Morning breath – yes, everybody has it. Why? Because bacteria multiply in your mouth during the night with no flow of saliva to wash it away. This gets remedied as soon as you brush and floss. Eating onions, garlic and heavily spiced is also a bad breath culprit – pass the gum and mints. But if stinky breath persists throughout the day, it may be necessary to take additional measures.
As a side note, you may not be aware that your breath stinks until you notice people stepping away from you as you speak or offering you a breath mint. To find out if your breath smells, lick the back of your hand and check its odor after a few minutes.
Here are eight fresh-breath tips:
- Brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day and after every meal, if possible. Carry a travel toothbrush and paste to work and brush after lunch. Swirling water around in your mouth after eating is better than nothing.
- Get a dental check-up twice a year. Sometimes, bad breath is an indicator of a serious problem such as gum disease, an abscess, or a decaying tooth.
- Clean your tongue. Bacteria love to hid on the top of your tongue, especially toward the back of your mouth. That’s where a tongue scraper becomes useful. At the very least, brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth.
- Ever wonder why parsley comes on your plate with your entree? It’s because chewing raw parsley naturally cleans your mouth and palate and removes odors. Cardamom is also a natural breath freshener, as is peppermint and green tea.
- Dehydration can cause bad breath. Increase your intake of water – sip it throughout the day.
- Chewing gum increases the flow of saliva which helps wash bacteria away. Choose sugarless gum because bacteria love how sugar ferments. It goes without saying, then, that sugary foods and drinks should be avoided.
- If your bad breath comes on suddenly, the culprit might be a new prescription medication. Talk to your doctor, drink water and chew sugarless gum.
- Mouth wash can help get rid of bad breath, but be sure to use one that’s alcohol-free. Bacteria love alcohol when it converts to sugar…and the alcohol dries out your mouth.
We love you, our clients, and love taking care of your every dental need. Call to schedule an appointment for a throughout dental cleaning, today: (561) 627-9000.