Keeping Your Mouth Fresh and Clean

It’s one thing to wake up with bad breath. It’s another for it to persist as you go about your day and interact with people. It’s not the most pleasant topic to discuss, but for many, it is a necessary one. If you suffer from bad breath, also known as halitosis, we can prescribe several remedies.

Bad breath is most often caused by poor oral hygiene. When food particles remain on and between your teeth, they encourage the growth of bacteria, which release gases that cause your breath to smell bad. Our primary recommendation is to brush your teeth—and your tongue—twice a day, and floss daily. This will go a long way toward eliminating bad breath.

Certain foods and habits can also contribute to bad breath. In addition to good oral hygiene, we have a few more tips:

• Avoid strong-smelling foods, such as garlic and onions. Though gum, mints and mouthwash can temporarily freshen your mouth, once these foods are digested, they enter your bloodstream and move on to the lungs. The odor may persist for quite a while.
• Drink plenty of water and chew sugarless gum. These help keep your mouth moist and wash away food and bacteria, keeping your mouth fresh and clean.
• Drink green or black tea. In addition to keeping your mouth moist, tea inhibits the growth of bacteria in the mouth.
• Avoid tobacco products. If you need yet another reason to quit smoking, keep in mind that smoking is not just harmful to your teeth and gums, it is also a prime contributor to bad breath.
• Rinse your mouth with peroxide or mouthwash. Since alcohol may dry out your mouth, if you experience dry mouth, look for an alcohol-free mouthwash.

If bad breath persists, call our office for an appointment. It could be a sign of a more serious dental or medical problem, such as tooth decay or gastrointestinal issues. But the primary keys to keeping your breath fresh are regular brushing and flossing along with regular checkups.