Besides not contracting COVID or various illnesses, what are the benefits of wearing face masks? Not having to wear makeup might come to mind for some, but certainly not having to deal with anyone’s bad breath would rank even higher on the list. You obviously don’t want to be the distributor of bad breath, and fortunately, your dentist in Tyler can help in that department. Read on to find out some causes of bad breath and how to get rid of it.
What Are Some Reasons You Get Bad Breath?
Bad breath can be a result of an underlying condition like periodontal disease, tonsillitis, dental abscess, gastroesophageal reflux disease, diabetes, or gingivitis. Oftentimes, it can stem from something less serious like eating certain foods (garlic, onions, spices), drinking strong-smelling beverages like coffee and alcohol, smoking, low-carb or crash diets, certain medications, or poor dental hygiene. That last one is actually a serious concern, but you get the idea.
What Are Some Ways I Can Ditch Bad Breath?
Here are some tips to combat bad breath, aka halitosis, which usually originates from the teeth and gums:
- Snack on Carrots, Celery, or an Apple: Eating crispy fruits and vegetables is another way to step up your saliva flow. Dry mouth is a major cause of bad breath, and foods like these will increase saliva production and wash away bad bacteria. Plus, the items themselves are rich in water content.
- Chew Sugarless Gum: Sugarless gum or sugarless candy can help stimulate saliva flow. The saliva helps remove food debris and bacteria.
- Stay Hydrated: Try to drink at least 48-64 ounces of water each day to avoid dry mouth. Water helps combat odor since it helps wash away food particles and bacteria.
- Avoid Tobacco Products: Smoking contributes to bad breath. Tobacco often dries out your mouth and even brushing your teeth might not remove the unpleasant smell.
- Brush Your Teeth Twice Daily: Brush your teeth for two minutes at least twice a day to remove plaque and food debris. It’s particularly important to brush your teeth before bedtime. Perhaps consider a daily round of brushing with baking soda.
- Floss Daily: Flossing removes food debris from in between teeth that a toothbrush can’t reach. Skipping flossing allows bacteria to begin feeding on what brushing left behind, which causes bad breath.
- Brush or Scrape Your Tongue: To remove residue that may be accumulating between the folds in the tongue and the taste buds, you can get an inexpensive tongue scraper. Cleaning your tongue with a toothbrush will also work.
- Rinse with Mouthwash: Beyond mouthwash you might buy at the drugstore, consider rinsing your mouth with black or green tea. According to a study by the University of Illinois at Chicago, rinsing your mouth with black or green tea suppresses the growth of odor-causing bacteria.
- Visit Your Dentist: Of course, the most important thing you can do to battle bad breath is to visit your dentist in Tyler regularly. They can make sure you don’t have any dental problems causing it. If your dentist believes the issue is caused by an internal source like an infection, they will help you take care of it.
Bad breath is always lurking around the corner if you give it the opportunity to pay a visit. But if you are diligent about these tips daily you can help ensure that it will be someone else’s unwanted guest to worry about.
About the Author
Dr. Javier Perez was raised by two doctors, and seeing the way his parents strived to help people inspired him to serve his community through dentistry. He earned his dental degree at the University of Medicine in Cuba and then attended dental school a second time, graduating from UCLA. A married father of one, Dr. Perez has served in the U.S. Army National Guard with a rank of Major since 2013. A dental cleaning and exam is a sensible step in your efforts to prevent bad breath. Visit his website to secure an appointment online or by phone.