Many people struggle with bad breath. While you may have tried all of the traditional remedies such as brushing the tongue and flossing regularly, there are many other strategies you can implement to keep bad breath at bay. Here are some good habits for preventing bad breath:
Watch Your Diet
The food you eat is exhaled through the breath. Avoiding foods and eating patterns that contribute to bad breath is a good idea. There are certain diets (including low-carb diets and extreme fasting) that can contribute to bad-smelling breath. On the other hand, there are also foods that can make your breath sweeter. Apple slices, celery, and raw carrots help clear the mouth of debris and are a good snack to pack in your lunch if you are self-conscious about your breath. Avoiding harmful breath busters including onions and garlic will also help.
Drink Water
Drinking water can help accelerate the process of removing harmful debris and bacteria from the teeth. In the event that you can’t brush your teeth right after a meal, drinking a bottle of water can help cleanse your teeth and keep your mouth fresh.
Avoid Coffee
Although many people find coffee to be a tasty treat, the smell is difficult to remove from the back of the tongue. Switching to a healthier, less offensive alternative such as green or herbal tea can help.
Don’t Smoke
Avoid smoking and the use of other types of tobacco products. Snuff, pipes, and cigarettes all contribute to foul breath.
Eliminate Alcohol
Alcohol can cause your mouth to become dry. As a result, drinking beer and wine can cause your breath to smell bad for 8 to 10 hours after you’ve consumed the beverage.
Try Sugarless Gum
If you’re serious about avoiding bad breath, try chewing sugarless gum. When you chew sugarless gum twenty minutes following your meal, you contribute to the flow of saliva. In addition, gum that is 100% xylitol-sweetened can contribute to a reduction in cavities. Additionally, the gum produces a cooling sensation that contributes to fresh breath.
Avoid Breath Mints
Although many people think breath mints are great for reducing bad breath, they are just a mask. In reality, they do nothing to eliminate or reduce the bad bacteria that contribute to foul breath. Finally, the sugar from the mints sits on the teeth and can make bad breath worse. For this reason, it’s a good idea to avoid after dinner mints when you dine out.
Don’t Skip Dentist Visits
Remember that regular consultations with Dr. Scott Runnels can help you optimize the condition of your breath as well as the aesthetic appeal of your teeth. Even if you brush and floss regularly, this cannot compare to the deep cleaning accomplished with annual or semi-annual dental visits.
Contact M. Scott Runnels, D.M.D., P.A. Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics today to schedule an appointment and get further tips on maintaining good breath.
