Bad breath can often be resolved with improved oral hygiene habits.  

Bad breath is an unpleasant — and fairly common — problem. Although it is sometimes caused by an underlying health issue (in which case it should be dealt with by your dentist), it is often possible to resolve the problem with improved oral hygiene habits and a few lifestyle changes. If you are concerned about your breath, read on for our tips on keeping your mouth fresh…

1.  Keep your teeth clean

One of the best ways to keep your breath fresh is to practise proper oral hygiene every day. When plaque builds up on your teeth and gum line, the accumulated bacteria can cause bad breath. Food particles stuck between the teeth can further contribute to the issue. It is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily. These will go a long way toward removing plaque and food debris. If you are still concerned about your breath, you might consider brushing and flossing more often, such as after meals and snacks.

2.  Rinse your mouth

You may find it helpful to incorporate mouthwash into your daily oral hygiene routine. Most mouthwashes are formulated to leave you with a fresh, minty breath. Some even have antibacterial properties that can benefit your overall oral health. It’s also a good idea to rinse your mouth with water after you have eaten a meal or snack. It helps to clean out the mouth by getting rid of food particles that may have been left behind.

3.  Don’t forget your tongue

It’s important to brush your teeth regularly, and when you do so, it’s advisable that you clean your tongue as well. It is because odour-causing bacteria and plaque often accumulate on the tongue surface. You can clean your tongue by brushing it gently with your toothbrush, but if you prefer, you can use a scraper designed to remove bacteria and other debris.

4.  Avoid certain foods and drinks

In many cases, bad breath is caused by the foods and drinks we choose to consume. Particularly smelly foods like garlic and onions actually enter the bloodstream and lungs, which means we breathe out their odour long after we’ve finished eating.

Certain drinks, such as coffee and alcohol, can also contribute to bad breath. They tend to dry out the mouth, which reduces the production of saliva and allows bad-smelling bacteria to stay in the mouth for longer periods of time.

5.  Chew some gum

If you’re out and about and unable to brush your teeth after a meal, it’s a good idea to chew on some sugar-free gum in the meantime. Chewing on gum promotes saliva flow, which naturally helps to protect the mouth from the harmful acids in plaque that can lead to issues like bad breath and tooth decay. Just make sure that you choose a gum that does not contain sugar — the bacteria in your mouth digest sugar and use it to produce the acids that can wear away from your enamel and contribute to bad breath.

How can we help?

At Crown Dental Group, we are committed to helping our patients maintain optimal oral health. Our team is available to answer any questions you have about your oral hygiene and lifestyle habits and will provide you with all the advice and information you need to keep your smile looking and feeling good in the long term.

If you are suffering from bad breath, we encourage you to come in and see us. We will determine the cause of the issue, and if we identify an underlying issue, we will recommend a treatment plan that suits your particular needs.

We offer a range of general, cosmetic and orthodontic treatments at our practice — to find out more about our dental services, please have a look here.

To arrange a consultation at Crown Dental, please get in touch here.