7 Ways to Fight Against Bad Breath

We’ve all experienced it at one point or another, but that doesn’t make it any less frustrating. Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is unpleasant for yourself and can be embarrassing if you are speaking to someone else. It is more common than you may think. Chronic halitosis affects more than 80 million Americans and it usually originates from the gums and tongue. Thankfully, there are ways that you can prevent it from occurring and stop it in its tracks.

Brush Twice a Day

Even though pretty much everyone knows that they should be brushing twice a day, many neglect brushing their teeth before going to bed. This contributes to bad breath because you aren’t cleaning away plaque and food debris that has accumulated on your teeth during the day. You could also try an additional round of brushing with baking soda. This makes it more difficult for the bacteria that causes bad breath to grow.

Floss Daily

Even if you brush twice a day, you wouldn’t be reaching every area in the mouth. This is why it’s important to floss. By removing food debris and plaque along the gumline and between the teeth, you are reducing the number of halitosis-causing bacteria in the mouth.

Use a Mouthwash

A mouth rinse is a great addition to your oral hygiene routine. It helps to wash away leftover food debris and residue. However, you should be aware that mouth rinses only temporarily cover up the problem if you are dealing with chronic bad breath. It could even make it worse by drying out the mouth. If dry mouth is the cause of your bad breath, look for an alcohol-free rinse instead.

Brush Your Tongue

Alike your teeth and gums, your tongue can also harbor bacteria. When you brush your teeth, don’t forget to give your tongue a scrub. You could also invest in a tongue scraper from your local drug store to remove buildup and residue.

Drink Water

Dry mouth is one of the most common causes of bad breath. By drinking plenty of water throughout the day, you can prevent this from occurring. Drinking water also helps to wash away food particles and bacteria.

Chew Gum

Having a piece of sugar-free gum or candy can help to stimulate the flow of saliva in the mouth. Saliva neutralizes harmful acids, washes away food particles, and reduces bacterial growth that causes bad breath.

See Your Dentist

When you go in for regular appointments, your dental team removes buildups of plaque and tartar in the mouth that contribute to bad breath. If halitosis is an issue you’ve been struggling with, this is something that you should be bringing up to your dentist. They are best able to give advice on how to freshen up your smile and even provide you with bad breath treatment.

Bad breath is a common problem, but by taking these steps, you can stop it in its tracks and even prevent it from occurring in the first place.

About the Practice

At Framingham Premier Dental, you have not just one, but two well experienced dentists providing a wide variety of services, including bad breath treatment. Dr. Marianna Gaitsgory earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine from the Goldman School of Dental Medicine at Boston University and has completed numerous hours of training in multiple dental specialties. Dr. Jean-Marie Biebuyk has been in the field for three decades and is involved with multiple professional organizations including the Massachusetts Dental Society. For more information on preventing halitosis or to schedule an appointment, visit their website or call (508) 875-0900.