It could’ve been the onions you had for lunch, or maybe it’s just a simple case of “morning breath”, but everyone suffers from bad breath occasionally.
Usually you’re just having a bad day and it’s a temporary thing, but sometimes it’s a constant problem you might not even be aware of.
The good news is, no matter what the cause of bad breath, there is always something you can do about it.
Brush and floss daily
Good oral hygiene is a start. Everyone – bad breath or not – should brush their teeth twice a day, and for at least two minutes at a time. This will not only freshen up your mouth, but it will get rid of any food debris you’ve picked up during the day. This is why it’s especially important to brush before going to bed, so the food doesn’t have time during the night to eat away at your enamel.
Flossing will remove food debris from in between the teeth that a toothbrush can’t reach. If the food debris is not removed, the bacteria will begin to feed on it, starting the cycle of bad breath over again.
Brush or scrape your tongue
Your tongue is a magnet for bacteria, with the warm, organic tissue perfect for their growth. The easiest way to clean your tongue is to do just that – clean it. When brushing your teeth take the time to brush your tongue too.
If this makes you feel uncomfortable, or your toothbrush is too big for your tongue, then you can try a tongue scraper. These are special tools you can buy at a pharmacy or dentist and are designed to apply an even amount of pressure across the surface of your tongue, removing bacteria and food debris that regular brushing can’t do alone.
Drink plenty of water
Hydration is important for overall health, so you should be drinking plenty of water anyway, but it’s essential when combating bad breath.
Morning breath is caused by our mouths drying out when we sleep. This helps to encourage the growth of bacteria, resulting in bad breath when we wake up. Saliva is the natural way our mouths keep hydrated, so as well as drinking plenty of water during the day, chew on some sugar-free gum to keep your saliva flowing.
Avoid drinks like fruit juice and sodas. The high sugar content is devastating to your teeth, and bacteria love sugar, so you’re only stimulating their growth.
If you constantly suffer from a dry mouth, then talk to your doctor, as it might be a sign of an underlying health issue or a side effect of certain medications.
Avoid foods that sour your breath.
Of course, we all know certain foods leave us with bad breath, with onions and garlic being the worst offenders.
But do you ever brush your teeth after eating them and can still smell them? That’s because both garlic and onion contain sulphuric compounds which are absorbed into the bloodstream. They are then released through the pores when you least expect it, or make their way to your lungs where they are breathed out.
Now this doesn’t mean you should give up garlic and onion as they are good for you, but just be wary of when you’re eating them and try not to overdo it!
See your dentist for regular check-ups to prevent bad breath
Obviously there are many more ways in which your breath can smell, and the easiest way to keep on top of everything is to visit your dentist more often.
Regular check-ups will allow your dentist to assess the start of your oral health, and if there are any problems you should be aware of.
Bad oral health can also be a window into your overall health, and by examining your mouth, your dentist may find early warning signs of heart disease, diabetes, and even certain cancers.
If you do have issues with bad breath, your dentist will be the best person to ask for advice.
If you are looking for a dentist, or would like a change from your old one, then come see us here at SDAI. We have years of professional experience, dealing with every type or oral health issue, bad breath being a common complaint for many people.
Contact us today if you would like to know more about our practice or how we can help you.