How Do I Get Rid Of Bad Breath? Helpful Tips

Halitosis, more commonly known as bad breath, is a common problem. Everyone gets a case of bad breath every now and then, and most of the time, it's nothing to worry about. If bad breath persists despite good oral hygiene, it might be a sign of an underlying problem. One of the leading reasons for bad breath is poor oral hygiene. Food particles left in the mouth begin to decay, causing bad breath. When you don't brush and floss your teeth, it allows bacteria to grow, which leads to bad breath. Other factors that can contribute to bad breath include dry mouth, tobacco use, poor diet, sinus issues, gum disease, dehydration, and infections. Here are some ways to eliminate bad breath.

Brushing your teeth twice a day

It's important to brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste at least two times a day. If you brush in the morning before you eat or drink anything and again at night before bed, that will help get rid of bad breath bacteria in your mouth.

Make sure you brush for two minutes each time you brush. To make sure you brush long enough, set a timer or use an electric toothbrush that beeps after two minutes. This will make it less likely that you will stop brushing too early.

If you don't brush long enough, you might not be cleaning all the surfaces of the teeth. That means that some cavities might start forming between teeth, and decay can get worse without your knowledge.

If you're not using a soft-bristled toothbrush, you could be damaging your enamel and gums. If the bristles are too hard, they can wear away the enamel of the teeth and irritate the gums. A soft-bristled toothbrush is recommended by the American Dental Association.

Using fluoride toothpaste is also important because fluoride helps strengthen the enamel of your teeth, making them more resistant to tooth decay. It also helps repair early signs of tooth decay by remineralizing the damaged tooth structure. Fluoride also helps make your teeth resistant to acid attacks from foods and beverages.

Flossing at least once a day

Did you know that brushing cleans only a portion of your mouth? This means that there's some portion that's untouched by the bristles of your toothbrush. Food particles and bacteria can hide in these areas and lead to tooth decay and gum disease. When you floss at least once a day, you remove plaque from these areas, too! 

Brushing your tongue

The rough surface of your tongue is filled with tiny cracks where bacteria and food particles can hide. To get rid of bad breath, effectively clean your tongue by brushing it with a soft-bristled toothbrush or a tongue scraper. 

Clean your dental appliances

If you wear a removable dental appliance like a retainer or a denture, make sure you clean your oral appliances daily to prevent bacteria buildup. If you're unsure how to clean your removable appliance properly, ask your dental hygienist for instructions the next time you come in for a checkup.

Avoiding dry mouth

A dry mouth can lead to bad breath because there is less saliva washing away food particles and bacteria. Also, when you are sleeping or unconscious, your mouth is unable to produce saliva, but bacteria will still be present. If you suffer from dry mouth, rinse with fresh water or even specialty breath freshening sprays designed specifically for dry mouth. Talk to your dentist about other medications that may contribute to the issue. Common medications that may cause problems with dry mouth are antihistamines, antidepressants, decongestants, painkillers, diuretics, muscle relaxers, and even birth control. Your doctor may be able to prescribe a different medication if your current one causes you to have a dry mouth.

By following these tips for everyday oral care, you will have the best chance of having healthy teeth and gums free of tooth decay, gum disease, and other issues that can cause bad breath.