How Do I Get Rid Of Bad Breath?

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, can be an embarrassing problem to have. It can affect your overall confidence and affect your relationships with other people. If you have bad breath, here are a few helpful tips for you.

Brush your teeth after you eat

Everyone knows the importance of brushing at least twice a day. Besides, when you eat foods that contain strong smells, such as onions or garlic, brushing and flossing immediately afterward can get rid of that odor from your mouth, helping to improve your breath. If you’re unable to brush right away, chewing sugarless gum for 15 minutes can also help to freshen your breath.

If you can’t brush right after a meal, rinsing your mouth with water can help to remove some particles of food that may be left behind after eating and can improve the smell of your breath. The more water you use when you rinse, the better. However, avoid mouthwashes with alcohol in them because the more they dry out your mouth, the more your bad breath will be noticeable to others.

Floss at least once a day

Ideally, you should floss at least once every day. A good flossing technique is also key to fighting bad breath; clean between your teeth to remove food particles and plaque. This can help control the growth of bacteria that cause bad breath. Food particles also get stuck underneath your gum line and can stimulate bacterial growth in your mouth. When you don’t floss, this can lead to gum disease and create pockets where bacteria can hide. These bacteria release toxins that irritate your gums and cause inflammation. Inflammation leads to bleeding gums, receding gums, and other common symptoms of gingivitis. Talk to your dentist about the proper flossing technique if you struggle with this technique. They may recommend an interdental brush or another product, like an oral irrigation device, that will help you get into those hard-to-reach places. This will remove more bacteria and reduce your risk for gum disease.

Brush your tongue

The tongue can be a breeding ground for bacteria that cause bad breath. You can reduce symptoms of bad breath by brushing your tongue every time you brush your teeth. 

Clean your dental appliances

If you are currently wearing a set of dentures or simply need a retainer to keep your teeth straight, it is important that you clean them regularly. Bacteria can build up on these items and cause symptoms such as bad breath, red gums, and loose teeth. It can be tempting to avoid cleaning your dentures because you are nervous about damaging them if you drop them in the sink. If your denture starts to feel loose in your mouth, it is probably time to get them relined or replaced. A dental professional will be able to tell you when it is time to replace your dentures or repair them so that you can maintain your oral health.

Avoid dry mouth

A dry mouth can be caused by certain medications, alcohol, tobacco use, and even breathing through the mouth and not through the nose. Without sufficient saliva to lubricate the mouth, bad bacteria, and food particles can cling to the teeth and tongue and cause bad breath. Some patients with dry mouths also experience a feeling of chronic thirst, difficulty chewing, hoarseness, sore throat, and taste impairment. When a patient suffers from dry mouth as a result of another medical problem, your doctor will likely want to treat the condition first. However, there are simple techniques for masking bad breath caused by dry mouth. If you suffer from dry mouth, try these tricks for temporarily ridding yourself of bad breath until you can get to see your dentist:

• Chew sugar-free gum – The act of chewing increases your saliva flow and reduces the effects of dry mouth. 
• Eat crunchy foods – Crispy fruits and vegetables like apples, celery, carrots, and cucumbers are great to help stimulate the production of saliva in your mouth while also cleaning your teeth.
• Drink more water – Drinking water throughout the day helps eliminate dry mouth by hydrating the body. 
• Use a saline spray – A salt water rinse can help counteract symptoms associated with dry mouth. This can help increase the flow of saliva in your mouth while neutralizing acids created when the mouth is exposed to sugars.

Regularly get a new toothbrush

You should buy a new toothbrush every three to four months. A worn toothbrush won’t clean your mouth as well as a new brush, and it won’t effectively remove food particles and plaque from your gums. Toothbrushes with frayed bristles may damage your gums and make tooth brushing less effective. Buy toothbrushes that have the ADA Seal of Acceptance on them. 

Schedule regular dental checkups

At-home oral hygiene is a very important part of maintaining your oral health. However, it is important to visit your dentist for routine care every six months. Since dental hygienists have the specialized tools and training needed to remove hardened tartar from your teeth, they can prevent gingivitis, gum recession, and bad breath. They can also spot the early signs of oral cancer, diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, etc. They can then refer you to the appropriate specialist if needed.

Call (408) 830-0123 for an appointment or visit our office at 1298 Kifer Road Suite #501, Sunnyvale, CA 94086. Our dedicated dentists and staff will gladly take care of you!