A good oral hygiene routine is the foundation for a healthy smile. Brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day, regular dental checkups, eating a balanced diet, and not smoking can all help you achieve good oral health. If you are someone struggling with bad breath, here are a few helpful tips.
Brush Your Teeth Twice Daily
It’s recommended that everyone brush their teeth twice a day. If you have been told that you have bad breath, it is especially important to brush your teeth in the morning and after you eat dinner every day. Brushing your teeth removes food particles that are stuck between your teeth and gum line and also removes the filmy plaque that builds up on teeth throughout the day. A little bit of mouthwash can also help keep your breath fresh and prevent it from smelling bad.
Try to brush your teeth for at least two minutes each time you’re brushing. Many electric toothbrushes have a built-in timer that can help you reach the recommended time. If your gums bleed when you brush, you may want to talk to your dentist about changing your brushing technique. Avoid using hard-bristled brushes as they can damage your tooth enamel and cause gum recession. Instead, opt for a brush with soft bristles.
Floss At Least Once Daily
Don’t forget to floss once per day as well to ensure that the food particles are removed from between your teeth and that your gum health is up to par. Plaque buildup can lead to gingivitis if left untreated, so it’s important to keep flossing on a daily basis. Food that is left in between your teeth can also break down and lead to an unpleasant smell from your teeth and gums, which causes bad breath.
Brush Your Tongue
Bacteria can hide out between teeth and on the tongue. By brushing your entire mouth daily, including your tongue, you will help eliminate bad breath bacteria. This will also help to freshen your breath.
The back of your tongue is a rough surface which increases odor-causing bacteria. Using a toothbrush with soft bristles and a gentle back-and-forth motion to remove bacteria and food debris from your tongue can help make your mouth feel cleaner.
Clean Dentures Or Dental Appliances
If you wear dentures, clean them daily to remove food particles and plaque. If denture adhesive dries out, your dentures might not fit right.
Avoid Dry Mouth
Saliva is the body’s way of rinsing away bacteria and food debris in the mouth. Due to certain medications and medical conditions, you can experience decreased saliva production, which is bad for your oral health. Certain foods can also dry out the mouth. If you are concerned about your dry mouth symptoms, talk to your dentist to identify a treatment plan that works for you.
Common causes of dry mouth are smoking, dehydration, and lack of saliva-stimulating hormones in the body. Some diseases and conditions that can cause dry mouth include diabetes, Sjogren’s syndrome, HIV, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, rheumatoid arthritis, mumps, and thyroid issues. Medications like antihistamines, antidepressants, anticholinergics, diuretics, blood pressure medication, and drugs for urinary incontinence can also cause dry mouth.
Some lifestyle habits that can contribute to dry mouth include: smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, chewing tobacco, breathing through your mouth, eating foods that are very spicy, salty, acidic, or sugary, drinking less than the recommended amount of water per day, or sleeping with your mouth open.
A dry mouth can be uncomfortable and painful. Consult with your dentist if dry mouth becomes a problem for you.
Adjust Your Diet
Some people don’t realize that certain foods can affect their breath. This is particularly true when it comes to eating spicy foods, onions, garlic, etc. This is because these foods cause your body to produce more sulfur, which is a major player in foul-smelling breath. By cutting back on these types of foods and drinks, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of having bad breath.
Regularly Get A New Toothbrush
Your teeth can decay prematurely if you continue to use the same toothbrush for too long. The bacteria that stick to your toothbrush can multiply and repopulate your mouth once you brush again. It is ideal for changing your toothbrush every three months to keep your oral health on track!
Additionally, you should replace your toothbrush after you’ve been sick. This can help stop the spread of bacteria and viruses that could be causing you to have bad breath and tooth decay.
Briarwood Family Dentistry, located in Aurora, CO, offers the best and most gentle dental care services to patients. Dial (303) 680-6000 and book an appointment with us to learn more about our dental services.