Helpful Tips To Eliminate Bad Breath

Good oral health is essential for preventing diseases and having fresh breath. Bad breath can be due to various reasons. Listed below are some common tips and tricks to get rid of bad breath.

Brush your teeth twice daily

Use a soft-bristled brush and lightly brush your teeth in small circular motions. Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and brush along the gumline. Don’t forget to clean the back of your teeth as well, as food particles can easily get trapped there. Be sure to also brush your tongue to help eliminate odor-causing bacteria.

Floss at least once a day

When you do not floss regularly, plaque can build up between the teeth, which can lead to cavities and decay. It can also irritate the gums and lead to gum disease and bad breath. Flossing removes food and bacteria from the spaces between the teeth where brushing misses. Bacteria that is left in the mouth will eventually lead to tooth decay if not removed. It is important to remove as many bacteria and food particles as possible from your mouth before they can break down into acids and cause even more damage. Flossing with braces is even more important than ever because food can easily get stuck in the wires and brackets. When you floss properly every day, you are less likely to have gum problems and less likely to have bad breath! Here are some general tips to follow when flossing with braces:

Brush your tongue

Brushing the tongue is just as important as brushing your teeth. This is because bacteria can hide in hard-to-reach spaces on the tongue. An unclean tongue can lead to bad breath and serious conditions like gum disease and tooth decay.

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean the back of the tongue from the back to the front. Rinse thoroughly to remove the bacteria and food particles that remain. Rinsing with mouthwash can also help remove these substances from your mouth.

Clean dentures or dental appliances

You can prevent bad breath by removing plaque and tartar from your mouth using a good oral hygiene routine that includes cleaning your dentures or dental appliance every day. This will not only help prevent bad breath but also keep your natural teeth healthy by preventing the buildup of plaque and bacteria in your mouth. If you wear dentures, clean them daily with a soft-bristled brush and water before soaking them in a denture-cleaning solution overnight.

Avoid dry mouth

A dry mouth can be caused by a lack of saliva production due to certain medications, health conditions, or breathing through your mouth while you sleep at night. Without enough saliva in your mouth, bacteria is left behind and can cause bad breath. Drinking plenty of water can help to stimulate the production of saliva in the mouth. You can also chew sugar-free gum throughout the day to help keep the mouth moist and kill any lingering oral bacteria.

Adjust your diet

A balanced diet will help keep your whole body healthy. However, certain foods can make you more prone to bad breath, and other foods can help to reduce it. Here are some foods you should include in your diet to promote healthier teeth and gums:

Crunchy fruits and veggies like celery or apples stimulate the flow of saliva in your mouth, which can help reduce bacteria levels. Additionally, crunchy/chewy foods also help remove food particles from between your teeth.
Dairy products like yogurt and cheese help promote the production of saliva in the mouth, which can help wash away food particles and reduce bacteria levels.
Green tea has antibacterial properties that can help fight oral bacteria and reduce your risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Drinking green tea on a regular basis may help freshen your breath.
Water helps rinse away food particles and bacteria from the mouth, which can reduce the risk of decay and infection. You should aim to drink at least eight glasses of water a day.
Some foods like garlic and onions trigger a strong odor when they come in contact with bacteria in the oral cavity. Eating more garlic may actually cause your breath to smell worse.
Sugar is bad for your teeth because it feeds bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. It can also increase your risk of decay. Limit sugary foods and beverages as much as possible, or brush your teeth after eating anything sweet.
Certain types of alcohol can cause dehydration. Dehydration can lead to increased production of plaque and bacteria in your mouth, which can cause bad breath. In addition, drinking alcohol can make your mouth dry, which can contribute to bad breath.

Regularly get a new toothbrush

In order to keep your mouth healthy and free of bad breath, it is important to get a toothbrush that is able to remove plaque effectively. When the bristles of your toothbrush start to bend and are no longer able to reach in between teeth to clean out food particles and other bacteria that cause bad breath, it is time for a new toothbrush. The American Dental Association recommends getting a new toothbrush approximately every three to four months.

Schedule regular dental checkups

We recommend scheduling a routine checkup every six months with your dentist to catch any developing problems early on before they develop into bigger ones. Both your teeth and gums should be checked at these appointments for general problems like cavities and gum disease, as well as cosmetic concerns like stains. Your dentist can also provide personalized advice on how to keep your smile looking great and breath fresh between checkups.

To learn more about our dental procedures, call Cheyenne Mountain Dental at (719) 576-3276 to schedule your appointment, or visit us at 3605 Star Ranch Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80906. For more information, please contact info@cheyennemountaindental.com.