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No one wants bad breath, but everyone gets it—or at least worries about
it—at one time or another. Here are some things you can do to keep bad
breath to a minimum:
-
Eliminate the bacteria and food particles that can cause bad breath. Floss,
then brush your teeth, gums and tongue after each meal. Make this easier
by keeping floss, toothpaste and a toothbrush in your desk, your purse
and your car.
-
If you can't brush and floss, rinse your mouth with water after eating
to dislodge food and moisten your mouth.
- Have your teeth cleaned and examined by a dental professional twice a year.
-
If you are certain you have bad breath, seek out a Houston dentist who
offers specialized treatment in that area.
-
Learn the proper way to brush and practice what you learn.
-
Drink lots of liquids, preferably water, to keep your mouth moist.
- If your mouth feels dry, chew sugarless gum to stimulate production of
saliva.
-
You can also chew on raw parsley—it's a natural breath freshener.
- Baking soda is an effective odor eliminator; if you can handle the taste,
try brushing with a mixture of baking soda and water. Or try a toothpaste
that contains baking soda.
- Try rinsing your mouth for one minute with a 50-50 mixture of hydrogen
peroxide and warm water to kill odor-causing bacteria.
- Avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol; read the label! Instead, try a
mouthwash that contains chlorine dioxide. This compound doesn't just mask
odor, it actually eliminates it at the source by attacking the odor-causing
volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs).
- Snack on raw vegetables such as carrots, celery and red peppers. This stimulates
production of saliva, and some Houston dentists believe it can help to
remove plaque from your teeth.
- To avoid stress-related dry mouth, practice "conscious relaxation"
in stressful situations: breathe deeply, visualize peaceful settings, recognize
parts of your body that feel tense and consciously relax them. If you can't
get past the stress, chew sugarless gum or mints to keep the salivary glands
going.
- Use an oral irrigation device such as a Waterpik to remove particles of
food wedged between your teeth; portable models are available.
- If you wear dentures or a retainer, clean them frequently, and periodically
soak them in an antiseptic solution.
Bad breath that's resistant to these remedies, or that continues for an
extended period of time, should be evaluated by our Houston dentist.
You don't have to live with bad breath. Recognize it, treat it, then kiss
it goodbye!
You may also be interested in:
Toothbrush Abrasion
Grinding Your Teeth (Bruxism)
Gum Disease and Heart Attacks: Is There a Connection?
Think smokeless tobacco is safer than cigarettes? Think
again
Sleep
Apnea—It's More Than Just Snoring
Brushing
Your Teeth
The
Proper Flossing Technique
Importance
of Regular Exams
Plaque
Disclosing Tablets
Fluoride
Homecare
for periodontal disease
Dental
superfloss
Preventive
dental sealants
Nutrition
and Your Health
Dental
Ultrasonic Scaling
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