Did you know that one in four people struggle with bad breath? If you’re one of them, then you might constantly be self-conscious when interacting with others. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to help stop the stink. Here are five tips for getting rid of bad breath effectively!
Tip #1: Visit Your Dentist for a Checkup and Cleaning
If bad breath is a persistent issue for you, priority number one is scheduling a checkup with your dentist. That way, they can determine if the root of the problem is untreated decay or an infection. If it is, then they can create a personalized treatment plan to restore your healthy teeth and gums, eliminating the source of the odor in the process. Of course, if an underlying oral health problem isn’t the source, they can still conduct a thorough cleaning to freshen your breath!
Tip #2: Clean Your Tongue
Your tongue takes up a large amount of real estate in your mouth. If you’re not cleaning it consistently, it can become home to bacteria, food particles, and germs, creating an unpleasant white film along the base. The good news is that you don’t have to buy a special tool – you can use your toothbrush to keep your tongue clean! Simply place the bristles toward the back and gently move forward until you reach the tip of your tongue. Rinse your brush and repeat as needed.
Tip #3: Floss Daily
Think all you have to do to keep your breath fresh is brush once or twice a day? Not the case! Since brushing only cleans about 60% of the surface of your teeth, you need to floss each morning or evening each and every day. This will ensure that food particles and plaque don’t get stuck between your teeth, negatively affecting your breath.
Tip #4: Drink Plenty of Water
From staying hydrated to preventing dry mouth, there are several reasons you should drink water throughout the day. One of them is that continually rinsing away debris from your mouth will help prevent bad breath! So, if you don’t have one already, get a big, reusable bottle so it’s easy to continually sip on water throughout the day.
Tip #5: Chew on Sugarless Gum
Chewing on a stick or two of gum is one of the easiest ways to instantly freshen your breath. Of course, sugarless products are the best since they don’t increase your chances of developing a cavity in the process. The good news is that there are sugar-free options in virtually every flavor, from strawberry melon to classic mint!
About the Practice
With convenient hours and a multitude of treatments in-house, our team at Westgate Dental Care aims to make taking care of your smile as seamless as possible. If you’ve been struggling with a persistent odor on your breath, then we encourage you to schedule an appointment with one of our talented dentists so they can pinpoint the source of the problem and provide personalized recommendations on what to do next. To talk to our team or schedule an appointment, visit our website or call (847) 908-3684.