1. Brush your teeth and tongue twice a day to banish bad breath. While you’re brushing your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste, brush your tongue – especially the back of the tongue. Brushing your tongue will remove smelly bacteria that cause bad breath. One study found that by brushing the tongue, volunteers reduced their perception of bad breath by 70%. You can also buy inexpensive tongue scrapers at most pharmacies.
2. Floss once a day for fresh breath. Flossing is a must. Flossing gets out hidden food particles and removes plaque, a coating of bacteria that forms around the tooth. Flossing also helps prevent periodontal disease another common cause of bad breath.
3. Gargle with mouthwash. An antimicrobial mouthwash is important if you have a problem with excess plaque.
4. Don’t let your mouth get dry. Stay hydrated by drinking an adequate amount of water (eight glasses a day are recommended). Limit caffeinated and alcoholic beverages, as both contribute to dehydration, as well as sugary and acidic juices that can also contribute to the problem.
5. Be careful what you eat. Certain foods, particularly garlic and onions, are notorious for creating bad breath. Some foods though actually help your breath to stay fresh such as apples, mint, celery and parsley.
6. Chew gum. Chewing gum will help with bad breath because the chewing action results in more saliva being produced. Some gums use xylitol as a sugar substitute that actually works to prevent bacteria from replicating in the mouth.
7. Quit smoking and avoid tobacco products. If you ever needed another reason to quit, here’s an easy one: smoking contributes to bad breath. Tobacco tends to dry out your mouth and can leave an unpleasant smell that lingers even after brushing your teeth.
If you’re concerned and would like to learn about what’s causing your bad breath, consider scheduling an appointment with your dentist. Given your full medical and dental history along with an oral examination, your dentist should be able to identify the culprit. The causes of bad breath are numerous and include certain foods, alcohol or cigarettes, poor oral hygiene, periodontal disease diabetes, dry mouth, sinus or throat infections, lung infections or abscesses, kidney/liver/ gastrointestinal diseases.
