Let’s
face it; no one wants to be around someone with bad breath! Yet, according to
the American Dental Association, 50 to 65 percent of people suffer from
halitosis. Of course, having good oral hygiene habits is the best way to keep
your mouth clean and your breath fresh, but when we’re eating, drinking and
talking during the day we might need a little refresher.
·
Floss every day – Don’t overlook
flossing, letting old food stay stuck between your teeth is a sure way to
become a victim of bad breath.
·
Scrape your tongue – Scraping, or at least
brushing, your tongue is a must when it comes to making sure your breath stays
fresh.
·
Use mouthwash – Mouthwash is another
great way to combat bad breath; we recommend one with fluoride and a minty
flavor.
·
Avoid pungent foods – We all know there are
some foods and drinks you just have to avoid when you want to keep your breath
fresh, i.e. garlic, onions, even coffee!
·
Drink lots of water – Not only does water keep you healthy, it keeps your breath nice by
rinsing your mouth and promoting saliva production, which fights against
plaque.
·
Try sugarless gum or mints – Sugarless gum is a
great, temporary way to prevent bad breath, without consuming sugar, which can
decay your teeth.
·
Snack on fruits or yogurt – Yogurt restores good bacteria in the mouth, freshening your breath
and eliminating bad-smelling bacteria. Fruits like apples and pears also
promote saliva production, freshening breath. Oranges and other fruits with Vitamin C are also good for
freshening your breath and can prevent gum disease.
The
best thing you can do to keep your breath fresh and smelling great is take care
of your teeth and your body as a whole. Make sure you are cleaning your teeth
thoroughly and following oral health recommendations from your dentist. If bad
breath persists, you may have or a more serious health issue that needs to be
addressed. In that case, call a physician and get a more thorough health exam.
Remember,
when you take good care of your teeth and gums it helps prevent more than bad
breath!