Bad breath is not pleasant at all. Yet it can be hard to notice and even harder to combat.
Good Dental Habits
A solid dental routine is the number 1 way to combat bad breath. See, bad breath can be caused by plaque buildup as well as trapped food particles. To prevent this buildup, you should be brushing with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristle brush for at least two minutes twice per day, preferably after meals. Additional light brushing without toothpaste can grab extra food particles as well.
On top of brushing, you should be flossing once per day to clean out the areas in between your teeth. Finish off your routine with some mouthwash to freshen your breath and wash out foreign particles.
Sometimes, bacteria build up on your tongue too. Lightly brush your tongue with a toothbrush or tongue scraper to keep your mouth fresh and clean all day.
Homemade Mouthwash
Vinegar’ and baking soda are both great at killing bacteria. If your store-bought mouthwash isn’t helping, you can make an effective mouthwash at home with either vinegar or baking soda.
To make baking soda mouthwash, mix 2 teaspoons of baking soda into a cup of warm water. Swish the mouthwash as if it was your normal mouthwash.
To make vinegar mouthwash, mix 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with a cup of warm water and swish it like your normal mouthwash.
Care For Your Dental Appliances
Whether you wear dentures, a retainer, or a bite splint, junk can build up in your dental appliance and give off an unpleasant odor. Clean your appliances every time you’re about to put them in.
The anti-septic solution can be of great help when cleaning your appliances but always check with your dentist first just in case.
Chew Sugar-Free Gum
Sugar-free gum can be a quick fix for bad breath. The constant chewing will encourage saliva productions in your mouth, reducing dryness and thus bad breath, not to mention the flavor of the gum will make your breath smell nice if it’s something like mint.
Don’t chew gum excessively, though. It won’t solve any underlying issues, and too much sugar-free gum can actually cause other health issues.
Also, avoid gum that is sweetened with sugar. The sugar can damage your teeth in the long run.
Stay Hydrated
Ever wonder where that unpleasant “morning breath” comes from?
It’s because your mouth dries out while your sleep.
A dry mouth can contribute to bad breath due to lack of saliva. Saliva keeps your mouth clean by killing bacteria; without sufficient saliva, said bacteria can thrive.
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Strive for 8 glasses a day. In addition, minimize consumption of caffeinated, sugary, or alcoholic drinks; all of these can dehydrate you.
Persistent bad breath could be a sign of something serious, like periodontal disease. If you’ve tried all home remedies for bad breath and nothing has worked, schedule an appointment with Absolute Smile so we can determine if it’s simply stubborn food particles or if there’s something else going on.
