3 Helpful Tips To Get Rid Of Bad Breath

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, can be embarrassing and affect many aspects of your life, including your relationships. It can affect your personal or professional life, it can affect your ability to socialize, and it even can interfere with your intimate relationships. In most cases, bad breath originates in the mouth. There are many possible causes, including poor dental hygiene, dry mouth, and gum disease. If you suffer from bad breath, here are a few quick tips to eliminate it.

Brushing your teeth

Brushing your teeth is an important way to get rid of bad breath and infections of the mouth. It’s recommended that you brush your teeth twice per day for at least two minutes at a time. Many people brush their teeth for a shorter period of time but don’t realize that it takes longer to effectively clean the teeth and remove the plaque and food debris from the teeth and gums. To properly brush the teeth, hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums and use small circular motions while gently brushing the outside, inside, and chewing surface of each tooth. Don’t forget to clean the gumline to remove bacteria and food particles that can cause tooth decay and gum disease. You should replace your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head every three months or when it becomes frayed or damaged. Make sure you hold the toothbrush with the bristles at a slight angle to create less pressure on the teeth and gums. Feel free to contact your dentist if you have any questions about the proper way to brush your teeth.

Flossing your teeth

Flossing removes harmful bacteria and food particles from between the teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach. Make sure to floss both sides of every tooth and to pull the floss out toward the edge of the gum line in order to prevent damage to your gums. Use about 18” of floss so that you can wrap the ends around your fingers for better control. You can also use an interdental brush to clean between teeth.

Brushing your tongue

Many people don’t know that brushing the tongue is important in achieving fresh breath and good oral health. A good tongue scraper can help to remove plaque and food debris from the tongue’s surface. A soft-bristled brush or toothbrush can be used to clean the tongue's surface as well. If using a toothbrush, place the bristles along the surface of the tongue and gently move the brush back and forth several times. Rinsing the mouth afterward can remove odor-causing bacteria and food particles from the back of the throat.

Also, reduce the amount of alcohol and tobacco consumed, as these can irritate the mouth and promote tooth decay and bad breath. In addition to drinking plenty of water daily, eating a healthy diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables can also help promote better oral health and fresh breath. Eating fibrous foods helps stimulate saliva production, which helps wash away food particles and reduce the production of harmful acids that cause tooth decay.

To schedule your next dental visit, contact our dentist in Chesterfield, MO, today! You can call us at 636-532-2101 or schedule an appointment online to consult our dentist at Licata Dental.