The Secret to Fresh Breath

We have all been in that awkward position where we have been on the receiving end of someone’s bad breath.

You try to continue on a conversation (without breathing through your nose) in an effort not to make the other person feel embarrassed. Unfortunately, you can’t control what’s going on in other people’s mouths, but you can take steps and precautions to make sure you don’t put anyone through that same awkward position.

How do you know if you have bad breath?

The easiest way to know if you have bad breath is to ask a friend. If you don’t want to ask them to smell your breath, then ask your friend to take a look in your mouth. If they can see a build-up of yellow or white film on the back of your tongue, it is likely a build-up of odorous bacteria.

If that’s not an option, and I know this sounds gross, but have you ever flossed your teeth and then smelled the floss? That plaque and bacteria is sitting in between your teeth and hanging out on your tongue throughout the day.  

If flossing your teeth isn’t an option, you can do a sniff test. Lick your wrist, let it dry, and take a sniff. This is usually a pretty good indication of how fresh your breath is!

What Causes Bad Breath?

1. Poor oral hygiene. Bacteria in your mouth builds up throughout the day.
2. What you eat and drink in a day can have a huge impact on your breath. If you’re eating a diet full of sugars, carbs, garlic, or strong-smelling food, then that smell will linger in your mouth.
3. Smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco.
4. Digestive issues.

How to Stop Bad Breath

1. To cut down on the multiplication of bacteria, make sure you brush your teeth twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste. Also, make sure you floss your teeth once a day, preferably in the evenings before you brush your teeth. Don’t forget to brush/scrape your tongue too!
2. Eat a healthy diet full of veggies, fruits and lean proteins.
3. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. This will wash away food particles and also keep you from getting a dry mouth, which can cause bad breath.
4. And don’t forget to keep up with your regular hygiene appointments at Peachland Dental Centre!