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Good oral hygiene involves brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and seeing your dentist for regular checkups. But if you have bad breath, you may need to take care of your oral hygiene more seriously. Here are a few helpful tips. 

Brush your teeth after you eat

When food is left behind in your mouth after eating, it promotes the growth of bacteria that cause bad breath. Be sure to brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day – in the morning and at night before bed. Also, be sure to brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth to get rid of lingering food particles. Most patients with bad breath will be told to brush their teeth after they eat by their primary dentist during a professional teeth cleaning appointment. Simply follow your meal with a tooth brushing in which you really scrub each surface of your teeth. This will remove the food from your mouth and reduce the likelihood of you experiencing any unpleasant odor.

Floss at least once a day

Flossing helps get rid of plaque and bacteria between teeth and under the gum line. If you don't floss, you're missing more than one-third of your tooth surface! Bacteria can build up between the teeth and gums and cause gum disease and tooth decay. If left untreated, the damage can be irreversible.

The American Dental Association recommends flossing daily because it helps prevent cavities and improves your gum health. 

Brush your tongue

Bacteria live on the surface of your tongue and between your teeth. If you don't brush and clean your tongue regularly, the bacteria will remain on your tongue, causing bad breath. Use a tongue scraper to clean your tongue daily.

Clean dentures or dental appliances

If you wear dentures or have any oral appliances, it's important to clean them regularly in order to keep your mouth healthy. If food particles and bacteria stay on your appliance for too long, it can cause bad breath or make any existing bad breath worse. That's why it's a good idea to remove them at night and clean them thoroughly. 

Avoid dry mouth

Saliva helps cleanse your mouth and wash away food and bacteria that can lead to bad breath. A dry mouth can be caused by certain medications, salivary gland problems, or breathing through the mouth instead of the nose. It is important to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water each day to prevent dry mouth.

Adjust your diet

Sugars and carbs are the biggest acid reflux culprits when it comes to bad breath. Acid reflux occurs when stomach acids move back into your esophagus, causing a burning sensation in your chest, sore throat, nausea, and bad breath. Other foods to avoid include onions, garlic, spicy foods, and cheeses. If you smoke, this is another bad habit that can exacerbate bad breath, so consider quitting altogether. If you need help kicking the habit, ask your doctor about smoking cessation programs in your area.

Schedule regular dental checkups

Regular checkups are an important part of preventive dental care. Your dentist will help you maintain your oral health with professional cleanings and exams that help prevent problems from developing. These visits can also help you avoid serious and costly dental work in the future.

Visiting your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings can also help to keep your breath fresh. 

If you struggle with bad breath, schedule a visit with us right away. We can help determine the cause of your foul-smelling breath and treat it accordingly.