Things to Do to Get Rid of Bad Breath
We know you want to know how to get rid of bad breath. Halitosis is not a good thing to have. Also, it’s hard to tell if your own breath stinks. Is there anything scarier than thinking, “Oh crap, does my breath stink?” in the middle of a conversation? You can do a lot to improve your breath, and for 99% of people, an excellent oral hygiene routine is enough.
Some people have bad breath because of their genes, and these people can work with their doctor to come up with a plan to deal with this. (This also implies that the pharmaceutical mouthwashes and toothpaste that are often reserved for these individuals are now available to the rest of us.)
Why Do I Have Bad Breath?
Even though coffee, cigarettes, garlic, and onions smell bad on their own, the main causes of real bad breath are not cleaning your mouth regularly (by which we mean flossing, brushing, and going to the dentist for cleaning) and being dehydrated. That’s because bad breath is really caused by bacteria that grow well in dry places and multiply when our mouths are dry. Oral bacteria are mostly good because they help break down the proteins in our food. However, they also make sulphur, which stinks, which is why it’s so important to clean your teeth regularly.
Bad breath that comes on suddenly and stays for a long time can also be a sign of a bigger problem, like gum disease (likely from plaque buildup). In other words, make sure you go to the dentist regularly.
How to Prevent and Get Rid of Bad Breath
Brush and Floss More Frequently
Plaque is the sticky buildup on your teeth. Bacteria that cause bad breath live in plaque. Food that gets stuck is also a problem.
At least twice a day, brush your teeth, and at least once a day, floss. If your breath is bothering you, do both a little more often.
Still, don’t do too much. If you brush your teeth too hard, you can wear them down. This makes them more likely to get cavities.
Use a Tongue Scraper
When you brush your teeth, you don’t always get rid of all the food in your mouth. The tongue starts to look white when food particles, bacteria, and dead cells build up on it. It can also make your breath smell bad. A tongue scraper is a quick and easy way to get rid of the stuck food on the tongue. Using it as part of your nightly oral hygiene routine will give you lasting results.
Rinse Your Mouth
Food gets stuck between your teeth and in the spaces between your gums. It stays in your mouth for hours if you don’t brush it out until bedtime. Depending on what you eat, this can make your breath smell very bad.
Even if you don’t brush your teeth after you eat, you might want to rinse your mouth. A simple mouth rinse is a mix of warm water and salt.
If your mouth is dry, that can also make your breath smell bad. You need saliva to get rid of bacteria and, by extension, smell. Rinsing with water can make you salivate, which helps get rid of bacteria.
Eat a Lot of Apples
Isn’t it true that an apple a day keeps the dentist away?
Not always, but apples do help keep your teeth healthy. Apples are naturally fibrous, so chewing on them can be good for the gums. Also, they help get rid of the stuck plaque between the teeth.
Also, apples make you make more saliva, which washes away bacteria. And apples don’t make your breath smell bad because they don’t have a strong smell.
Pay Attention to Your Gums
Your gums are a soft part of your mouth that can quickly get sick. It’s easy for food to get stuck under the gumline and be forgotten when you brush. Make sure to take care of your gums, like your teeth. Gently brush in small circles along the gum line. Don’t use wide strokes to brush across the gums because this can hurt them.
Flossing is a very important way to keep your gums clean. Make sure to floss every night to get rid of any food stuck in your teeth during the day.
Ready to Say Goodbye to Bad Breath?
Use the tips above if you really want to get rid of bad breath. Make sure to take care good of your mouth and teeth. And that you have a lot of water to drink.
After taking care of your teeth, the most important thing to do is visit the dentist. Make sure you schedule regular cleanings and check-ups.
In Richmond Hill, Ontario, are you looking for a dentist? Call Oak Ridges North Dental to talk to the experts. Our dentist’s team will help you clean your mouth and freshen your breath.