As we all know, the mouth is a place where millions of different bacteria roam; some of them are good for our dental health, but others not so much. Almost half of the bacteria present in your mouth can cause you to have a bad breath day! Just as May 12th marks the Gum Care Day, August 6th of every year marks the National Fresh Breath Day and is held to create awareness worldwide so that people would pay attention to their oral hygiene. It is a daily battle that we all need to take part in and fight against the bacteria that causes our mouths to stink and ruin our fresh, healthy smiles!
Halitosis – Bad Breath
Bad breath in dental terms is referred to by the word halitosis and has numerous causes. These reasons aren’t just food containing garlic and onion that you love, but also eating spicy food, gum disease, dry mouth, and especially tobacco use are the leading causes of why your breath is no longer fresh. These are only a few reasons that could cause halitosis and are the biggest contributors to the bad breath coming out of people’s mouths. You could also have bad breath issues due to underlying medical conditions, such as ulcers or medication side effects. Don’t worry; this might sound bad, but to keep the activity and presence low of bacteria in your mouth, daily brushing and flossing are more than enough, and keep your breath fresh and pleasant. The people who wear bracers should pay extra attention to their brushing and try to brush and floss their teeth daily because bracers tend to harbor oral residue and small food particles. In case you are out somewhere and can’t clean out your mouth after consuming food, you can chew on some sugar-free mints or sugarless gum. They significantly boost the natural bacteria-fighting resources in your mouth, which helps clean away bacteria and tiny food particles stuck in your teeth and gums. Now that you know the importance of brushing and flossing daily, let’s discuss the ways you can keep your breath fresh 24/7!
Maintain A Fresh Breath 24/7
- Brush two times in a single day and floss regularly to get rid of bacterial plaque. Change your toothbrush every 4 months.
- Buy a toothpaste that helps your fight against oral bacteria on your teeth, tongue, gums, and cheeks.
- Keep regular dental checkups and cleanings to get rid of bacteria buildup under the line of your gums and tartar that cannot be easily removed with dental floss or toothbrush alone.
- Ensure to clean the dental appliances daily; this includes cleaning retainers, dentures, and mouth guards to remove plaque.
- Use an antibacterial mouthwash to rinse to kill bad bacteria.
- Since bad breath is mainly caused by sugar, only use sugar-free gum, and don’t overdo your intake of sweetened things.
- Always tuck some breath mints in your pockets or bags when you are on the go.
- Try to avoid a dry mouth and clean out the mouth by drinking a lot of water and other healthy drinks throughout your day.
- Eat raw, crunchy vegetables and fruits like apples, carrots, or celery that scrape away bacteria that cause bad breath.
- STOP smoking!
- Use vitamin C supplements since a deficiency of this vitamin can cause bad breath.
People who struggle with getting rid of their bad breath should add a tongue scrapper and flossing to their daily brushing routine so that they can remove bacterial plaque effectively from their mouth. Usually, you will see a yellowish coating on your teeth when you wake up in the morning; removing this coating and scrapping it off can do wonders for the health of your teeth, keep them white, and help with your breath issues. Gulping down a lot of water isn’t just healthy and good for your overall body and waistline, but staying hydrated throughout the day significantly promotes saliva production. Our saliva is basically our mouth’s line of defense, which fights against oral bacteria harmful to our mouth and leads to halitosis.
On the other hand, alcohol consumption dries out your mouth and limits your saliva production. Keeping your alcohol drinking to a minimum is definitely a good idea. Parsley has antifungal and antibacterial properties present in it that significantly help your breath smell more fresh and clean. Mint, basil, or cilantro also neutralizes odors through their chlorophyll. You can also consume more plain yogurt as it helps in fighting against oral bacteria and chewing gum that is sugar-free with Xylitol to keep that saliva flowing.
Be A Part of the Nation Fresh Breath Day!
Use this fun event to check in on your breath and see if it’s clean and fresh as it should be or if you just smelled something unpleasant that needs immediate attention! If you discover that you have bad breath or need periodontal therapy, it is most certainly time to schedule an appointment and visit your dental clinic to get yourself a dental inspection and cleaning. Whatever problem is causing your bad breath can quickly be contained and treated this way before it grows into something problematic. Getting yourself the dental treatment required to heal the causes of bad breath will ensure that your mouth stays fresh, healthy, and more pleasant for yourself and others around you!