Tips To Get Rid of Bad Breath Permanently

Bad breath, medically known as halitosis, can be caused by a number of factors. In most cases, bad breath originates in the mouth, so proper oral hygiene is essential for maintaining fresh breath. Listed below are a few ways to get rid of bad breath. 

Brush your teeth twice daily

There are millions of bacteria in your mouth that feed on the food particles left behind after every meal. The bacteria also thrive on the remnants of natural bodily secretions like saliva and mucus found in your mouth. When they are left to accumulate on the teeth and gums, oral bacteria multiply and produce volatile sulfur compounds that create bad breath. One of the best ways to prevent the spread of bacteria and combat the production of smelly sulfur compounds is by brushing and flossing the teeth regularly.

Always brush your teeth twice per day for two minutes at a time in order to properly remove plaque from the surface of the teeth and along the gum line. Be sure to brush your tongue as well, as it will help dislodge any trapped food or debris that could be contributing to your bad breath.

Floss at least once a day

It’s important to floss every day because flossing helps remove plaque and food particles from between teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach. Regular flossing is important for maintaining good oral health and fresh breath. 

Brush your tongue

The back of the tongue is the perfect place for bacteria to thrive. So it’s important to brush the back of your tongue every time you brush your teeth. Simply use your toothbrush or a tongue scraper to gently scrub the back of the tongue without pressing too hard.

Avoid dry mouth

A dry mouth occurs naturally when you sleep because your mouth is at rest, and saliva production slows down. However, if your mouth is constantly dry due to medications, illness, or a side effect of certain health conditions, then it can be very uncomfortable and painful.

There are several causes for dry mouth, including medications, dehydration, stress, smoking, caffeine intake, aging, hormonal changes, problems within the salivary glands, breathing through your mouth, and systemic diseases like diabetes and Sjögren’s syndrome. Talk to your dentist about tips to avoid a dry mouth. 

Adjust your diet

If you’re trying to get rid of bad breath, then it’s important that you take a look at your diet and try to identify any foods that might be causing your bad breath. There are many foods that are known to cause bad breath in many people. Try to avoid these foods as much as possible to improve the quality of your breath. Foods that are high in acid and sugar can be particularly bad for your mouth in general and can cause cavities and tooth decay, as well as cause bad breath. If you aren’t sure which foods are best to eat and which ones you should avoid, then you should talk to your dentist about how you can improve your diet without sacrificing the nutrients that you need to stay healthy.

Regularly get a new toothbrush

A toothbrush is designed to remove food debris and bacteria from your mouth so that it can stay healthy and odor free. However, your toothbrush can’t perform its duties effectively when it gets too worn out. When you notice that your toothbrush doesn’t clean as well as it used to, it may be time to replace it. Otherwise, you’ll be putting yourself at risk for tooth decay and bad breath as well.

In general, you should get a new toothbrush every three to four months. If you’re using a powered toothbrush, be sure to replace the brush head every three months. 

Schedule regular dental checkups

Visiting your local dentist every six months for a cleaning and checkup is the best way to care for your oral health and prevent any oral health issues from worsening. During each appointment, your dentist will screen for oral cancer and gum disease as well as clean and polish your smile. This deep cleaning will remove harmful plaque and bacteria from your mouth so that it does not build up and cause issues like tooth decay, cavities, and gingivitis. Regular dental visits also help to prevent bad breath by maintaining proper oral health.

If you are struggling with chronic bad breath, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with our office right away so that we can identify the source of your bad breath and treat it as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment is the key to addressing all oral health concerns.