Does Your Breath Stink? 6 Dental Care Tips for a Better Smelling Mouth

Want to get rid of bad breath? Take steps to improve your oral health with better dental care. Most bad breath is caused by the bacteria that causes plaque, cavities, and gum disease. When you improve your dental health by brushing, flossing, and seeing your dentist regularly, you reduce your risk for cavities and gum disease, and you get rid of bad breath. It’s a win-win. Here are 6 ways to improve your breath and have a healthy mouth at the same time.

Brush & Floss Regularly

Plaque is a sticky buildup on your teeth that also traps bacteria that causes gum disease and cavities. It also causes bad breath. You can improve your breath by brushing at least twice a day, and flossing at least once. For better breath, brush and floss more often. This removes nasty smelling bacteria as well as food that gets stuck in your mouth.

Brush Your Tongue

Your tongue is also a breeding ground for bacteria. In addition to brushing your teeth, brush your tongue as well or use a tongue cleaner. This will remove bacteria as well as scrape off dead tongue cells that can cause bad breath.

Rinse with Mouthwash

Mouthwash freshens your breath, and it also kills bacteria in your mouth that causes cavities and gum disease. Make sure the mouthwash you use is specifically designed to kill germs that cause bad breath.

Drink a Lot of Water

Dry mouth happens when you don’t have enough saliva in your mouth. This is especially early in the morning when you wake up with morning breath. Drink water throughout the day, ideally at least six to eight 8 ounce glasses. This will keep your mouth moist and hydrated, as well as remove any built up food and bacteria. Drinking plenty of water essentially gives your mouth a bath.

Chew Sugarless Gum

Chewing gum throughout the day increases your saliva levels, which prevents dry mouth. Extra saliva cleanses your mouth of bacteria that causes bad breath, cavities and gum disease. Be careful to only chew sugarless gum, as the extra sugar can cause tooth decay, which will also increase bad breath.

See Your Dentist Regularly

Seeing your dentist is important in keeping up with your oral health. We can suggest tips and lifestyle changes that improve dental care and minimizes the risk of cavities. We’ll also nip dental problems in the bud before they lead to serious tooth decay.

Regular cleanings will also remove tartar, which in turn will improve your breath.