevent plaque buildup, which can cause infections of the gums and decay on teeth surfaces. Bad breath can signify gum disease, so flossing may be one way to get rid of bad breath. Floss once a day for better oral hygiene.
5. Visit a dentist to check your teeth and gums
Your dentist can examine your teeth and gums and determine whether you have any oral problems causing your bad breath. A dental professional can also suggest solutions to help reduce the problem. Sometimes it’s not just bad breath but also a buildup of tartar or plaque that must be removed.
6. Avoid dry mouth
A dry mouth is problematic because it is a sign of dehydration. If you’re swallowing or drinking too much, the lack of saliva in your mouth can cause bad breath. Make sure you have enough water each day for hydration and not drink too much caffeine. If you take medications to help control diabetes, check with your doctor to see whether your medication could be causing the problem.
7. Brush your tongue
Another trick to help with bad breath is brushing your tongue after brushing your teeth. Brushing your tongue can help scrape off any bacteria or food particles on its surface. This can also help soothe a sore throat if you have one. You can also buy an electric toothbrush with an attachment specifically for brushing the tongue. It helps clean the surfaces of the tongue while removing bacteria and other unwanted particles.
Bad breath can turn you away from social situations and leave a bad taste in your mouth, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. Examine your oral hygiene habits and provide better care for your teeth and gums by brushing and flossing daily. Visit a dentist regularly.