Dealing With Bad Breath

‘Tis the season for gathering together with friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors. If you suffer from bad breath, it can be a very embarrassing problem to have during this time of year. Bad breath can negatively impact your personal and professional life. However, there are some simple changes in daily habits that can help you conquer this embarrassing issue.

  • Stop all tobacco use. Quitting tobacco use should be a priority for your overall health, but it should also be a priority if you want to achieve better breath. Tobacco damages all parts of the mouth and promotes bad breath. Vaping causes the same issues with bad breath, so if you have picked up this habit, it is time to call it quits.
  • Avoid stinky foods. This may sound silly, but if you eat something stinky, your breath will stink. Garlic, onions, coffee, wine, alcohol, and certain cheeses are notorious for their lingering odors long after you consume them. Pungent foods and beverages leave a residue behind inside your mouth, and some can stick with you for days. Avoiding these stinky foods is the only way to ensure that they do not affect your breath. However, this is not always desirable or even possible. It is helpful to carry a toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouthwash with you at all times. By rinsing and brushing your teeth after indulging in a stinky food or beverage, you can minimize the stench left behind.
  • Drink more water. A dry mouth is a stinky mouth. Water is necessary for all parts of the human body to function properly. This includes your mouth. A mouth that is not well-hydrated is full of stinky germs. Staying hydrated with a high water intake allows your mouth to produce adequate amounts of saliva to keep your mouth moist and wash away bacteria and residue from your teeth.
  • Practice good oral hygiene. The easiest way to deal with bad breath is also the simplest: floss daily and brush your teeth twice a day. Good oral hygiene keeps the teeth and gums clean and healthy. When there is plaque buildup inside the mouth, bad breath is always an accomplice. By taking just a few minutes twice a day to care for your mouth, you can eradicate bad breath.
  • Clean your oral appliances daily. If you wear any type of retainer, aligner, denture, or oral appliance, it is essential that you clean them daily. Appliances that rest in your mouth are notorious for harboring bad smells and affecting your breath.
  • Visit the dentist regularly. It is essential to visit the dentist twice a year for a thorough cleaning and checkup. Your dentist can assess any causes of bad breath and help you treat it. Even with daily oral hygiene, your dentist can get your mouth much cleaner during a single visit. This thorough cleaning will give you a clean slate and a better chance at having good breath.

Posted on Behalf of Montevallo Family Dentistry