Many people out there are struggling with bad breath. This can cause many insecurities and difficulties especially if you need to communicate with other people at all times. The busy everyday life and bad habits are just a small part of the factors that can lead to an unpleasant breath. Poor oral hygiene, alcohol, smoking, decayed teeth, respiratory problems are the possible causes of this condition. But what can you do to fight the bad breath? Here are some tips that will help you have a fresh breath at any time of the day.
Brush and floss properly
This might sound like a cliché to many of you. The thing is that there are a lot of people that skip brushing twice a day. Others, on the other hand do not know how to brush properly. All of this affects your breath. If you do not brush the food particles left in your mouth will just add to the problem. Also the plaque that collects on the surfaces of the teeth contains bacteria that are one more cause of the unpleasant problem. This is why brushing twice a day and flossing once are very important. Other things that can help are the mouth washes and tongue cleaners.
Regular visits to the dentist
Caries and gum disease cause bad breath. Bad breath is an early sign of gum disease. Regular visits to the dental office are a must in keeping your oral health. Also the dentist will be able to find the proper reason behind your bad breath problem and give you advice on how to handle it. It is recommended that you schedule regular checkups at least twice a year.
Drink a lot of water
Water can do wonders for your body, including your mouth. Having a dry mouth can increase the chances of caries and many other diseases in the oral cavity. The dry mouth creates a perfect environment for bacteria to grow and people that have a dry mouth often have a bad breath also. A lot of people experience unpleasant breath in the morning because of the lower levels of saliva during the night. That is why it is important always to stay hydrated. Many patients have more serious problems with dry mouth that is caused by other diseases or medication. Those patients might need artificial saliva and of course need to be supervised by a dental professional. Chewing sugar-free gums also stimulates saliva flow.
Quit smoking
This bad habit can cause many problems and diseases, especially in the oral cavity. Not only that smoking can cause oral cancer, the nicotine also dries your mouth and lets bacteria grow. This disrupts the normal functions of the oral cavity and leads to an unpleasant breath. Smoking is not healthy, so try to quit if you can.
Eat properly
Eating healthy is a big deal for having a fresh breath. Food that is rich with protein and vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, celery and more are very important in keeping the bad breath away. They help in balancing your diet. Also, fruits such as apples and other crunchy fruits help the oral cavity because they act like a natural toothbrush. So it turns out that vegetables and fruits are not only healthy for your body, but also for your teeth.
Onions, garlic, food that contains a lot of sugar should be avoided.
Avoid coffee
Try to drink natural, green juices instead of coffee. Coffee creates an environment with high levels of acid, perfect for bacteria. On the other hand, green juices provide a neutral environment in your oral cavity and are healthy at the same time.
Chewing gums with no sugar
Chewing gums that don’t contain sugar are perfect for improving your unpleasant breath. These gums help by increasing the saliva flow, remove bacteria and some of the teeth stains. The gums should not have any added sugars, because sugar creates an acidic environment that is perfect for bacterial growth.
Sinusitis
Many people that are suffering from sinusitis are also fighting bad breath. The infection of the sinuses should be treated by a professional. Other respiratory infections can also have a role in unpleasant breath, since they might cause nasal secretion that comes into the mouth. Tonsillitis is also commonly associated with this problem.
Treat systemic diseases
People that are suffering from diseases such as diabetes, metabolic disorders, cancer, kidney problems, liver diseases can have bad breath. The medications that they take can cause dry mouth that leads to unpleasant breath. Patients with this type of diseases should consult a professional.
The two most important things in having a fresh breath are to have a good oral hygiene and to visit the dentist regularly. If you are brushing and flossing properly, but you still have problems, then you should definitely visit a professional.