It’s easy to make jokes about bad breath, but for many, the embarrassment of this condition has a negative effect on their quality of life. Luckily, there are proactive steps you can take to get rid of bad breath. If this is a condition you struggle with occasionally, regularly, or even daily, follow these tips:

Bad Breath Is a Condition

And we’re laying out the facts here:

Identify the Cause

The most reliable way to get rid of bad breath is to figure out what’s causing it in the first place. Bad breath can be caused by many factors, but there are a couple of common culprits.

• Tobacco – Using tobacco in any form can make your breath smell bad, and not just like tobacco.
• Diet – Foods like garlic and onions can leave lingering odors on your breath. The odor is not completely eliminated until the food has been fully digested.
• Dry Mouth – Food particles and bacteria can build up in the mouth of people that struggle to produce adequate amounts of saliva.
• Infections – If you can’t identify any other cause, your bad breath might be the result of an infection elsewhere in your body. If you suspect this might be the case, consult a physician immediately.

Prevent Bad Breath by Flossing

Flossing is one of the best things you can do to promote oral health, and it can actually help you eliminate bad breath before it starts. Flossing daily removes food particles and bacteria from your teeth, including the spaces in-between teeth that brushing misses. Small buildups of food and bacteria can quickly lead to offensive odor, so make sure you take daily steps to clean them away.

Promote Saliva Production

Saliva is a natural mechanism for cleaning the mouth, and if you don’t have enough, it can cause your mouth to feel and smell dirty. If you don’t produce enough saliva, this could be the cause:

• Drinking Alcohol – Alcohol can cause your mouth to dry up. Make sure you brush and floss after a night on the town.
• A.M. Hours – Your body produces less saliva when you sleep, leading to a dry mouth in the morning. Make sure you brush and floss soon after waking up.
• Dehydration – If you are dehydrated your body will naturally produce less saliva. Drink plenty of water and remember that chewing foods promotes saliva production.

Use a Tongue Scraper

Bad breath is common, but some people experience chronic bad breath, a condition know as Halitosis. In these extreme cases, a tongue scraper might be able to help. This tool gently scrapes the surface of the tongue, removing bacteria that can lead to bad breath. Tongue scrapers are available at most drug stores and inexpensive, but you can get the same benefits by simply using your toothbrush to scrub your tongue.

Consult Your Dentist about Your Bad Breath

If none of these remedies helps to eliminate bad breath, consult a dentist. And do not avoid speaking to an oral health expert out of embarrassment. Bad breath is a real condition, and a dentist can help you find a cause and a solution. Contact a specialist at MyOrthodontist, and look forward to a future of clean, fresh breath.

Find a Location  Learn About Us

New Patient?

Download the following coupon to save on your first MyOrthodontist appointment. If not, we still have some unbeatable seasonal savings, check out what you could save on your next appointment.