Solutions For Managing Bad Breath

Bad breath is something just about everyone will encounter at least once throughout their lives. For the most part, bad breath is a harmless and temporary occurrence, such as consuming a little too much garlic in a meal. However, no one ever wishes to deal with bad breath, either temporarily or chronically, since it always seems to strike at the most unfortunate moments, such as before a job interview or before a date. Bad breath can leave a bad impression on others and ensures no one wants to get close. Additionally, sometimes bad breath can be a serious medical issue, though this is rare.

Brush Teeth Twice Daily

Perhaps the simplest solution for getting rid of bad breath is also the one most often overlooked. In many cases, all individuals need to do is make a point to thoroughly brush their teeth and tongue twice a day (for approximately two minutes each time). Typically, individuals should brush their teeth once in the morning after eating breakfast and before they head out the door and once in the evening before going to sleep for the night. It's important to brush each section of the mouth equally and to maintaining adequate pressure. Of course, the pressure must not be too hard, or individuals run the risk of irritating their gums and causing them to bleed.

Floss Teeth Daily

To both eliminate and prevent bad breath, individuals must use several methods to keep their mouth clean. In addition to brushing their teeth twice a day, individuals must make sure to use dental floss. Experts suggest individuals floss their teeth daily, but if they have food stuck between their teeth, it is okay to clean their teeth with dental floss a little more frequently. If individuals have teeth that are close together or if they consume pungent foods, flossing multiple times a day is a great way to manage bad breath. Individuals can find small boxes of dental floss, but there are also plastic dental picks with tiny sections of dental floss that make it easier to floss for many individuals.

Try Alcohol-Free Mouthwash

Dry mouth and bad breath are prevalent issues that often go hand in hand. One of the common triggers of dry mouth is, surprisingly, mouthwash. Mouthwash is typically used to treat dry mouth, but at the same time, it can often be an underlying cause of recurring dry mouth. This is most often because many types of mouthwash contain alcohol in them, which can worsen dry mouth. Thus, individuals who use mouthwash and who experience issues like dry mouth and bad breath should always grab a mouthwash without any alcohol in it. There are many options for this, so selection shouldn't be scarce. It is important to note alcohol-free mouthwash is not less effective, as the manufacturers make it a point to compensate accordingly. Ultimately, it is always good to opt for alcohol-free mouthwash to avoid unpleasant effects.

Make Regular Dental Visits

Once again, oral hygiene is at the top of the list when it comes to effectively getting rid of bad breath. Individuals should visit their dentist on a regular basis to have their teeth and gums cleaned and screened to ensure they do not have any health issues like cavities, gingivitis, or gum disease. This is also a good time to mention issues like persistent bad breath and nip issues like it in the bud. Regular visits to the dentist are particularly important for individuals who wear braces or dentures, as both pose an increased risk for issues like bad breath for reasons such as an increased occurrence of food particles being trapped in them. typically, individuals should visit their dentist once a year, but in cases where they have been suffering from an issue like chronic bad breath, they may wish to visit their dentist twice a year.

Keep Sugar-Free Snack Options On Hand

Sometimes it's not possible to implement a solution for bad breath that will get rid of it for good. This may because of timing or simply because an individual is incredibly busy. When things like this happen, it can be incredibly helpful for individuals to chew some sugar-free gum or eat a sugar-free breath mint. While neither one will cure bad breath permanently, they can mask the unpleasant odor temporarily, allowing the affected individual to go about their business without having to worry about their breath. Essentially, chewing some sugar-free gum can help individuals delay needing to deal with their bad breath until they have the time to really find and try a permanent solution.

Use The Appropriate

While all kinds of toothpaste will help clean an individual's teeth, not all of them are the same when it comes to correcting issues such as bad breath. Thus, individuals dealing with bad breath may want to try a new kind of toothpaste if they continually suffer from the issue, even after trying to brush their teeth twice a day and flossing once. Specifically, individuals should look for a toothpaste with baking soda in it, as baking soda is particularly helpful for neutralizing the unpleasant odor of bad breath. Should an individual's bad breath continue, they can speak with a doctor or dentist about a prescription toothpaste to better combat the issue.

Drink Lots Of Water

If individuals have a dry mouth, such as due to dehydration, they are more likely to have bad breath. If individuals drink lots of water, then the saliva, bacteria and food debris is rinsed from their mouth, helping keep their breath fresh. Keeping one's mouth hydrated is especially important when dealing with dry mouth. If patients tend to have a problem with dehydration, they should begin carrying bottles of water with them in their vehicle or backpack so they can sip the water gradually throughout the day. Researchers believe everyone should drink eight glasses of water each day, so individuals should make sure to fill eight water bottles to have ready from morning until night.

Make Dietary Adjustments

Certain foods and beverages can cause bad breath, so individuals should make dietary adjustments to avoid these items. Some of the most pungent foods include garlic, onions, and horseradish, but dairy products, seafood, and some meat can also cause bad breath. If individuals are in certain social situations, including applying for a job or going on a date, then avoiding pungent foods is especially important. If individuals want to enjoy pungent food, they may wish to make sure to consume the food at home so they don't embarrass themselves and can easily brush and flow their teeth to get rid of any debris and freshen their breath immediately. If they have to consume pungent food when they are out and about, they should always keep breath mints of gum around so they can eat them after a meal.

Clean Dentures And Other Dental Appliances

Many individuals may wear a dental appliance or dentures to have a beautiful smile. To prevent bad breath, they should clean their dentures and other dental appliances according to their dentist’s recommendations. For dentures, patients should use the special cleanser their dentist suggests for keeping the false teeth and plastic supports sanitized. If patients have a dental bridge or dental implants, they should use the proper toothpaste and interdental brushes required to remove food debris and plaque from the items. Another great way to keep breath fresher when wearing dental appliances is to use an oral irrigator that blasts strong streams of water into the mouth to remove bacteria and other substances.

Treat Underlying Conditions

There are several health problems that can cause bad breath, including having infected tonsils, a runny nose, or acid reflux. The good news is individuals can treat these underlying conditions to overcome the problems associated with bad breath. A physician can provide medication to eliminate an infection in the throat, or alternatively, patients can have their tonsils removed. When individuals have a runny nose, the mucus can drip into their throat, causing bad breath. However, patients can visit an allergist to overcome this problem. For acid reflux disease, patients can avoid foods that cause the release of excess digestive acids or they can take medication that reduces the release of acids.