Getting pulled over for speeding. Spilling your coffee all over your white shirt. Stubbing your toe in the dark while shuffling to the bathroom in the middle of the night.
These struggles are each preventable. And so is giving someone a hug when you have bad breath. You don’t have to give up the hug – ditch the bad breath instead!
Your dentist in St. Albans has tips that can help you keep the causes of bad breath in check. Keep reading to find out what you can do.
Brush Your Teeth Twice Daily
Brush for two minutes when you wake up and then again before you go to sleep to remove plaque and food debris. Using baking soda instead of toothpaste once per day is a good idea because its alkalinity neutralizes the mouth’s acidic bacteria, but you should speak with your dentist before changing up your routine.
Floss Daily
Flossing supplements brushing your teeth by removing food debris from in between them. If you skip flossing after a meal, it allows bacteria to begin feeding on what brushing left behind.
Visit Your Dentist to Battle Bad Breath
Be sure to schedule an exam and cleaning with your St. Albans dentist twice each year. They can make sure you don’t have any dental problems that would cause bad breath, plus a dentist can provide a more thorough cleaning than you are capable of.
Avoid Using Tobacco
Tobacco use of any kind contributes to bad breath, but smoking is the most problematic in that regard. Tobacco can dry out your mouth. Even brushing your teeth may not cover up the smell.
Rinse with Mouthwash
You can always use conventional mouthwash, but another option is to rinse with black or green tea. A study proved that rinsing your mouth with these beverages suppresses the growth of odor-causing bacteria.
Scrape Your Tongue
You can use a tongue scraper to remove residue that accumulates between the folds in the tongue and the taste buds. Brushing your tongue with a toothbrush can also be effective.
Snack on Celery, Carrots, or Apples
Eating crispy fruits and vegetables increases your saliva flow, which is a significant factor in keeping bad breath under control. If you wait too long to eat, an empty stomach can cause bad breath due to the buildup of stomach acid.
Chew Sugarless Gum
Sugarless gum is another great way to stimulate saliva flow. The saliva helps remove food debris and odor-causing bacteria.
Drink Plenty of Water
Try to drink at least 48 ounces of water each day to avoid dry mouth. Water helps fight odor by washing away food particles and bacteria.
Keeping bad breath under wraps will require diligence each day, but by following these steps you’ll be able to greet people you meet with fresh breath. After all, you never get a second chance to make a first impression!
About the Practice
At St. Albans Dental, our team can take care of a wide array of treatments at our office location. We know patients value a comfortable atmosphere, plus we always want you to ask any questions you might have along the way. Your smile and satisfaction are always our top priorities. We’ll do our part to help you defeat bad breath, including a dental cleaning and exam, which you can schedule on our website or by calling (802) 524-4844.