Dealing with bad breath can be an embarrassing and lonely experience. Worries about the odour of your breath can make it difficult for you to interact normally in both social and professional settings. If bad breath is interfering with your life, consider working your way through the following tips.
1. Brush and Floss Thoroughly
Before you try other methods of treating bad breath, it is worth making sure your dental hygiene routine is correct. It is very common to think you are doing everything right by brushing every day, when in fact that brushing session is rushed or misses parts of the mouth. Try using an electric toothbrush with a timer to let you know how long to brush each quadrant of the mouth. Be sure to brush your tongue too.
Flossing is also important as it removes traces of food that get stuck between the teeth. It also removes dental plaque that your toothbrush cannot reach. If you are not already flossing every day, be sure to add it to your routine.
2. Rinse After Meals
Rinsing your mouth after you eat helps to wash away traces of leftover food which can otherwise contribute to bad breath. You can simply swish water around your mouth to get most of the benefits of rinsing or use mouthwash for extra antibacterial protection and a burst of minty freshness.
3. Change Your Diet
Avoiding smelly substances like onions, garlic, coffee, and tobacco is an obvious tip for dealing with bad breath. However, you should be aware that there are other dietary changes you can make that might help to freshen your breath. Eating too much sugar — or drinking too many sugary drinks — can lead to bacterial overgrowth in the mouth. Conversely, ultra-low-carb diets can induce a state called ketosis, which can give breath a strange sickly sweet odour. The best diet for fresh breath is a balanced mixture of starchy carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
4. Get Help From Your Dentist
Sometimes, bad breath is a sign that you are suffering from a serious oral health problem, such as gum disease. If the above tips do not help you, then you should schedule an appointment with your dentist to find out if your bad breath has an underlying cause. Dentists can treat gum disease very successfully, which could lead to your breath smelling much better and your mouth being healthier overall.
