8 Ways to Prevent & Treat Bad Breath

8 Ways to Prevent and Treat Bad Breath

Did you know, the most Google mouth complaint is bad breath, with over 3,000 monthly searches in the UK? That's why we’ve put together some top tips on how to prevent and treat bad breath.

1. Regular check-ups

Regular visits to the dentist play an important role in oral hygiene. As well as regular check-ups to see if your gums and teeth are healthy, we advise you to book a professional tooth clean at least twice a year. This way bad breath can be dealt with professionally if you have any worries or questions. Book a check-up here.

2. Don’t forget about your tongue

When it comes to brushing your teeth, many people forget that there can be a coating of bacteria still present on your tongue. We advise brushing your tongue as well as your teeth to achieve optimum cleanliness. Brushing your tongue or investing in a tongue scraper will help reduce bad breath. Read more on brushing here.

3. Stay hydrated!

Keep that water bottle close! Staying hydrated is important if you want to reduce bad breath. Drinking water helps engage your saliva glands, which cleanses your tongue and teeth from any food particles left behind throughout the day.

4. Watch your food intake

Remember, there are plenty of foods out there can sour your breath. The most common foods include onions and garlic, which can stay in the mouth even after brushing. The chemicals that cause the smell travel through your blood stream and into your lungs, where you continue to breathe them out, even if you’ve brushed your teeth after your meal.

5. Clean between your teeth

As well as brushing twice daily, it is important to continue to floss or use interdental brushes/sticks regularly. Flossing on a daily basis will help prevent the build-up of plaque, which harbours more bacteria on the teeth. Keeping on top of this will prevent bad breath from forming faster.

6. Keep an eye on your drink habits

It’s always hard to turn down a strong black coffee in the morning, but keep in mind that some drinks can create strong smells when you breathe out. For example, coffee and alcohol contain a strong residue that can stick to existing plaque where bacteria can build up much quicker than usual.

7. Quit smoking and Tobacco products

For many this is easier said than done, however smoking impacts overall health and contributes highly to bad breath. Tobacco products also affect the levels of moisture in the mouth, which can lead to a stale and unpleasant odour. Looking to kick the habit? Book an appointment with our dental hygienists today and they will be happy to discuss the immense benefits of becoming a non-smoker. Check out the https://smokefreeapp.com/ website.

8: Try a sugar-free mint

Sugar-free mints are a quick fix if you’re looking to cover bad breath. Sucking on a sugar-free mint will help freshen breath, and also increase saliva, helping to moisten the mouth and free any food residue. If you are going to use mouthwash after eating, please use an alcohol-free version. Here at Bow Lane, we're big fans of Peppersmith mints.

Struggling with Halitosis?

Banish bad breath with our Halitosis treatment at Bow Lane Dental.