Bad breath can be very embarrassing. And you may find you are shy to speak to people. Usually the solution is to brush your teeth after eating. However, for some people, simply brushing isn’t enough.

Article Outline

• If you suffer from bad breath regularly, try out some of these techniques
• Breath-freshening Products
• Try to add more of these to your diet

If you suffer from bad breath regularly, try out some of these techniques:

• Floss: If we forget to floss, food particles can get stuck in our teeth and gums. Over time, these food particles can smell. This can seriously damage our breath and cause and bad breath. It is important to floss once per day to keep these surfaces food free.
• Clean your oral device: Whether you wear dentures, a retainer, or a TMJ device, you should clean it regularly. Not only does a dirty device make your breath smell, but it creates a huge amount of bacteria as well. Keep your devices clean to keep your mouth clean!
• Replace your toothbrush: After two or three months, it’s time to replace your toothbrush. When the bristles start to show wear, your toothbrush doesn’t clean your mouth as well as it should. If you want to keep your breath fresh, make sure your brush is fresh.
• Avoid dry mouth: Beyond being uncomfortable, dry mouth can also make our breath smell worse. Some medications may cause this problem. Make sure to drink enough water throughout the day and chew xylitol gum after meals for extra saliva production.
• Quit smoking: Not only is smoking very bad for your health it is also terrible for your teeth. Not only does it stain your teeth, but it makes your breath smell foul. It’s always a good time to quit smoking!

Breath-freshening Products:

• Tongue Scraper: Although you can brush your tongue with your toothbrush, it’s more efficient (and sanitary) to brush your tongue with a tongue scraper. Your tongue collects a lot of bacteria, especially in the back, which can affect the smell of your breath.
• Water pick: For those of you who hate flossing but recognize its importance, you could try using a water pick. Water picks eliminate 99% of plaque biofilm and significantly reduce your risk of gingivitis.
• Mouthwash: Mouth rinses kill bacteria and keep your breath smelling fresh and clean. Try fluoride rinses for extra protection.

Breath-freshening Foods:
Besides the obvious culprits, onions and garlic, did you know that coffee can also make your breath smell?

Try to add more of these to your diet:

• Water: promotes saliva production and washes bacteria away.
• Parsley: contains chlorophyll which can remove odors from your mouth.
• Probiotic yogurt: contains good bacteria that balances out bad bacteria.

If bad breath persists, please speak with your doctor/dentist. Bad breath may also stem from other health-related issues, like sinuses.