Everyone gets bad breath from time to time. You may brush, floss, use mouthwash and chew gum but sometimes, no matter what you do, your bad breath sticks around. Bad breath can be caused by anaerobic bacteria that hate oxygen. They cause inflammation and make your breath, well, stink.
Also, kids are more prone to bad breath that is why it’s important to help kids brush their teeth well. These stink causing bacteria in your mouth like to hide in the dark back corners, where it is difficult to floss or use a toothbrush. These same oxygen hating bacteria are also the cause of gum disease and tooth decay. So how do you get rid of bad breath?
Here are some ways to get rid of bad breath and to keep your mouth smelling clean and fresh:
Table of Contents
Stay Hydrated
You’ve heard it before, but keeping hydrated is an essential part of dental health. Water not only rinses away food particles that might be stuck in your teeth (which can be a cause of bad breath as they start to decay). It also helps your body produce saliva. Saliva washes away the acid from these plaque-causing bacteria and with it the stinky smell of bad breath.
Stay Away From Alcohol-Based Mouthwash
Although they may taste minty fresh, alcohol-based mouthwashes can actually increase the dryness in your mouth. When your mouth is dry, the bacteria thrive and produce more odours and irritation. Your saliva is naturally antibacterial and antifungal, and that helps your dental health and keeps your breath smelling good. If you’re having problems with your smile or how your teeth look, you can always visit Simcoe Smile Dental.
Brush and Floss Everyday
Ok, so this one isn’t such a secret, but it is super important. Good dental hygiene, including brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste and flossing every day is one of the best things you can do to fight bad breath. Cleaning your teeth gets rid of food particles and plaque and rinses away bad breath causing bacteria.
See Your Dentist Regularly
Along with good dental hygiene, one of the most important things to do to prevent bad breath is to keep up with your regular dental check ups at Dr. Mark Rhody Dentistry. Your dentist can check to make sure you don’t have any underlying problems, which could be the cause of your bad breath problem. They will also do a thorough cleaning and clear away any stubborn plaque or tartar buildup.
Eat Your Probiotics
Not all bacteria are created alike; good bacteria promotes a healthy digestive system and can help give you sweet-smelling breath. Fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi and kombucha help good bacteria to thrive, which means there is less of a chance for harmful bacteria to grow.
Chew Your Gum
Chewing sugarless gum when you are done eating is not only a pleasant way to end a meal, but it can also help promote good breath and dental health. Make sure your gum is sugarless. Gum helps to rinse away food particles and plaque stuck in your teeth by increasing your saliva production. These food particles can grow bacteria if not cleaned away.
Stop Smoking
Smoking is terrible for your breath, not only because of the smell of stale smoke and nicotine — but because smoking dries out your mouth. As we’ve seen, a dry mouth is a haven for harmful bacteria that love to grow on leftover food particles and tooth surfaces. So to ditch the lousy breath, ditch the smoking habit.
