By Eliza • 8 Comments
No one wants to lean in close to someone with stinky breath. What if you’re the one that needs some help? It’s hard to detect bad breath when it’s you that has it, but you can definitely take steps to make sure yours is never a turn off. Of course, if none of these steps work for you, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor to rule out a health problem that might be causing your bad breath.
One of the most vital steps to keeping your breath fresh is to practice good hygiene. That means brushing regularly. Dentists recommend brushing for two minutes in the morning and another two minutes in the afternoon. Focus on the top teeth for one minute, then the bottom for the other minute. Use toothpaste that contains antibacterial ingredients because they’ll do a better job of killing off what causes odor.
In addition to the right toothpaste, you also need a good antibacterial mouthwash in your routine. You’ll use this to swish out your mouth after brushing to freshen your breath while also removing any remaining bacteria. Look for mouthwash products that contain cetylpyridinium chloride or chlorhexidine, recommend the experts at the Mayo Clinic.
Proper home care is a vital step in ensuring that you never have a bad breath moment, but it’s not enough. You should see your dentist every six months to a year for a professional cleaning. How often you go in depends on your dentist’s recommendations and the health of your teeth and gums. Gum disease can cause bad breath so you want to make sure you never develop it in the first place.
Dentists strongly encourage you to floss your teeth once a day. This helps get stubborn debris from between your teeth so you can brush and rinse it away. Forgoing floss can compromise your dental health, but it can also leave you with stinky breath. Buy some floss today and make it part of your nightly routine.
Tobacco and the other substances that make up your smokes are potentially deadly, but even if you never suffer a health issue, you can blame them for bad breath. Why? Because tobacco dries out your mouth. When that happens, bacteria builds up and you wind up with smelly breath. Talk to your doctor if you need help quitting for good.
I know – that sounds like a pretty horrible way to live life, but it’s necessary. Not only does sugar contribute to weight gain and wrinkles, but it coats your tongue and teeth, encouraging the growth of stinky bacteria. If you want clean, fresh breath, cut down on your sugar intake and make healthier food choices instead.
Water is your savior when it comes to fighting bad breath. It keeps your mouth hydrated and healthy. If you have an adorable water bottle to put it in, chances are that you’re more likely to sip regularly to prevent dry mouth and icky bad breath.
See how easy it is to have lovely breath all day long? Are there any of these tips that you were skipping? Any other tips for battling bad breath?