Having bad breath can hinder your self-esteem and confidence. If you suffer from bad breath, which is also called halitosis, there are several things you can do at home to reduce or eliminate it.
Brush & Floss
To help ward off bad breath, make sure that you brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day. If you are lazy with your oral hygiene, food particles can linger in your mouth, thus causing bad breath. Correct brushing and flossing can also cut down on plaque and bacteria, which can also cause bad breath.
Hydrate
Drinking water is a simple way to reduce or eliminate bad breath. Saliva helps clean the mouth, so when there isn’t enough moisture to produce saliva, odor-causing bacteria can form. In addition to not drinking enough water, some medications and medical conditions can cause dry mouth.
Clean Your Tongue
Cleaning your tongue is a great way to decrease or eliminate bad breath. Bacteria, plaque, and other compounds can gather and form on your tongue, releasing an unpleasant scent. Brush your tongue from back to front to remove these halitosis culprits. A tongue scraper can also effectively clean your tongue.
Eat Healthy
You have likely heard that foods like raw garlic and onion can cause bad breath. But did you know that acidic foods like vinegar and high-fructose foods like sweet cereal can also cause bad breath? Avoid these types of foods for fresher breath. In addition, choose foods that increase your saliva flow, including:
– Dark green and orange vegetables
– Whole grains
– Proteins
– A variety of fruits
If these methods of ridding yourself of bad breath are not enough, schedule an appointment with our dentists in Amherst, New Hampshire, as there may be more going on. For more bad breath tips and to schedule your next appointment, call New Hampshire Center for Comprehensive Dentistry at 603-672-6546 today.