There’s nothing more embarrassing than someone handing you a stick of gum or a breath mint and saying, “Here, you need this!” While some people may not be so blatant when addressing your bad breath, the last thing you want is for someone to avoid you because of the smell coming from your mouth when you speak. If you’re looking for ways to eliminate your bad breath, let a dentist in Dublin share how you can take back your oral health.
The Cause for Embarrassment: Bad Breath
Also known as halitosis, this oral hygiene issue is one nobody wants but many people have. Bad breath is embarrassing and can deal a great blow to your self-esteem. While breath mints and gum can mask the smell temporarily, they’re usually not going to eliminate the problem for good. So, what causes this nasty problem?
When bad oral habits become the normalcy, bacteria is allowed to grow and build around the gum line and on the tongue. If not properly cleaned, the plaque buildup can lead to gum disease, cavities, and halitosis. Of course, it doesn’t help if you eat strong, odorous foods such as garlic or onions, or drink alcoholic beverages.
Stomp Out the Stink: Ways to Eliminate Bad Breath
Bad breath doesn’t have to be a permanent fixture. If you’ve decided enough is enough, and you want a mouth that is healthy again, you’ll need to make a few changes in your daily oral hygiene routine:
- Brush and floss. This doesn’t mean brush in the morning and floss once a week. If you want to say bye-bye to bacteria, you’ll need to commit to brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time. Then, you’ll need to floss at least once a day to remove any build up or food that exists between your teeth.
- Drink water. Making sure your mouth produces enough saliva is a vital part of maintaining good oral health. Saliva helps to wash away food particles that are left over from that delicious dinner. Without saliva, you can experience dry mouth, and bacteria will begin to grow. Drinking water will not only keep you hydrated, but it will keep your mouth moistened and producing adequate amounts of saliva.
- Clean your tongue. Brushing and flossing your teeth aren’t the only steps you need to take to ensure bad breath stays away. Your tongue can carry just as much bacteria, so make sure to use a toothbrush or tongue scraper to clean it.
- Mind your diet. Oftentimes, the food you eat can cause bad breath. Yes, we know garlic and onions will keep everyone away, but eating foods that are high in protein and low in carbs can actually create a bad odor in your mouth. A lack of carbs can cause your body to burn fat instead of sugar and lead to bad breath. So, while you don’t want to eat too many carbohydrates because of your overall health, it’s good to incorporate some into your diet.
- Attend regularly scheduled dental appointments. Visiting your dentist office every six months is a great way to make sure your oral health is in good shape. If any problems or issues arise, you and your dentist can take the appropriate steps to address it in its early stages.
Stop hiding behind your hands or constantly popping breath mints. Take back your oral health by committing to these useful tips for eliminating bad breath.
About the Author
Dr. Eric Buck earned a Bachelor of Arts in zoology from Miami University before going on to pursue a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. Offering the best dentistry, Dr. Buck and his team of professionals have the knowledge and expertise to give you the smile you want. To learn more, contact us via the website or by calling (614) 792-1800.