Dealing With Bad Breath

Bad breath bothers everyone from time to time. However, some people find that they are in a constant battle to mask their bad breath. If unpleasant breath is affecting your personal and/or professional life, it is time to look at what you can do to fix it.

• Quit tobacco. Whether you do anything else or not, if you are currently using any form of tobacco, make it a priority to quit today. Tobacco is well-known to cause a whole host of health issues, including damage, decay, and disease inside your mouth. Tobacco has its own strong smell which will linger inside your mouth, but the damage that it does to your mouth only exacerbates the foul smell that it leaves behind. For the sake of your breath and your health, quit tobacco once and for all.
• Stay hydrated. The body is dependent upon receiving an adequate amount of water. Hydration is important for the body to function properly, including how the mouth functions. Saliva is necessary to constantly wash bacteria-laden plaque away from the teeth. The more water you consume, the more pleasant your breath will smell.
• Avoid stinky foods. Coffee, wine, alcohol, garlic, onions, and certain cheeses are all notorious for causing bad breath. The only way to ensure that these do not affect your breath is to avoid them completely. However, that is not always possible, nor is it even desirable for many. If you do indulge, keep a toothbrush, tooth paste, and mouthwash handy to use after you finish eating and drinking. By brushing your teeth and rinsing your mouth after eating or drinking one of these stinky culprits, you are helping to fight against their lingering odors.
• Practice good oral hygiene. Brushing and flossing your teeth every single day are essential elements of oral hygiene. Brushing and flossing work to remove plaque buildup from the teeth so that the acid-producing bacteria present inside plaque do not cause an odorous scent to your breath. Making good oral hygiene a priority will go a long way in protecting your teeth and keeping your breath as fresh as possible.
• Clean oral appliances. Oral appliances are often overlooked as culprits of bad breath, yet they can harbor just as much plaque as your teeth do. Retainers, dentures, and aligners all need to be cleaned before putting them back into your mouth.
• Visit your dentist regularly. Your dentist is your best advocate in protecting your oral health. If you are plagued by bad breath, your dentist can professionally deep clean your teeth and give you a thorough exam to ensure that decay is not the source of your bad breath. Regular visits to your dentist will ensure that your teeth stay healthy, and if there are underlying causes to your bad breath, your dentist can help you determine what they are.

Posted on behalf of Sycamore Hills Dentistry