Bad breath can ruin even the best moments if given a chance, and can be especially frustrating when you pride yourself on taking care of your smile. There a number of reasons for bad breath to last past your morning hygiene routine, and if it’s indicative of an illness, then treating your condition may be the only course for relief. In many cases, however, halitosis (chronic bad breath) is due to inadequate dental hygiene practices. Today, we examine a few dental health tips to help you cure bad breath and restore your smile’s confidence.
Keep Your Breath Fresh Longer
- Don’t skip brushing and flossing—When your morning or evening is especially hectic, you may “forget” to brush and floss. If you normally stick to your hygiene routine, then skipping once in a while may not seem so bad. However, dental plaque, which contains bacteria that cause bad breath, can harden after 48 hours. Hardened (calcified) plaque, called tartar, is impervious to your toothbrush, and can increase the likelihood of lingering bad breath.
- Stay hydrated—Dry mouth is a common cause of bad breath. Bad breath bacteria are anaerobic, meaning they thrive without oxygen, and the lack of saliva, which is 99% water, can create a hospitable environment for them to flourish. Drinking plenty of water can help you stay hydrated and facilitate a healthy saliva flow.
- Eat breakfast—Saliva production decreases when you sleep, causing your mouth to dry out and your breath to grow foul overnight. Before brushing and flossing your teeth in the morning, eat a well-balanced breakfast to kick-start your saliva flow and decrease the chances of lingering bacteria fouling your breath.
