Oct
29

Best Ways to Combat Bad Breath

Having bad breath can be embarrassing but don’t just chew tons of gum or snack on mints all day to cover it up! There are better was to beat bad breath that are much healthier for your teeth and mouth. Here are a few things you can do:

Work on Oral Hygiene – Bad breath is often caused by poor oral hygiene. You’re more likely to have bad breath if you only brush once a day, brush without purpose and for too short an amount of time, or don’t floss. When you’re not brushing or flossing often enough, plaque builds up on your teeth. The plaque is sticky and will contain bacteria and food particles that are trapped on your teeth. Also, when brushing your teeth, don’t forget to brush your tongue. You may notice that your mouth immediately smells and feels refreshed because you have removed bacteria, food debris and dead cells from a large portion of your mouth.

Get Your Cavities Filled – If your teeth are decaying, your breath will start to smell. If you have tooth decay, you need to have your dentist take a look right away so they can be filled before bacteria enters through your gums and into the rest of your body.

Take Care of Your Gums – If your gums get infected by gingivitis or something worse, your breath will not be pleasant. Make sure to check your gums every now and then to see if they’re a healthy pink color, otherwise you should make an appointment with your dentist.

Use Mouthwash – Mouthwash is a great addition to your daily routine. It’s also a great way to freshen up your breath in just a few seconds. Just be aware that a strong mouthwash should be used with caution and not too often as it can discolor your teeth and cause sensitivity.

Avoid Garlic (and Onions, Coffee, or anything else that makes your breath smell bad) – You may notice that even though you brush, you can still taste it in your mouth. That is because the scent is coming from your lungs and not just your mouth. This is only for preventing bad breath during important times such as business meetings, special occasions, or whatnot. Otherwise, garlic (and a lot of other smelly foods) are actually very beneficial for your health and outweigh the downside of dealing with temporary bad breath.

Drink Water – Water keeps your mouth moist, which in turn helps create saliva which is essential to maintain a healthy, germ free and scent free mouth. If you notice your mouth is dry, you’ve already been dehydrated for too long. Drink enough water to keep that dry feeling out of your mouth.

Dr. Lorraine Burio of Candlewood Dental Care has been treating patients in the New Fairfield, CT area for over twenty-five years. If you have any questions call us at 203-746-1200 or make an appointment here.