Steps to beat back bad breath

Bad breath – no one likes it.  Not only is it unpleasant but anyone within close range to you will notice making it an embarrassing situation. Halitosis is the formal name for bad breath and can be due to numerous causes – a build-up of oral bacteria, dry mouth, gum disease, and smoking.  This common problem is reported to affect approximately 50 percent of the adult population.  Most people with it are unaware they even have bad breath yet nearly 60 million people will suffer from chronic halitosis in the United States. 

If you suspect or have been told you have bad breath, luckily there are many steps to take to beat it back.  This common problem for most people is an easy fix as long as you do certain things keeping your breath fresh:

·      Do daily brushing and flossing

The first and most logical step to get rid of bad breath begins with good oral hygiene. Daily brushing and flossing are necessary in eliminating bad breath.  Our teeth easily collect bacteria allowing plaque to build up on and between each tooth.  As bacteria multiply they give off unpleasant smells.  When we brush and floss teeth this helps remove bacteria along with plaque. Twice a day is the recommendation for brushing and flossing and to spend approximately 2 minutes doing so.

·      Use mouthwash

Mouthwash is a good way to freshen your mouth particularly when you need a quick fix.  Choose a good mouthwash freshens breath and kills germs protecting against bacteria.  Use mouthwash every day and ask you dentist on the frequency of using it daily. 

·      Stop smoking

Bad breath is bound to happen if you smoke. The only way to completely eliminate smokers’ breath is to stop smoking altogether.  Not only is your breath affected by smoking but also smoking can stain teeth and possibly cause cancer and do damage to your gums.

·      Avoid certain foods

Your food choices can play a significant role in how your breath smells.  Foods such as onions and garlic are well-known for causing bad breath.  Since these foods are also quite healthy for us, try avoiding when at work or when heading to a social setting; otherwise they can still be enjoyed.

·      Scrape your tongue

Maybe you’ve never heard of tongue scraping but this can be an effective method for removing food debris, dead cells and smelly bacteria on the tongue.  You can use your toothbrush to do the job or invest in an actual tongue scraper designed to clean your tongue. 

·      Treat gum disease

Anyone with gum or periodontal disease is at risk for bad breath.  Diseased gums can have bacteria living at the base of the gums creating an odor.  The way to treat this is to have your gums evaluated by a dentist for gum disease and then to get your gums healthy again. 

·      Chew gum after meals

An easy method for removing bad breath is to chew a stick of gum after a meal.  Chewing gum stimulates saliva which helps protect against acids, leftover food and sugars, all of which can contribute to bad breath.

·      Drink plenty of water

If you have a dry mouth in which you do not produce enough saliva, there’s a good chance you have bad breath. To help with dryness, drink plenty of water (at least 8 cups a day for women and 10 cups a day for men) to bring in more moisture to your mouth.

·      Make an appointment with your dentist

If bad breath persists despite your best efforts, make an appointment with your dentist.