How Do I Get Rid Of Bad Breath?

Bad breath, or halitosis, is embarrassing and can affect your confidence. Bad breath can also be a sign of an underlying health issue.

Brush your teeth after you eat

Food particles and bacteria collect in your mouth when you eat. If they aren’t removed with proper dental hygiene practices like brushing after meals, then the bad bacteria between teeth and on the tongue will multiply and produce foul-smelling sulfur compounds that will cause bad breath. We recommend that you brush for at least two minutes twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to remove food residue and plaque from your mouth.

Floss at least once a day

The bacteria that cause bad breath hide in hard-to-reach places in your mouth. This includes between your teeth and underneath your gums, which you can’t reach with your toothbrush. This is where flossing comes in. When you floss every day, you remove any food particles that are stuck in these areas. This prevents them from sitting and decaying and causing a foul odor in your mouth. We recommend brushing twice a day for two minutes each time and flossing at least once daily to maintain great oral health and clean, fresh breath.

Brush your tongue

When you don’t brush your tongue, you allow bacteria and food particles to remain on the tongue’s surface. This causes bad breath. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush or a tongue scraper will help remove these substances from the tongue. Always follow the brushing and flossing with a thorough rinsing of the mouth. 

Clean dentures or dental appliances

You should clean your dentures daily just like you would care for your own teeth. Dentures should be brushed over a soft-bristled brush and rinsed under running water. This removes food particles and other debris that can cause bad breath. After cleaning your dentures, be sure to rinse them well before putting them back in your mouth. Be sure you are storing them in a safe carrying case where they cannot break or fall.

Avoid dry mouth

A dry mouth is a condition that can be caused by certain medications or by aging. If you don’t drink enough water, you can become dehydrated, which can lead to dry mouth. Saliva helps to wash out your mouth, and it prevents bacteria from building up on teeth. Without saliva, bacteria build up and can cause bad breath, gum disease, and other oral infections.

Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day. You can also chew sugar-free gum to help keep your mouth moistened. However, avoid sugary drinks like sodas and alcohol that can further dry out your mouth. Talk to your dentist if you suffer from dry mouth, and they can give you tips on managing this condition.

Adjust your diet

Certain foods can cause bad breath. You can prevent this by minimizing your intake of sugary foods and beverages. You should also limit your consumption of alcohol since it can dry out your mouth and cause unpleasant odors. Tobacco is also known to cause bad breath and oral cancer. People who smoke are encouraged to quit as soon as possible to improve their overall health, as well as the health of their teeth and gums.

Some people suffer from chronic dry mouth, which can be caused by certain medications or by breathing through your mouth at night, which can lead to dehydration. Saliva is important because it helps wash away plaque and food particles that build up on your teeth throughout the day. If you’re experiencing persistent dry mouth, talk to your dentist about your treatment options. Your dentist might recommend saliva-stimulating products or suggest specific changes to your daily routine to help alleviate your symptoms.

Schedule regular dental checkups

If your dentist determines you have chronic bad breath, you can work together to get the condition under control. Your dentist may prescribe an antibacterial mouthwash that you can swish around your mouth and teeth to help eliminate bacteria from your gums. They may also recommend a prescription-strength mouth rinse that contains enzymes that kill odor-causing bacteria and break down plaque. You might also be given a referral to a periodontist for gum disease treatment. Scheduling regular visits with your dentist will help you maintain excellent oral hygiene to keep your oral health in tip-top shape. During a dental cleaning, you will receive a professional deep cleaning that removes bacteria and debris from the hard-to-reach areas of your mouth that your toothbrush can’t reach on its own. Dental checkups also give your dentist the opportunity to identify and treat any decay or other threats to your smile early to prevent the need for fillings or more extensive dental treatments.

Make an appointment with us today at (432) 570-7080 or email us at primarydentalclinic@gmail.com for further questions. Get in touch with our office at 4519 N Garfield St., Suite 16A, Midland, TX 79705.