Bad breath is a perfectly normal dental issue we all face at some point in life. Medically called “Halitosis”, bad breath can result from poor dental health habits and, if prolonged, can also indicate a sign of other health problems. But here is the good news, there are many simple and everyday habits that you can include in your oral care routine to treat and prevent bad breath altogether. Here are 5 such habits or methods to combat bad breath, as per dental experts.
Brushing
It should sound pretty obvious that brushing daily twice a day, morning and before bed, is one of the basic ways to prdental clinicevent bad breath and treat them as well. Brushing your teeth gets rid of accumulated food particles or plaque, which are two common factors that cause bad breath over time. Following up your teeth brushing routine with a mouthwash that has antiseptic (kills germs that cause bad breath) and plaque-reducing properties can also treat bad breath temporarily.
Limit Alcohol Consumption and Stop Use of Tobacco Products
It shouldn’t be a surprise that tobacco products are directly related to periodontal disease and oral cancer, and most importantly, is one of the major causes of bad breath, teeth stains, and even loss of taste in chain smokers and heavy drinkers.
Heavy drinkers are also at an increased risk for gum disease, tooth decay, mouth sores, and oral cancer. One of the best ways to both prevent and treat bad breath is to limit alcohol consumption and stop using tobacco products. There are certain teeth whitening solutions that can treat teeth stains and discolorations for a more permanent solution.
Eat A Teeth-Friendly Diet
Although often overlooked or rather underrated, eating a clean, healthy diet is one of the easiest and most consistent ways to prevent and treat bad breath. Just as your other parts of the body, even your teeth appreciate a good diet. Chicken, fruits, vegetables, cheese, and nuts are all teeth-friendly foods that can treat and prevent bad breath.
On the other hand, you should consider avoiding foods and drinks packed with artificial coloring, and sugar. The way sugar interacts with the existing bacteria in your mouth is what causes bad breath, and it also puts your teeth at risk for decay and breaking.
Brush Your Tongue And Avoid Dry Mouth
Your tongue is a good bed for bacteria to live in. Carefully brushing your tongue just after you brush your teeth is a good way to prevent and treat odors. If you’re experiencing a coated tongue because of bacteria overgrowth, a tongue scraper is ideal. You can also use a toothbrush that has an in-built tongue cleaner.
To keep your mouth moist, chew gum, or suck candy (sugarless) to stimulate saliva. For chronic dry mouth conditions, you might have to get consultation at a reputed dental clinic. Depending on your condition the dentist may prescribe an artificial saliva preparation or an oral medication that can stimulate saliva.
Clean Dental Appliances
If you wear any dental appliances, clean them thoroughly at least once a day, followed by your brushing routine. Usually, dental appliances can trap old food and bacteria that give off an odor if they are not cleaned regularly. There are certain cleaning products that you can also use to clean dental appliances. You can ask for product recommendations from your dentist for this.
