Bad breath occurs when you have poor dental health habits such as not brushing your teeth regularly. It can also be a sign of other health problems that you may be having. Bad breath can be worse if you consume certain types of foods and maintain unhealthy lifestyle habits.
Failure to brush your teeth daily, food particles will remain in your mouth. These food particles promote bacterial growth on your tongue, gums as well as between your teeth. If you want a permanent solution to your bad breath problem, then you should see a bad breath dentist.
Here are some of the tips you can apply to beat bad breath:
1. Floss and brush your teeth regularly
The most effective way to overcome bad breath is to maintain good oral hygiene. This implies brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing at least once daily. Daily flossing is recommended because the accumulation of plaque leads to tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. Brush after every meal using fluoride toothpaste to remove the food remains and plaque. Remember to replace your toothbrush every two months.
2. Clean your tongue regularly
Your tongue contains lots of bacteria and food debris under its uppermost layer of mucus. This thin layer of mucus can be removed by daily brushing and flossing. If these bacteria are allowed to accumulate in your mouth, they will cause bad breath. So, ensure to brush your tongue every time you are cleaning your teeth.
3. Keep your mouth hydrated
As you grow old, you are more likely to have a dry mouth, and this can make you have bad breath because your saliva helps to wash away food debris present in your mouth.
You can prevent bad smell by drinking lots of water during the day. Use of sugar—free chewing gum also helps increase saliva production
4. Eat healthy foods
Protein-containing foods such as meat, fish and dairy products can cause bad breath because of the gases produced when the bacteria present in your mouth break down the food debris. You should brush your teeth after eating such foods to prevent bad breath.
5. Visit the dentist
Bad breath can be a sign of another health problem such as dental caries or gum disease. Therefore, it is essential to go for check-ups whenever the bad breath persists even after using mouthwash or brushing.
Bad breath is a condition that can affect your self-esteem and prevent you from communicating effectively with your colleagues at work. If you have had a persistent bad breath, then you should consult specialists at Bright Smiles Dentists on the Sunshine Coast to assist in management and cure of bad breath