Top 7 Ways to Stop Your Bad Breath

by Newmarket Dentist Dentist Directory in Newmarket

Bad breath happens to everyone. We get bad breath after eating, from improper oral care, or even just waking up after a long sleep. Bad breath, called halitosis, is caused by anaerobic bacteria. Anaerobic bacteria are bacteria that hate oxygen, so they burrow deep into the surfaces of your mouth. They cause an unpleasant smell from their waste product. Gross, right?

Well, yes and no. You shouldn't worry about having these bacteria in your mouth since they are actually necessary for proper digestion. The only time you should worry is when there are too many of them. That's what causes the smell we all try to avoid with mints, gum, and mouthwash. However, by following our advice, you should be able to keep the number of these bacteria at normal levels. This will leave you with fresh smelling breath.

1. DO NOT Skip Brushing and Flossing Your Teeth

Brushing and flossing removes extra bacteria from your mouth. Flossing is particularly important because it removes the hard to reach bacteria and helps to fight gum disease.

2. Always Clean Your Tongue

The bacteria also like to spend time on your tongue, so it's a good idea to use a tongue scraper to (lightly) remove them.

3. Keep Yourself Hydrated

Saliva has both antibacterial and antifungal properties. Plus, when your mouth is dry, there is nothing washing away your odor producing bacteria and left over food particles.

4. Used Oxygenated, Alcohol Free Mouthwash

Alcohol dries out your mouth. An oxygenated mouth wash will help to further get rid of bacteria since they hate oxygen.

5. Chew Sugar-Free Gum

Sugar-free gum encourages your mouth to produce extra saliva. Plus, it picks up extra food left over in your mouth - a double win!

6. Crunchy Snacks are Your Friend

To rub away bacteria clinging to your teeth throughout the day, crunching on snacks like apples and carrots is a good idea!

7. Stop Skipping Your Dental Appointments

Your oral care provider is there to clean your teeth and answer any questions you have about your breath. If the above methods are not working for you, your dental clinic will be able to assess your mouth and further recommend additional treatments to get your breath smelling fresh again.