Let’s be honest, we’ve all suffered from bad breath on occasion. We don’t like to admit it and rarely even want to talk about it but bad breath can be a real nuisance, impact self-confidence and it can even put a strain on relationships. So what can you do to avoid having bad breath? The answer is simple—by maintaining good oral hygiene every day.
Brushing, flossing and rinsing your mouth continue to be the most effective routine ways you can invest in to help you prevent bad breath.
Here are 8 Ways to Beat Bad Breath:
- Brush Your Teeth and Tongue
Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day. This helps to remove plaque bacteria from your teeth. Brush your tongue and pay special attention to the back of your tongue, where most odor-causing bacteria are found. - Check for Cavities and Periodontal Disease
Make sure to have regular dental exams so your dentist can check for cavities and periodontal disease which are leading causes of bad breath. - Floss Your Teeth:
Floss your teeth to help remove food debris from in between your teeth. - Use a Mouthwash:
Complete this routine with a mouthwash that helps fight bad breath germs. - Drink Water:
Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and flush away food debris. - Chew Gum:
Chew sugarless gum to stimulate saliva production. - Avoid Certain Foods:
Learn which foods can cause bad breath. - Avoid Alcohol and Smoking:
Drinking alcohol and smoking can intensify bad breath so consider limiting these behaviors.
Chronic bad breath may be a symptom of a more serious condition such as tooth decay or periodontal disease. Overall, a preventative dental program is a cooperative effort by the patient and our dental team. Prevention also includes regular dental exams (every 6 months), routine cleaning and periodontal evaluation and x-rays when needed.
Please contact us at (703) 860-8860 or schedule an appointment so we can help you eliminate bad breath for good.