Bad breath is a touchy subject. Nobody wants to talk about it, but what can you do if you’re suffering from it? The obvious solution is to brush your teeth and chew chewing gum, but sometimes, that may not be enough. Don’t panic though, because there are some proven things you can do to get rid of bad breath, which we’ll cover in this blog post.
1. Maintain good oral hygiene
The first and most important thing to do is to maintain good oral hygiene. (And this won’t just help tackle bad breath, but most dental problems too). The cornerstone of good oral hygiene is brushing. Brush twice a day, once before you go to bed and once one other time during the day. The most important time to brush is before you go to bed, as it ensures there are no bacteria in your mouth while you sleep.
2. Rinse your mouth after every meal
Rinse or gargle after every meal, or even after every snack. This ensures that no food particles are stuck in your mouth.
3. Avoid smelly foods
Try to avoid smelly foods, like garlic and onions, as these can cause temporary bad breath.
4. Use mouthwash
Mouthwashes are a good way to give your mouth an extra clean. They’re available in most supermarkets and chemists.
5. Drink plenty of water
Water is the best drink there is for your teeth. It stimulates your saliva flow and helps to prevent dehydration, which can cause halitosis (that’s what scientists call bad breath). So increase your water intake, as keeping yourself hydrated will help reduce your bad breath.
6. Don’t drink too much coffee
A mug of coffee might seem vitally important in the morning, but did you know that coffee slows down your saliva production and can dry out your mouth? This in turn can lead to bad breath. For that reason, it’s better to drink a cup of tea instead.
7. Clean your dentures
If you have dentures, then you should know that caring for them is as important as caring for your teeth. Make it a habit to clean your dentures every night to get rid of any bacterial build-up.
8. Floss after every meal
Any food particles that get stuck between your teeth for too long can not only lead to bad breath, but also an infection. That’s why flossing is just as important as brushing. So make sure to floss at least once per day.
9. Change your toothbrush often
Time flies, and we may not notice how quickly our toothbrush gets old. An old toothbrush may even be unsafe to use as it can be full of bacteria. So change your toothbrush regularly – every three or four months will do the trick.
What to do if you still have bad breath
If you have bad breath, any you’ve tried all of the above trips, then it might be time to see the doctor. Your doctor can check you out for any diseases that could be causing your halitosis, such as gum disease or a sinus infection.
That’s it for now. See you next time!
