Bid Farewell To Bad Breath With These Helpful Tips!

Bad breath, or halitosis, is embarrassing and can lead to feelings of self-consciousness. It often stems from the foods you eat, poor oral hygiene, or other dental issues. Here are some things you can do to bid farewell to bad breath for good:

Brushing Your Teeth

Brushing your teeth twice a day offers the best way to prevent bad breath. When brushing, make sure to brush every surface of your teeth and to also brush your tongue. Brushing your tongue will remove food particles and bacteria from your mouth that cause bad breath. Some toothbrushes even include tongue scrapers on the back of the brush to help clean the back of the tongue more thoroughly.

Brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste not only removes plaque but also leaves your teeth feeling clean and smooth. 

Flossing

Of all of the tips in this list, flossing is the most important for eliminating bad breath. This is because food particles can get stuck between teeth, in gums, and on your tongue, resulting in bacteria growth and unwanted odors in your mouth. Since you can't remove these odor-causing agents through brushing alone, the next best option is to floss those hard-to-reach areas.

The American Dental Association recommends flossing at least once per day to remove both food and plaque from your mouth.

Brushing Your Tongue

Your tongue collects bacteria from food particles that get stuck on it throughout the day. You can clean it by simply brushing it with a toothbrush or a tongue scraper. 

If you use mouthwash, swish it around in your mouth for about thirty seconds before spitting it out and rinsing your mouth with water. Stay away from products that contain alcohol because they can make your mouth dry, which can worsen your bad breath.

Avoiding Dry Mouth

A dry mouth is a side effect of certain medications and is common among older adults. This can cause bad breath because saliva helps neutralize odor-causing bacteria. To cut down on the dryness in your mouth, drink plenty of water throughout the day and avoid acidic beverages such as orange juice and soda. If you are prone to dry mouth due to your medications, see your doctor about a different drug that may not cause this problem.

If you are looking for more tips to eliminate bad breath, contact El Paseo Dental Care at 583 Willow Street, San Jose, CA 95125, or call (408) 3700101 to consult with your dentist about your concerns to develop an appropriate treatment plan.