How Do I Get Rid Of Bad Breath?

Good oral hygiene involves taking care of your teeth to keep them healthy, strong, and free of disease and decay. Poor oral hygiene can lead to bad breath, cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss. If you are someone with bad breath, here are a few helpful tips.

Brushing your teeth

The brushing action itself also stimulates your gums and makes them healthier, and reduces inflammation. Additionally, when you brush twice a day for at least two minutes each time, you remove the plaque that builds up on your teeth. When you do not remove plaque for a prolonged period of time, it hardens into tartar, which can only be removed by a dentist at your dental cleaning appointment. Plaque buildup can lead to cavities, gingivitis, periodontitis, and other oral diseases.

Regular brushing of your teeth and gums will help remove food particles stuck between your teeth after eating. These particles can cause bad odors in your mouth. Food particles can also swell up to form pockets where bacteria thrive and can aggravate periodontal diseases by causing gum inflammation and infection. By removing the food particles, you keep the bacteria under control, which further prevents bad breath.

Flossing

Flossing helps prevent bad breath by removing food from between the teeth. If you’re worried about bad breath, be sure to purchase high-quality dental floss and dedicate yourself to using it daily. Your dentist can recommend a brand of floss that will work best for your teeth. Call today!

Brushing your tongue

A primary cause of bad breath is the buildup of bacteria that cause decay and gum disease on the tongue. By brushing the tongue in addition to just the teeth, we can improve our oral hygiene and keep bad breath at bay. When brushing the tongue, use a toothbrush with a soft-bristled head or a special tongue scraper. 

Cleaning your dental appliances

It’s important to brush your dentures and dental appliances daily. These pieces are often soaked in bacteria from food particles after you have your meal. This can cause bad breath and stained teeth. Start by brushing to remove any plaque and food debris from the surfaces. Then soak them overnight in a denture solution for an added clean.

If your dentures are removable, then take them out each night before bed and store them in water or a denture solution overnight. This will help prevent the growth of bacteria and extend the life of your dentures. Make sure to also wash your hands before handling your dentures to prevent any contamination.

Altering your diet

Good oral hygiene and regularly visiting your dentist are the keys to keeping bad breath at bay. However, if you’ve tried all of the above methods and are still experiencing chronic bad breath, it may be time to take a look at your diet. Certain foods can promote decay-causing bacteria in your mouth, leading to more odorous breath. In addition, certain foods can dry out your mouth, causing you to produce even more mouth odors. The best way to combat this is by sticking to a healthy, balanced diet filled with fresh fruits and veggies. If possible, try to cut out high-acidic foods like coffee, wine, soda, and citrus. These beverages may smell great going down, but they may wreak havoc on your teeth once they’ve been absorbed into your system. 

Scheduling regular dental checkups

Visiting your dentist for regular checkups can help detect any potential warning signs of gum disease or other oral problems. A professional cleaning can also help remove plaque buildup that can form along the gum line and between teeth. We recommend visiting us every six months for a cleaning and checkup. We want to help you maintain healthy teeth and gums for a lifetime!

To learn more, schedule a consultation with one of our dentists today! We would be happy to discuss these treatments and determine which one is right for you. Call 925-292-1459 and book your appointment.