Ways to Stop Bad Breath
For some, getting rid of bad breath is more complicated than popping in a few breath mints, chewing some gum or gargling with mouthwash. This is because such temporary fixes do not necessarily get rid of bacteria that cause the bad breath to begin with. Here are some at-home steps you can take to stop bad breath.
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Brush and Floss
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Brushing at least twice a day for two to three minutes at a time helps get rid of bad-breath causing bacteria living on your teeth and gums. Since bacteria that live in your mouth thrive on the food that you put in your mouth, it is especially important to brush after meals. Bring a toothbrush to work so that you may brush after lunch. Also, floss your teeth at least once a day. If you often forget to floss, bring dental floss into the shower so that when you don't want to get out of the warm shower in the morning, you'll remember that you can also floss your teeth.
Brush Your Tongue
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Brushing or scraping your tongue is important because it removes dead cells, bacteria and debris left over from food. Bacteria thrive especially at the back of the tongue, so clean with your toothbrush or tongue cleaner as far back as you can without gagging.
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Stay Hydrated
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Odor-causing bacteria thrive in a dry mouth environment. Saliva keeps the mouth moist and helps wash away the food particles that bacteria thrive on. To encourage saliva production, drink plenty of water, avoid smoking and drinking much caffeine or alcohol, and chew sugarless gum after meals if you cannot brush your teeth.
Clean Mouth Appliances
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Dentures, mouth bridges and other oral appliances may cause a foul odor if they are not cleaned properly. Adhere to the cleaning instructions given to you by your dentist or orthodontist to ensure that any bad breath is not coming from such an appliance.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
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Visit your dentist at least once per year. Ideally, visit your dentist twice per year to get thorough cleanings and to make sure you do not have any underlying conditions that may cause rampant bad breath. Some issues that may cause bad breath include abscesses, periodontal disease and impacted teeth.
Warning Signs of Periodontal Disease
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Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection in the mouth that affects the gums and tooth-supporting ligaments. A mouth affected by periodontal disease may have extra places for bacteria to hide. Here are some symptoms of periodontal disease:
-Red, swollen, bleeding gums
-Sensitive teeth and gums
-Loose teeth
-Pus around the teethContact your dentist if you believe you are exhibiting symptoms of periodontal disease so that he may examine your mouth and offer professional treatments.
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