Bad breath is just a bummer no matter where and how it occurs. However, if you are one of those people who suffers from chronic, hard-to-treat bad breath, then you really know how disruptive odorous breath can be.
As is true with most dental issues, the key to effectively treating bad breath is to first identify the underlying cause of the problem. Now, it’s normal to notice temporary bad breath whenever you eat something heavily seasoned or loaded with garlic and onions. On the other hand, if you feel like you’re always battling bad breath, you may have to make some changes to your oral health plan in order to get control.
Remember that the root cause of bad breath is actually a buildup of oral bacteria. So, some of the best things that you can do involve making it more difficult for oral bacteria to thrive:
Take a look at your schedule
Are you sipping or snacking throughout the day? If so, this may be making it more difficult for you to conquer bad breath. Oral bacteria stay active and feeding on sugars and carbohydrates for about 20 to 30 minutes after you finish eating or drinking. With that in mind, it makes more sense to snack and sip at specific, time-limited period of the day, rather than continuously.
Prioritize H20
Without a doubt, water is the most beneficial drink for your smile. When you are properly hydrated, your body is able to produce plenty of saliva, which helps to re-mineralize and strengthen bacteria. Make sure that you are drinking enough water day to day; some of our patients find it helpful to fill a big water bottle and keep it handy all day long.
Rinse it out
Perhaps the easiest way to refresh your smile is to rinse your mouth after meals and snacks. Talk to your dentist about whether you should use a specially-formulated rinse, or plain old water: both are effective at clearing away bacteria and dental debris.
To get started with some personal oral health recommendations, please give our Tinley Park dentists a call, or use the Contact Us page on our site to submit your question.