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Bad breath can be caused by poor oral hygiene habits. These habits include not brushing and flossing your teeth regularly, not visiting the dentist often enough, and not replacing your toothbrush often enough. Bad breath can also be caused by poor overall health. This includes diabetes, acid reflux, dry mouth, and drug use.

Brush Your Teeth Twice Daily

While brushing your teeth twice a day is a good first step to improving your oral health, it won’t get rid of bad breath on its own. Good oral hygiene habits, including brushing and flossing, reduce the risk of developing tooth decay and cavities. Cavities can cause bad breath, which is why it’s important to brush regularly.

Dentists recommend replacing your toothbrush every three to four months. That’s because the bristles wear down over time, making them less effective at cleaning teeth and removing plaque. Plus, bacteria can build up in the bristles and become transferred to the mouth each time you brush your teeth.

Floss at Least Once a Day

Brushing your teeth is essential for removing plaque and food debris from the surface of your teeth. But brushing alone isn’t enough to remove all of the bacteria that build up between teeth. This is why it’s essential to floss at least once a day. Regular flossing will keep your gums clean and healthy in addition to reducing the risk of gum disease and tooth decay.

Brush Your Tongue

Plaque harbors bacteria and causes bad breath. Brushing your tongue regularly can help eliminate bad mouth odor. To brush your tongue, use a tongue scraper or a toothbrush with a soft head. Start at the back of your tongue and move your forward in a sawing motion. Rinse your toothbrush or scraper and repeat until your entire tongue is clean. You can also use mouthwash after brushing to ensure that any bacteria present is eliminated.

Clean Dentures or Dental Appliances

It is very important to keep all removable dental devices clean. This begins with brushing them daily with a soft-bristled brush and denture cleaner. Regular cleanings should take place every three to four months and should include a thorough inspection by the dental hygienist. If recommended by the manufacturer, you should soak your dentures overnight in a cleaning solution or water mixed with a specific amount of vinegar. This will prevent them from becoming stained and help kill bacteria. Rinsing and drying thoroughly after removing them is also important - many bacteria thrive in an acidic environment, so keeping them clean and neutral will greatly help the overall health of your mouth. Call your dentist immediately if your dentures break or become loose. Never try to fix them yourself! It is best to let a professional handle this for you.

Avoid Dry Mouth

You’ll want to make sure you drink plenty of water to avoid getting a dry mouth. Drinking water will stimulate your mouth to produce saliva, which ensures your oral tissues are receiving enough moisture to stay lubricated and healthy. Without enough water in your diet, you’ll also suffer from chronic bad breath as the bacteria in your mouth feed on food particles and dead cells from your gums and tongue. The goal is to drink at least eight glasses a day. If you’re more physically active or have a medical condition that requires you to drink more water, speak to your doctor about increasing your water intake. Many cases of dry mouth can also stem from certain medications, so always check with your physician if you’re concerned about dryness caused by medication.

Adjust Your Diet

In addition to brushing and flossing daily, you should make sure you’re also adjusting your diet to help get rid of bad breath. Foods that are high in sugar and acid content increase bacteria in the mouth, which can contribute to bad breath. Try avoiding foods like candy, cookies, soda, coffee, and alcohol. Instead, eat a diet high in fiber, low in sugar, and low in carbohydrates. Also, be sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and fight a dry mouth.

Visit Gulf Coast Dental at 1751 W 9 Mile Rd. Pensacola, FL 32534, or call (850) 944-5515 to learn more about oral health.