Halitosis, otherwise known as bad breath, is an embarrassing condition, and one that people generally want to avoid at all costs. The good news, however, is that there are a number of things you can do to avoid getting bad breath, and many of the things you should do to avoid the condition are things you should be doing any way in order to maintain good oral health.
Halitosis is typically caused by bacteria that are allowed to sit in your mouth and multiply. One of the best ways to prevent this is to maintain a proper regimen of daily brushing and flossing. It’s important to brush your teeth at least twice a day, and preferably you should brush after meals as well. When brushing, you should pay attention to how long you brush, since many people don’t brush long enough to most effectively clean their mouths. Most dentists recommend you brush teeth for about 2 – 3 minutes each time, and many people choose to sing a song in their heads to approximate the time. Songs like “happy birthday” or another favorite song are popular choices.
When brushing, it’s important to make sure you hit the teeth at all angles, especially in the back and along the gumline. You should also gently brush your tongue to remove bacteria. There are tongue brushers or scrapers that can be used for this purpose, or you can use your toothbrush.
Flossing is a key component to halting halitosis, since particles that get stuck between teeth can be among the biggest breeding grounds for smelly bacteria in the mouth, which inevitably lead to bad breath. So, make sure you floss at least once a day – and whenever you feel like you have something “stuck” between teeth.
Visiting your dentist for routine cleaning appointments is also key to combating the effects of bad breath. Your dentist or dental hygienist is able to clean your teeth and gums more thoroughly than you can at home and can also recognize if there is any tooth decay in your mouth. Tooth decay can lead to increased bad breath, since the same bacteria that cause tooth decay are also culprits in the development of halitosis. It’s also important to discuss your bad breath with your dentist at these visits, since they can provide you with additional recommendations if what you’re doing is not working. Additionally, bad breath can sometimes be an indication of other medical problems, so it’s important to rule out anything more serious than an overabundance of smelly bacteria in your mouth if the problem persists.
Other things you can do to prevent bad breath include avoiding foods and drinks that are known to lead to bad breath. This can include foods like onions and garlic, certain spices, and drinks like coffee, as an example. If you smoke, quitting can go a long way towards improving the smell of your breath, as well as providing many other health benefits. As far as food goes, eating parsley or mint can help improve the smell of your breath, although these will not eliminate the problem and will only provide a temporary solution.
Bad breath can also be caused by a dry mouth, so if you think this is the cause, make sure to keep your mouth well hydrated by periodically drinking water (not sugary drinks which allow bacteria to proliferate) or chewing sugar-free gum, which can increase the production of saliva.
Halitosis can usually be improved with proper oral hygiene and avoidance of food, drinks and habits that can make the breath smelly, but if despite your best efforts, your bad breath doesn’t improve, it’s important to see a dentist or doctor to rule out more serious medical conditions that can cause your breath to smell bad.
For more information about how to combat halitosis, or to schedule an appointment with a dentist in Queens to find out what is causing your bad breath, contact Park Dental Care at 718-274-1515.
