Nothing ruins a social encounter more than bad breath. Cure your bad breath troubles with these 9 tips.
1. Brush and Floss More
Bad breath can be caused by bacteria-filled plaque as well as bits of food trapped between teeth. Brushing and flossing more can help get rid of these things but make sure not to overdo it. Too much brushing can wear down teeth and make them more vulnerable to decay.
2. Scrape your Tongue
Bacteria can also collect on the coating that covers the tongue, increasing the smell of bad breath. You can scrape this bacteria away with your toothbrush or get a scraper for maximum results.
3. Avoid Certain Foods
You may think that brushing after consuming onions or garlic takes care of things but it actually doesn’t do that much. Its best to stay away from such offenders for social occasions.
4. Use a Rinse
A germ-killing mouthwash can freshen your breath and get rid of bacteria. And don’t underestimate the power of water. Rinsing out your mouth with water after eating can go a long way in preventing bad breath.
5. Chew Gum Instead of Mints
You may think that mints and gum do the same thing to improve breath after eating. But the sugar in a mint is collected by bacteria in the mouth to produce acid, which can make breath smell worse and wear your teeth down. So, instead, opt for a sugar-free gum to freshen up.
6. Keep your Mouth Moisturized
As we sleep, our bodies produce less saliva and this is why we generally have bad breath in the morning – our mouths are dry. If your body doesn’t produce enough saliva throughout the day make sure to drink plenty of water to keep your mouth from getting too dry. Chewing gum can also induce saliva production and help moisten the mouth.
7. Take Care of Your Gums
Bad breath can also be caused by gum disease. With gum disease, bacteria gets in under the gums at the base of teeth and contribute to bad breath.
8. Say No to Tobacco
Tobacco can wreak havoc on your mouth so if you’re serious about improving your breath, it’s time to get serious about kicking the habit.
9. Visit a Doctor
If you think your bad breath may be related to something more serious, meet with a doctor about it to get a professional opinion and professional treatment.
