5 Easy Tips to Beat Embarrassing Bad Breath -

5 Easy Tips to Beat Embarrassing Bad Breath

Bad breath can be horrifying and embarrassing for those who suffer from the condition—and for those around them! Don’t accept bad breath as normal, it’s not! Beat it by following these 5 easy tips.

Before I share those tips, let’s be clear on what causes bad breath. Only by understanding the condition fully will you be able to beat it.

What is Bad Breath?

Bad breath normally goes beyond just that familiar sour odor. Chronic bad breath is a symptom. It’s a clear indication to dentists that there’s an underlying problem. The clinical name for the condition is halitosis.

This differs from the occasional bad breath that occurs after eating something pungent like garlic bread but then disappears after brushing your teeth. This is an ongoing condition that some patients can’t seem to shake without the intervention of a dentist.

For these patients, chronic halitosis sufferers experience loss of self-confidence along with the disease.

What Causes Chronic Halitosis?

There are many factors that can cause bad breath. If your oral hygiene is good, but you still suffer from halitosis, schedule an appointment with your dentist asap. This condition is symptomatic of several medical conditions:

Tooth decay
Poor oral hygiene/leaving food stuck between the teeth
Plaque buildup
Periodontal Gum disease
Diabetes
Oral cancer
Respiratory disease

The most common cause of bad breath is oral hygiene that needs some improvement.

It doesn’t mean that you’re not brushing your teeth, it means you’re not brushing and flossing them well enough! This leaves food decaying between the teeth. As the food breaks down, it gives off foul odors and causes bad breath.

Remember that your dentist is an important partner in your wellness. She will advise you on how to beat bad breath as well as help you pinpoint the exact cause of your bad breath. If she determines the cause is not a medical issue, she will also advise you on the next steps to take to resolve your concern.

So, if the at home tips we are sharing don’t work for you, it’s important that you seek guidance from your dentist.

5 Easy Tips to Beat Bad Breath at Home

Fortunately, most cases of halitosis can be resolved with improvements to your brushing and flossing at home.

Here are 5 tips to try at home that can be a game-changer. These are adjustments to your oral hygiene program that can help you rid yourself of hygiene-related halitosis.

Become a Better Brusher

Most patients swear they brush their teeth twice daily, and they probably do. Yet, bad breath persists. The key might be in ensuring that you are brushing your teeth for at least two minutes, two to three times daily.

If you brush for less than two minutes, you are taking shortcuts without even realizing it. Not giving any one section of the mouth the attention that it needs can foster plaque build-up. Set a timer on your smartphone for that 2 minutes, and you’ll see just how that much time allows you to really give yourself a thorough brushing

Don’t Skip Flossing

Flossing is essential not only to plaque removal, but also to prevent diseases caused by gum inflammation. Flossing should be done daily.

Some patients say the floss daily, but they can’t reach the back teeth very easily. They are right. Those back teeth are difficult to reach. And, that’s the area where we most often detect cavities.

Fortunately, you’re no longer limited to regular dental floss. Try dental floss picks to help you access those back areas.

Try Oral Hygiene Rinse

Swap your mouthwash out for a better oral hygiene rinse. These can help improve the strength of your tooth enamel, calm down gum inflammation, and kill bacteria. Therefore, you are addressing the cause of the bad breath rather than just masking it.

An Apple a Day

Carry an apple with you to work to eat after lunch. Crunching away at an apple or carrot can help freshen your breath when you don’t have access to your toothbrush. Chewing these crunchy foods will help to clear your teeth of sticky food particles. In addition, they stimulate your saliva production and can wash away those errant bits of food as you swallow.

Not only will your doctor be happy if you choose to eat an apple a day, but your dentist will also be pleased!

Choose Water

Swap out soft drinks in favor of water to keep hydrated throughout the day. Beverages such as juice or cola can cause bad breath, stain your teeth, and encourage plaque buildup.

You don’t need to give up your favorite beverages altogether. But, when you can’t brush after enjoying them, water is best.

Wrap-Up

Paying closer attention to your oral care routine at home eliminates the most common cause of bad breath for most people. However, if you’ve tried these tips and the problem persists, you must see your dentist. She will help you rule out underlying health conditions.

On a final note, remember to keep your bi-annual dental appointments. Regular cleanings will help in the fight in the battle against bad breath and also aid in early detection of looming problems.

Setup an appointment today by calling our office or filling out an appointment form here. If you haven’t been to our Humble Tx dentist office before, be sure to take advantage of our “New Patient Special” coupon! We look forward to meeting you.

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Meet Dr. Gregory

Dr. Holly J. Gregory practices a full scope of periodontics with expertise ranging from dental implants to laser periodontal treatments, gum grafting, and Dr. Gregory can correct a wide variety of periodontal (gum) disease.
Our office is located at 19502 McKay Blvd., Suite 202, Humble, TX 77338. Call us today at (281) 446-9157.

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