Are you worried about having bad breath? If you have bad breath it can ruin a job interview, a first date, a special moment, and even impede your ability to make friends. Whether your breath needs to be freshened or you’re simply hoping to prevent bad breath from ever plaguing you, there are some simple steps you can take. Try these 4 tips.
What Causes Bad Breath?
To understand why these 4 tips help to prevent or eliminate bad breath, it’s important to know what causes bad breath in the first place. The main cause is bacteria that feed on the food particles in your mouth and release sulphur gas. Battling this bacteria is the main goal.
Bad Breath Prevention Tips
1. Practice Good Oral Hygiene
The first step to preventing bad breath is to take good care of your teeth and mouth. Floss your teeth, brush your teeth, and even use mouthwash to kill bacteria that like to hide in small places in your mouth that only liquid can reach. Do this at least once a day, preferably twice a day, and even consider doing this after every meal. By removing food particles from your mouth shortly after eating, you eliminate the source of sustenance that bacteria in your mouth need to keep thriving.
2. Use a Tongue Scraper
One of the most common places where bacteria reside in the mouth is on the tongue. We often neglect the tongue when we brush our teeth, allowing the bacteria on your tongue to thrive undisturbed. Brushing your tongue with your toothbrush can help, but a tongue scraper is more effective. A tongue scraper is a device with a straight, solid edge that you pull over your tongue from back to front in one single motion. This scrapes the bacteria off of your tongue without redepositing any. A tongue scraper can make a big difference in the freshness of your breath.
3. Watch What You Eat
Some particularly pungent foods are known to cause bad breath. Offending foods include garlic, onions, peppers, and spicy foods. You may consider eliminating these foods from your diet if you wish to avoid the effects they may have on your breath. If you simply love these foods and don’t wish to give them up, it may help to brush, floss, use mouthwash, and use your tongue scraper after eating them. But the only real way to get the smell of these foods off your breath is time. Consider avoiding these foods before important social situations.
4. Visit the Dentist Regularly
One of the causes of chronic bad breath is tooth decay. Gum disease is another. These are issues that can be corrected by your dentist or periodontist. Visiting the dentist regularly (every 6 months) for cleanings can help to prevent tooth decay and gum disease as well as detect these conditions early in order to treat them. But prevention is the ultimate goal. Cleanings remove plaque and tartar that build up on your teeth and can cause cavities and gum disease. Visit your dentist regularly to improve your breath.
Visit Dental Associates to Prevent Bad Breath
The best thing you can do to prevent bad breath is to visit your dentist regularly. Dental Associates in Farmington, CT provides a complete range of dental services including general dentistry for preventive care.
Call 860-677-8666 today to schedule a visit or request an appointment. We look forward to helping you achieve excellent oral health.