3 Tips To Improve Bad Breath

Bad breath can be embarrassing, but thankfully you don’t need to suffer from it forever. Bad breath is often a result of bacteria in your mouth that gets a little out of hand. Managing this bacteria is usually one of the best ways to bring health back to your mouth as well as kick bad breath to the curb.

If you or someone you love struggles with bad breath, try these 3 easy tips and your breath should be back on its way to freshness!

1. Brush Your Mouth Thoroughly

Did you know that one of the main culprits for bad breath is your tongue?

Your tongue harbors lots of bacteria and these bacteria need to be brushed off or else it can lead to bad breath. You can brush your tongue with a tongue scraper but you could also just use your toothbrush. 

Another common place where bacteria is missed is right along the gum line. Plaque likes to sit on the ridge of your gum tissue right next to your teeth. Angling your toothbrush towards your gum line and gently brushing can easily remove this bacteria here. Be sure to use light pressure as brushing too hard on your gum tissue can lead to recession over time. Still not sure if you are brushing the right way? Ask your dental hygienist, they are happy to share some brushing tips and tidbits! 

2. Drink Water Often

Water is so healthy for many functions in your body but it is also important for the health of your mouth. 

Your salivary glands are working hard to keep things in your mouth moist and saliva is mostly made up of water. If you are dehydrated, your salivary glands will likely release less saliva. 

Saliva helps to lubricate your mouth’s tissue and it also helps to flush your teeth. When your teeth are dry they are more susceptible to developing cavities. Saliva also carries minerals that your teeth can uptake to help them stay strong. 

If saliva isn’t present to do all these wonderful tasks like flushing out bacteria and dead cells then it is likely that these cells will build up on the tongue, gums, and cheeks. Over time it is likely that this will lead to bad breath.

If you are drinking more water it is likely that you aren’t drinking as much juice, coffee, pop, or wine. Coffee and the sugar found in many drinks can also contribute to bad breath. Replacing many of these drinks with water will greatly benefit your mouth and body.

3.  Help Your Digestion, Help Your Breath

Studies show that your digestion is closely linked with your mouth and vice versa. When your digestion is working properly, your body is able to collect the nutrients it needs and deliver them throughout your body to be absorbed. 

Digestion actually begins in your mouth. Thanks to your teeth, your digestion starts with being able to chew your food. Chewing food stimulates your salivary glands to release saliva. Your saliva has enzymes in it that begin to break down your food as it makes its way into your stomach.

Acid reflux and poor digestion can create problems in your mouth such as bad breath. If you notice such symptoms and you also have a history of acid reflux, it may be a good idea to reach out to your doctor for further analysis of your digestion. Once the gut is working properly, the poor breath will likely resolve itself with good home care. It is hard to ditch the bad breath if there is another underlying condition, such as acid reflux, that is causing it. 

If you’ve been told you have bad breath, don’t let it get you down. We all experience bad breath at some time in our lives and staying on top of good homecare is usually enough to clear up bad breath. If you notice that your bad breath is not going away despite your efforts to improve your home care, please reach out to our dental team. Persistent and chronic bad breath can be signs of a more involved problem such as gum disease or decay.