Nobody likes to have bad breath, but sometimes it can become a chronic condition that you struggle to control. Medically, bad breath is known as halitosis, which causes a bad odour in the mouth resulting in poor dental health habits and is a sign of other health problems.
Bad breath can also stem from the foods you eat which lead to a strong bad odour in the mouth when you breathe and speak.
What Habits Cause Bad Breath?
Certain lifestyle habits can cause bad breath. Here are some of the more popular ones:
- Poor brushing and flossing – Brushing and flossing are important so that the food debris in the mouth doesn’t cause any tooth decay. The food debris, if not digested, can also produce a bad odour through bacterial growth.
- Gingivitis – Gum disease translates to tender gums and bad breath. Eventually, if untreated, it can make gum disease worse.
- Smoking And Tobacco – The smell of a cigarette is never a pleasant smell. The smoke can dry out your mouth, a common cause of bad breath.
- External Conditions – Bacteria can form on the back of the tonsils to produce a bad odour. Other conditions such as infections and inflammation in the nose and throat are also causes.
How Can I Get Rid Of Bad Breath?
There are steps you can take right now to remove bad breath from your mouth.
Brush And Floss Your Teeth Properly
It is one thing to brush and floss your teeth, but it’s another thing performing it properly. If you’re showing signs of dental plaque coating your teeth, it’s a sign that you’re either not brushing and flossing, or you’re doing it wrong.
Ensure that your soft-bristle toothbrush isn’t damaged, is regularly replaced, and that you’re gentle when stroking the toothbrush on your teeth.
Rinse The Mouth
Mouth rinses should not be underestimated because they help to digest your food, including any lingering food debris. You can rise your mouth either with lukewarm water with salt or an antimicrobial mouthwash for fresher breath. Rinse your mouth daily after brushing so you go through the day with a healthy and clean mouth.
Perform Tongue Scraping
After eating, food debris is more likely to land on your tongue. This then builds into bacteria and is a source of bad breath. To remove the bad odour, perform tongue scraping so that the bacteria is swiftly removed off the source of the tongue. All bacteria and debris would be removed if you use a tongue scraper.
See The Dentist Regularly
It is recommended that you visit the dentist twice a year. This may change depending on any oral health conditions the dentist needs you to visit for. At a dental check-up, you will go through a professional dental clean to avoid any conditions such as periodontal disease or dry mouth, two causes of bad breath.
Keep Drinking Water
Water helps to keep your salivary glands moist. Saliva helps to digest your food and wash away any bacteria. Ensure you drink water throughout the day and not just with your meals.
Eat Fruit And Vegetables
Eating fruit and vegetables keep your mouth moist and combats any odour-causing dental plaque. Apples, celery, kale and pears are examples of choices that can help fight bad breath.
For your breath to smell fresh and clean, follow these steps for your mouth to feel fresher and for your breath to smell stronger for longer. If you have any other halitosis-causing conditions which result in a bad odour, it is important that you consult your dentist to get them checked out.
If you live around Springvale and nearby areas, our professional dental team of Dentist Springvale is always ready to help you.