Unlike cavities or tooth loss, bad breath can be noticeable as soon as you open your mouth to speak.
However, this is not something you should be embarrassed to tell your dentist about. The sooner you find out the cause of your persistent bad breath, the better. Your dentist will identify the cause and recommend the best treatment plan for your condition.
Here are 5 tips for controlling bad breath
1-Daily flossing – Most people are used to brushing their teeth every day. Others brush three times a day to make sure their teeth stay clean and their breath smells good. However, we should not forget the importance of flossing. Floss removes food particles stuck between teeth that your toothbrush cannot clean or reach. If food debris remains on your teeth, it feeds bacteria and causes bad breath.
2-Clean your tongue – Use a tongue scraper. A tongue scraper removes debris that accumulates between the taste buds and folds on your tongue. If you don’t have this tool, you can sweep your tongue with your toothbrush from back to front.
3-Eat carrots, celery or apples – Eating such foods effectively eliminates bad breath. Fresh fruits and vegetables promote increased saliva flow to remove bacteria that can cause bad breath from your mouth. Also, eating these healthy foods helps reduce bad breath caused by hunger or fasting. 4-Drink more water – If you are thirsty, drink a glass of water instead of sweet, fizzy drinks. Water is good for both your oral health and your general health. Water helps to keep unpleasant odours in check by concentrating food particles and bad mouth bacteria, the two most common causes of bad breath.
5-Change your toothbrush – Toothbrushes play an important role in maintaining healthy and fresh breath and toothbrushes should be replaced every 3-4 months. Otherwise, you will not be able to brush effectively.
Having bad breath does not necessarily mean that you have poor oral hygiene. Other causes may include serious diseases such as gum disease and dry mouth, diabetes, lung infections, kidney, liver failure and stomach problems. Your mouth is the window to your body, so if you notice a persistent odour in your mouth, you should make an appointment with your dentist for a thorough examination.