Breath mints, breath strips, breath spray, mouthwash, sugarless chewing gum – other than brushing and flossing your teeth, these are among the most popular methods of freshening bad breath on a moment’s notice. Unfortunately, they’re not always as effective as you might wish, depending on the cause of your persistently bad breath.
Most often, bad breath is actually a foul-smelling sulfur gas released by certain oral bacteria, and fresher breath means controlling your mouth’s microbial population. The good news is that your dentist can help you keep your breath as fresh as your smile is beautiful with a few tips to combat the source of chronic bad breath.
Tired of Bad Breath? Try This!
Eat Breakfast
For many people, bad breath is often a routine part of waking up in the morning. When you sleep at night, your saliva production slows considerably, allowing oral bacteria to gather with impunity. Eat a well-balanced breakfast before brushing your teeth in the morning to kick-start your salivary glands after a night of rest. Increasing your saliva flow will help rinse away the overnight buildup of germs and your resulting bad breath.
Drink Water
While eating helps stimulate your saliva flow in the morning, maintaining that flow throughout your day is just as important. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water to provide your body the moisture it needs to produce saliva, which is comprised of over 99% water.
Visit Your Dentist
If your bad breath persists even after you’ve cleaned your teeth, then it may be time to visit your dentist for a checkup and cleaning appointment. A professional checkup and cleaning will allow your dentist and hygienist to thoroughly clean away oral bacteria that lead to bad breath and more. Your dentist can also check your mouth for signs of tooth decay or gum disease, which can also produce bad breath as a symptom.
