Prevent Bad Breath Tips from Cardinal Orthodontics

Preventing Bad Breath

Bad breath, or halitosis, is caused by several factors. Causes of bad breath include the food you eat, poor dental hygiene, or other unhealthy lifestyle habits.

When you eat foods with strong odors, it absorbs into your bloodstream and carries to your lungs, which affects your breath.

Poor dental hygiene is also a characterization of bad breath. Failing to brush and floss allows bacteria to grow in between your teeth, around your gums, and on your tongue. Occasionally, bad breath is a sign of another health problem, such as gum disease, dry mouth, or cavities.

Luckily, there are a number of things you can do to treat and prevent bad breath: 

  1. Practice good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth 2-3 times a day and floss at least once a day. Replace your toothbrush every 2-3 months, or after an illness. Clean your dentures or retainers regularly.Cardinal Orthodontics St. Louis
  2. Avoid any foods or liquids that may cause bad breath. Don’t smoke or chew tobacco-based products, since both of these can cause bad breath. Avoid alcohol, as it may lead to dry mouth, and don’t drink too much coffee, since its smell is hard to erase from your breath.
  3. Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated will help keep your mouth moist and produce saliva to wash away harmful bacteria and food particles from your mouth.
  4. See your dentist regularly. This will ensure that you stay on top of any tooth or gum problems in order to both prevent and treat any issues that lead to bad breath. If you are struggling with bad breath, your dentist can also recommend anti-septic mouth rinses to kill the bacteria in your mouth.

If you follow these tips, bad breath will become a thing of the past. Always remember to practice good oral hygiene, and you will eliminate many oral problems before they even begin.