Get a Breath of Fresh Air by Preventing Bad Breath
Imagine leaning in for a good night kiss at the end of a date, only to get rejected with an emphatic, “No thanks, your breath smells!” While you might not confront such an extreme situation, bad breath can negatively affect your life. Our oral health experts want to share with you the secrets to preventing bad breath.
What Causes Bad Breath?
Food starts to break down before it reaches your stomach. If any food gets stuck in your teeth after a meal, bacteria form to break it down. This bacteria is helpful because it stops food from making a permanent home in your mouth, but if it isn’t cleaned out, it can start to damage your teeth and gums and cause bad breath.
Leftover food and bacteria lead to the formation of plaque, the sticky buildup on your teeth that causes toxins to form in the mouth. The toxins eat away at your teeth and irritate the gums. If left untreated, this condition can lead to gum and bone damage.
Tips For Preventing Bad Breath
If you have chronic bad breath, it’s likely your mouth has an excess of bacteria. Get rid of it with these tips:
- Brush and floss regularly. Most people only brush their teeth for 30 to 45 seconds, which is not long enough to really clean your teeth. Aim to brush your teeth twice a day for at least 2 minutes. If your breath is particularly nasty, don’t let food stick around in your mouth after meals. Brush and floss after every meal to stop bacteria buildup.
- Use antiseptic mouthwash. Regular mouthwash only freshens breath temporarily. Choose a mouthwash that fights bacteria to permanently get rid of bad breath.
- Drink lots of water. If brushing your teeth after every meal isn’t an option, drink plenty of water after eating. Water rinses your teeth clean of new bacteria and debris.
- Chew sugarless gum. Chewing gum stimulates saliva production. Saliva neutralizes the acids produced by plaque and washes away dead cells on your gums, cheeks, and tongue.
Don’t let sugar sit on your teeth. The tradition of ending a meal with dessert couldn’t be worse for your teeth. There’s a reason dentists tell you to stay away from candy. The carbohydrates stick to your teeth and cause bacterial growth.