There are a lot of reasons to keep your teeth clean. Maintaining good oral health will help avoid tooth decay that can lead to cavities or even infections; plus, there are aesthetic benefits – a healthy smile looks good. One thing that gets talked about only sometimes is bad breath! Bad breath (also known as “halitosis” in severe cases) is a fairly common problem that can affect anyone, and you’ll want to avoid it. At best, bad breath can be unpleasant for those around you, and at worst, chronic bad breath can make others want to avoid you. This can affect your self-confidence and even your social life. Yes, you can cover up the occasional bad breath with gum or a mint, but those odors will keep returning unless you get to the root issue. So how can you keep your teeth healthy and clean to combat bad smells? Keep reading to find out.
1. Brush and Floss Your Teeth Regularly
It would be best to brush your teeth at least twice daily – once in the morning and once before bed. Without regular brushing, plaque, and tartar can build up on your teeth. Plaque contains bacteria that can accumulate in your mouth, leading to dental issues such as tooth decay and cavities and causing bad breath. Be sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a good toothpaste and get into all those hard-to-reach places like the teeth at the very back of your mouth (molars). It would help if you aimed to brush your teeth for two full minutes at a time. Most of us can keep up with regular brushing, but answer honestly – when was the last time you flossed your teeth? You should be flossing daily and be sure to get between all teeth. Food particles and bacteria can build up between your teeth and along the gumline without flossing. These areas can be harder to reach with brushing alone. Imagine small pieces of food sitting in your mouth for days or weeks! Unsurprisingly, skipping out on flossing can cause major bad odours in your mouth.
2. Use a Tongue Scraper
Along with brushing and flossing, you should also scrape your tongue. Bacteria can linger on your tongue and be the source of bad breath. You can gently brush your tongue with your toothbrush or purchase a specific tongue scraper designed specifically to clean the tongue’s surface. This removes bacteria, food debris, and dead cells you might not reach with your toothbrush, helping keep odours at bay.
3. Avoid Strong Foods and Drinks
Certain foods and drinks such as garlic, onions, alcohol, and coffee can cause strong, not-so-pleasant odours in your mouth. Try avoiding these foods before socializing if you can. If you want to keep some of your favourite foods, then give your teeth a good brush or rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash afterward so you don’t show up to your meeting reeking like the tuna sandwich you had at lunch. (This might be a circumstance where gum will do in a pinch.)
Certain foods are good at fighting bad breath! Crunchy fruits and vegetables like carrots, celery, or apples help produce saliva, which can clean out some odour-causing bacteria in your mouth. Ensure you also drink enough water throughout the day, which keeps you hydrated and helps clear your mouth of bacteria. Swishing your mouth with water after eating can also eliminate food particles stuck in your teeth. As a bonus, eating nutritious foods and drinking enough water is also good for your health!
4. Don’t Smoke
Of course, quitting smoking is easier said than done, but it really is worth the effort for both your oral health and overall health. Aside from being incredibly bad for your health in general, smoking also stains your teeth, damages your gums, and causes chronic bad breath. Also, smoking tends to dry out your mouth, creating an environment for bacteria to multiply and worsening odours. Fortunately, there are nicotine patches and other methods available. If you’re ready to quit smoking but need some help, try talking to your doctor to find a plan that works for you.
5. See Your Dentist Regularly
It’s important to schedule regular appointments with your dentist. Even if you’re good at sticking to an oral hygiene routine like brushing and flossing, professional teeth cleaning by your dentist or dental hygienist will give you a deep clean that you might not be able to obtain with your toothbrush. You may not realize that plaque is building up in certain areas, leading to bacteria and bad breath. Your dentist will scrape away any built-up plaque and tartar. Also, tooth decay and cavities will inevitably cause bad breath, and you may not realize you have any. Regular dentist visits are the best way to spot tooth decay or gum disease, which can lead to bad smells and other oral health issues. It’s recommended to visit your dentist every six months.
6. See a Doctor
Chronic bad breath might be a sign of an underlying medical issue. Infections or inflammation in the nose, sinuses, or throat can lead to bad breath. Also, some diseases like diabetes, liver disease, some metabolic disorders, and even certain cancers might have bad breath as a symptom. Consider seeing a doctor if your bad breath continues despite your best efforts. Seeing your doctor won’t only help with your halitosis problem, but in the case that there is another medical issue at hand, finding and treating diseases early on is better than discovering them much later.
Everyone suffers from bad breath occasionally, whether it’s your morning “coffee breath” or something a little more serious. If bad breath is becoming a common issue for you, know there are several ways to combat the smell. Seeing your dentist regularly or your regular doctor, if the problem persists, can keep your smile healthy and your breath clean and fresh! Keeping up with good oral hygiene habits like brushing, flossing, and eating nutritious foods will go a long way in preventing unpleasant odours that might make you a little self-conscious.