We have all had moments where we have wondered if our breath is fresh enough. Alternatively most of us have also been near those that make us want to take a few quick steps backwards away from them.
Halitosis or bad breath has affected every human being at one time or another. While you can’t do anything about theirs, knowing the secret to fresh breath you can avoid having bad breath yourself.
True chronic bad breath generally has one cause which is bacteria. When you eat, food can remain behind. Bacteria thrive, especially without proper routine dental care and these bacteria can cause infection. Sometimes such as in the case of early gum disease you cannot see the infection and bacterial waste without a microscope but it is there.
You might especially notice bad breath after sleeping all night because the bacteria have been growing and multiplying while you sleep contributing to that dreaded “morning breath” we tend to joke about. But it’s really no joke because as the bacteria grow, besides making your breath smell bad they eat away at tooth enamel causing cavities and decay plus cause a gum disease called gingivitis.
Gingivitis makes your gums eventually swell, hurt and bleed which then allows teeth to become loose in the gum, which in turn causes even worse breath.
So the big secret to fresh breath really is just taking proper care of your teeth. Proper care includes the following;
- Brush your teeth regularly But don’t just spread germs around your mouth. Start with the brush against the upper part of the tooth and gum on the top teeth. Gently brush in a gentle circular motion before brushing down against the length of the tooth. Repeat the process until all upper teeth are brushed. Now do the bottom teeth in the same way only brushing up. Brush the occlusial (top chewing) surfaces of the teeth as well.
- Scrape your tongue as well. Using your toothbrush or a tongue scraper. Gently start at the base of the top of the tongue and scrape with a light pressure down and out. This removes even more food and bacteria but is often a step that is overlooked when cleaning your mouth.
- Several tools on the market claim to help users eliminate halitosis and achieve a healthier, cleaner smile but only mask underlying issues without actually correcting them. One tool that is actually very beneficial to its users is the HYDRO FLOSS Oral Irrigator. Incorporating the HYDRO FLOSS consistently into your daily oral care regimen can help reduce odor-causing bacteria.
- The use of Perio Protect trays is another method of managing and working towards the elimination of halitosis is through. Through the Perio Protect Method, patients use a solution prescribed by their dentist in combination with a custom made tray to ensure long-term maintenance of oral care.
- Make use of mouthwash. Rinsing the mouth also helps get rid of bacteria. There are many commercially prepared mouthwashes that help but many only cover up the breath, that is, coat the bacteria in mouthwash. However, there are some rinses that are better than others. We highly recommend using CloSYS Alcohol-Free Oral Rinse. This alcohol-free rinse kills up to 99.9% of harmful bacteria in a matter of seconds. This rinse is even more effective when paired with CloSYS Anticavity Fluouride Toothpaste. The combination of these two products not only helps neutralize odors, but also helps prevent cavities and plaque buildup.
- Floss every day in between the teeth. Odor causing bacteria love to hide in the crevices between your teeth. Be sure to floss as well when you brush your teeth. Floss also comes in flavors so you can add an extra freshening component to your flossing routine.
- Remember to stay hydrated. A properly hydrated mouth and body are more effective in fighting bacterial infections and decay, plus drinking water helps wash tiny crumbs of food from the mouth.
- Don’t forget to change your toothbrush every three months and avoid foods that cause bad breath, such as garlic or brush immediately after eating it.
Bad breath happens to everyone occasionally but by being diligent in care of your mouth you can avoid it lingering.