3 Ways to Prevent Bad Breath

Bad breath is not a major dental health issue, but it can cause massive disruptions in your day to day life and have major implications for your self-esteem. Thankfully, there are a number of things that you can do to reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth that causes bad breath and improve your overall dental health.

Flossing

Though it's the advice that you hear every time you go the dentist, it actually has practical implications. Flossing your teeth can remove any food that has gotten caught between your teeth and prevent it from building up plaque and bacteria that can cause bad breath.

If you have issues motivating yourself, you should make use of floss picks, which are small plastic handles with a piece of floss tightened between the arms, to make the job easier, instead of using regular floss, which requires a certain amount of acrobatics with your fingers. As long as you floss at the same time you brush your teeth, you should see a marked decrease in your bad breath.

Hydration

A little known fact is that a dry mouth can actually contribute to bad breath. This is because water and saliva can help remove loose food particles and bacteria, thus improving the overall amount of cleanliness in your mouth. Simply remembering to drink several glass of water throughout the day can help improve your overall dental health and reduce your bad breath at the same time.

Tongue Scrapers

Though it may seem a little ridiculous at first, tongue scrapers can greatly reduce your bad breath. This is because your tongue takes up a significant portion of the surface area in your mouth, and is one of the ideal places for bacteria to take up residence. A tongue scraper can remove the white flaky buildup that can be hard to remove with a regular toothbrush, thus improving your overall dental cleanliness. In a similar train of thought, you should make sure to use your toothbrush to clean the inside of your cheeks and the roof of your mouth to remove any bacteria that may have built up there as well.

Avoid Certain Foods

You should stay away from foods that naturally have a strong odor, such as onions, garlic, and certain types of cheeses. In addition, you should avoid smoking or using any tobacco products as much as possible. Beyond basic health benefits, reducing your tobacco intake will drastically improve the quality of your breath.

For more information about oral health, contact clinics like Family & Cosmetic Dentistry.