Bad breath is one of the most common and embarrassing dental problems. It can be caused by several things, from the food you eat to poor oral hygiene. If you’re looking for ways to get rid of bad breath, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll give you some easy tips and tricks for freshening your breath and keeping it smelling great all day long.
Brush and floss your teeth twice a day
Brushing and flossing your teeth is one of the best ways to prevent bad breath. You can reduce the likelihood of bad breath by keeping your teeth clean and free of bacteria, plaque, and food particles. Make sure to brush your teeth and tongue for two minutes at least twice a day, and floss once daily. Additionally, use a soft-bristled toothbrush as it is less likely to cause damage to your teeth and gums. Lastly, avoid brushing too hard to avoid damaging your teeth and gums.
Mouthwashes are another great way to keep your breath smelling fresh. They help kill bacteria and remove plaque and food particles from your teeth and gums. Moreover, when choosing a mouthwash, it’s important to consider your individual needs. If you’re looking for a mouthwash to help kill bacteria and remove plaque and food particles, choose one that contains alcohol or chlorine dioxide. If you have sensitive teeth or gums, choose an alcohol-free mouthwash. There are also many flavors of mouthwash available, so you can find one that tastes good to you.
Drink plenty of water
Drinking plenty of water is another great way to prevent bad breath. Keeping your mouth hydrated can reduce the likelihood of bad breath. Water helps to flush out bacteria and food particles from your mouth, and it also helps to keep your saliva levels up.
Did you know that saliva is produced by glands under your tongue? This watery liquid aids in breaking down food for digestion as it helps to moisten the mouth and compact food into softened particles for easier swallowing. Saliva also contains enzymes that help break down food particles and assist in the absorption of nutrients.
Additionally, saliva is a natural disinfectant and helps to neutralize bad breath-causing bacteria by keeping the mouth hydrated. So make sure to drink at least eight glasses or two liters of water daily to keep your mouth moist and reduce the likelihood of bad breath.
Chew sugar-free gum or mints
Chewing gum is a great way to freshen your breath when you’re on the go. It helps dislodge food particles from your teeth, stimulates saliva production, and neutralizes bad-smelling odors. It also helps to mask bad breath. If you’re worried about your breath, pop a piece of gum or a mint in your mouth before heading into a meeting or social event. This way, you can be sure that your breath will smell refreshing and not cause embarrassment.
Make sure you choose a sugar-free gum or mint to avoid feeding the bacteria that cause bad breath. When choosing a sugar-free gum or mint, it’s important to read the label carefully. Instead of sugar, many gums and mints contain high-intensity sweeteners such as:
- Aspartame
- Neotame
- Saccharin
- Sucralose
- Stevia
On the other hand, some gums and mints contain sugar alcohols such as:
- Erythritol
- Isomalt
- Maltitol
- Mannitol
- Sorbitol
- Xylitol
These sweeteners are noncariogenic as they are very slowly or never metabolized and have fewer calories than sugar. However, based on the FDA’s standards, aspartame and all the aforementioned sugar alcohols are considered nutritive sweeteners since they have more than 2% of the calories in an equal amount of sugar. This means they can contribute to weight gain if consumed large amounts.
Visit your dentist or doctor regularly
Poor oral health is one of the leading causes of bad breath. You can keep your mouth healthy and avoid stinky breath by seeing your dentist every six months. They are the best person to ask about getting rid of bad breath since they can give you specific advice about keeping your mouth healthy and free from bacteria.
Dentists can also recommend products and treatments that are specific to your needs and can help eliminate bad breath. Some of the most popular include fluoride mouthwashes or toothpaste, and flosses. Additionally, several dental products target bad breath specifically, such as tongue scrapers and breath mints.
However, if you’re bad breath problem can’t be fixed by just proper hygiene, you probably might need surgery. Missing teeth, or dentures, are a breeding ground for bacteria. These can reproduce in the gums where a missing tooth might be or in the nooks and crannies of dentures. There are some procedures, like tooth replacement surgery, that your dentist can do to provide a more permanent solution. But there are cases where your bad breath is not caused by teeth problems. With that, you may need to consult another medical professional who can perform other kinds of operations that you may need, such as:
- Tongue tie surgery
- Sinus surgery
- Jaw surgery
- Tonsillectomy
Bad breath can be embarrassing and frustrating, but it’s not something you have to live with. There are plenty of ways to get rid of bad breath, from drinking water and chewing gum to visiting your dentist regularly. So don’t let bad breath hold you back from living your life to the fullest. Try out some of these tips today and start enjoying fresh breath that will make you feel confident and smell great!
