4 Tips to Get Rid of Bad Breath
Posted on: 5 October 2021
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Bad breath is embarrassing, concerning and can have a debilitating effect on your professional and personal life. If you are not sure why your breath smells, but other people have told you that it does, then try following these tips to get rid of the problem.
1. Make Sure You Are Brushing Correctly
Everyone brushes their teeth, but many people make common mistakes that mean that their teeth end up not as clean as they should be. For example, many people brush for too short a period of time, which means that plaque remains on the teeth at the end of the brushing session. Other people brush their front teeth really well but forget about the back teeth. Alternatively, they might brush the sides of their teeth but forget about the chewing surfaces.
Next time you brush your teeth, put away any distractions and focus fully on the task. If you use an electric toothbrush, then the timer will alert you when you have brushed each quadrant of your mouth for long enough so you can move on to the next.
2. Don't Skip Flossing
While most people make time to brush, many people don't bother flossing if they are in a rush. However, flossing is just as essential as brushing to preventing bad breath. If you do not floss your teeth, traces of food can remain between them, acting as a fuel source for bacteria. Flossing every day can reduce the number of bacteria in your mouth, which should lead to fresher breath.
3. Rinse After Eating
Mouthwash is another useful tool in your fight against bad breath. The best time to use it is immediately after a meal. If you do this, it performs the dual purposes of washing traces of potentially smelly food out of your mouth and combatting bacteria that can contribute to odour. Choose an alcohol-free mouthwash if you suffer from dry mouth to avoid making that problem worse.
4. Consult Your Dentist
Some stubborn cases of bad breath can be a sign that there is something more serious going on. For example, bad breath is often a symptom of gum disease, a condition that is easy to treat in the early stages. However, it can become very serious if left untreated. Your dentist can let you know if you have gum disease and give you treatment to restore your gums to full health, which might also have the effect of making your breath smell fresher. Contact a dentist to learn more.