If you want to fight bad breath, building healthy oral cleaning habits is a great place to start.
Brushing your teeth after eating (or sugary drinks) can help keep your breath fresh. However, there are extra steps you can take to kill the bacteria that may be causing issues just under the surface – or in other areas of the mouth.
Make Flossing a Habit
One way to reach places your toothbrush can’t is to floss. Flossing can remove plaque, food particles, and bacteria both in between teeth and below the gumline. A lack of flossing may lead to gingivitis – a periodontal disease that can cause gums to get red and puffy and can cause bad breath.
What’s worse – if left untreated, gingivitis can even harm the rest of your body. If it gets the chance to enter your bloodstream, it can travel to other areas, increasing your risk of other health complications such as stroke, diabetes, or heart disease. Flossing can not only help you keep your breath fresh; it can help fight more significant problems down the line.
Use Mouthwash
Even with a healthy routine of brushing and flossing, it’s a good idea to use a mouthwash that kills bacteria. Not only will this help reduce the likelihood of bad breath. It also kills the bacteria buildup in the mouth that causes it.
Brush Your Tongue
Tongue cleaning has been proven to reduce bacteria on the tongue, and repeated practice keeps it low. Brushing your tongue as part of your everyday brushing routine has also shown promise at reducing plaque.
Swap in New Toothbrushes Regularly
Toothbrush bristles have a finite amount of effectiveness. Eventually, the bristles will begin to bend back and away, doing a less than adequate job of removing plaque and bacteria from our teeth. It’s best to swap in a fresh toothbrush every three months or so to ensure you’re getting the best performance out of it when practicing your daily brushing ritual.
Drink Water
A dry mouth offers a better place for bacteria to thrive. By drinking water regularly and throughout your day, you help with saliva production and clear your mouth of nasty germs.
Don’t Skip Your Checkups
Your dental hygienist can help you clean hard-to-reach spots and give you tips and tricks for upping your dental hygiene practices to keep bacteria – and bad breath – at bay.
Whether you’re visiting us for cosmetic or general dentistry, we provide a comfortable experience with results that will last. Contact us to book an appointment today!