There are easy ways to improve your breath and keep your mouth fresh. These are activities that will help keep your gum and teeth healthy at the same time. Here are 9 simple ways you can make your mouth feel clean and fresh.
Source: Smiles Dental Group
1. Brush more than once a day.
There are sticky build ups called Plaque that collect bacteria which causes bad breath. Food left behind in our mouth can increase the chances of having more plaque build-up, making it important for us to brush and floss more often.
As it is commonly known, brush your teeth at least two times each day, and floss at least once. If you feel your situation is a bit extreme, you can do this more than twice a day. It is important to not overdo this though as brushing too hard can wear down your teeth, making them vulnerable to decay.
2. Take Advantage of mouthwash.
Mouthwash is good support after brushing your mouth. They do not only keep your breath fresh, but they also add extra protection by getting rid of bacteria. Before buying a mouthwash, ensure it is in a minted flavour that you would like. Use a good mouthwash and stop bad breath at its source.
Using plain water can also be helpful if your bad breath isn’t towards the extreme. You can swish your mouth with plain water after you eat. It can get rid of food particles that get stuck in your teeth.
3. Scrape your tongue.
There is a coating at the top of our tongue, and they can be a host for smelly bacteria. In order to get rid of them, use your brush to gently scrape over your tongue.
It is usually best to have a normal-sized brush that can reach the back of your tongue. You can also try a scraper which are designed specifically to apply even pressure across the surface of the tongue area and remove bacterias, food debris, and dead cells that brushing alone can’t take care of.
4. Be conscious of foods that sour your breath.
Food and vegetables like Onions and garlic are the kind of food you should be wary of when trying to kill bad breath because brushing after eating them doesn’t help much.
These kinds of food have substances that cause bad smells and they make their way into your bloodstream then travel to your lungs which houses the air you breathe out.
The best solution for this kind of food is to avoid eating them, especially when amongst a group of people.
5. Tobacco is a major trigger.
Aside from the fact that smoking can damage lungs, cause cancer and stain your teeth, it can also give you bad breath.
You can try getting some over-the-counter nicotine patches to help you tame the urge to smoke. You can also choose to speak to a specialist about your need to quit smoking. There are many programs available to this cause, as well as prescription medications that can help you give up tobacco for good.
6. Chew sugarless gum.
The bacteria in our mouth love sugar. They live on it. They use it to make acid which wears down our teeth and causes bad breath. So rather than going for a gum that has sugar in it, chew sugarless gum instead.
7. Keep your gums healthy.
Problems with our gums can also cause bad breath. Gum disease that involves bacteria gathering in pockets at the base of teeth can be a major cause of mouth odour.
If you are suffering from any gum disease, ensure it is treated fast.
8. Keep your mouth moist.
Lack of saliva in the mouth can cause tooth decay and bad breath. When we do not talk for a long while, this causes our mouth to dry. So during your day, drink plenty of water to keep your mouth moist.
9. See your doctor.
If your bad breath continues despite your best efforts, make an appointment with your doctor. They’ll check to see if your problems are related to a medical condition.
