Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential for preventing bad breath. Bacteria in the mouth cause bad breath. Practicing good oral hygiene removes bacteria and decreases the likelihood of bad breath. Here is how!
Brush Your Teeth Twice Daily
It is important to brush your teeth at least twice daily. A soft-bristled toothbrush is best for cleaning teeth and removing plaque and debris. The bristles should be long enough to reach beneath the gum line to clean out food particles and bacteria. Choose a brush with a small head that can easily reach all areas of the mouth. Replace your toothbrush every three to four months or sooner if the bristles become frayed with use. Each time you brush your teeth, do it for at least two minutes at a 45-degree angle to the gums. Be sure to brush thoroughly along the gum line, where the teeth and gums meet. Also, brush the insides of the back teeth and the outsides of the upper molars. Try to avoid brushing too much on the chewing surfaces of your teeth since this type of aggressive brushing can wear away tooth enamel. Finally, don’t forget to brush your tongue! This helps to eliminate any bacteria that can cause bad breath. To clean your tongue, use a tongue scraper or a toothbrush with soft bristles.
Floss at Least Once a Day
By flossing daily you can remove plaque from between teeth where toothbrushes cannot reach. Plaque buildup can lead to gum disease and tooth decay. Flossing also helps to prevent bad breath because it removes food particles between the teeth.
Brush Your Tongue
A tongue scraper is a device used for removing thick layers of bacteria and odor-causing food debris from the tongue surface. Bacteria build up on the tongue and, if not removed, will start releasing foul odors as well as unpleasant tastes in the mouth. Furthermore, the bacteria may move on to the gums and cause infection there. Using a tongue cleaner regularly will help remove the bacteria that cause bad breath.
Avoid Dry Mouth
When you have bad breath, it’s often related to having a dry mouth. That’s because when your salivary glands aren’t producing enough saliva to clean your teeth and flush away food particles and bacteria from your mouth, this can cause an unpleasant odor to develop. Bacteria will build up in your mouth and cause your breath to smell bad.
To avoid a dry mouth, try drinking more water throughout the day. You should also try to avoid foods and drinks that dry out the mouth, like soda, coffee, sugary candies, alcohol, etc. If you have a dry mouth because you are on certain medications, be sure to talk to your doctor to see if there are alternative treatments available.
Regularly Get a New Toothbrush
A manual toothbrush should be replaced about every 3-4 months to prevent bacteria buildup. Disposable toothbrushes should be thrown out after about 2 weeks. Using an old toothbrush will only cause more bacteria and plaque to build up in your mouth and lead to bad breath and tooth decay. Make sure to rinse your brush thoroughly each time you use it to remove any excess toothpaste and toothpaste debris. Then store the toothbrush in an upright position so that it can air dry and stay sanitary for your next use.
Schedule Regular Dental
Visiting your dentist regularly is very important and will help keep your oral health in check. Not only can you get a cleaning and a checkup, but your dentist will also be able to catch any problems before they become serious. If you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, schedule a visit as soon as possible to keep your mouth happy and healthy.
Do you have questions about your oral health or dental care in general? Visit Newport Smiles Dental Spa at 570 W 19th St, Costa Mesa, CA 92627, or call (949) 642-1033.
