Do you ever wonder if you have bad breath? Are you self-conscious because you know your breath isn’t as fresh as it should be? Here are 8 things you can do to keep your breath fresh and your mouth clean. 

1. Brush and Floss Often 

Plaque buildup on your teeth can lead to bad breath. Trapped food is also a culprit. To keep both at bay, brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once. Practice proper brushing techniques so that you don’t unintentionally brush away the enamel which can lead to tooth decay. 

2. Use Mouthwash

Rinsing with mouthwash adds another layer of protection against bacteria. Make sure to use a good mouthwash that kills the germs that cause bad breath rather than just covering up smelly breath. 

3. Brush Your Tongue

Brushing your tongue with your toothbrush or a scraper helps to eliminate bacteria that coats your tongue and leads to bad breath.  

4. Avoid Certain Foods

Foods like garlic and onion have substances that don’t just cause your breath to stink but get into your bloodstream and into your lungs. You actually breathe out the pungent smell. Before a meeting, it’s best to just avoid them altogether.

5. Stop Using Tobacco Products

Tobacco causes bad breath, gum disease, stained teeth, and cancer. To improve your overall health and reduce bad breath, put in the hard work to stop using tobacco products. 

6. Chew Gum After Meals

Instead of grabbing a mint after a meal, chew sugarless gum. Bacteria in your mouth use sugar to create acid which promotes bad breath. Gum also encourages the production of saliva—your mouth’s natural defense against plaque, bacteria, and bad breath.

7. Drink Plenty of Water

Drinking enough water every day has numerous health benefits, including increasing the production of saliva. You can reduce your risk of tooth decay and bad breath just by drinking water. 

8. Keep Your Gums Healthy 

Bacteria can gather at the base of your teeth which leads to stinky breath and gum disease. Regular dental appointments and routine teeth cleanings can help protect your gums from disease and keep bad breath at bay.

If you’re concerned about bad breath or need to schedule a teeth cleaning, make an appointment at Atkins and Anderson Dentistry today. We are a family dentistry in Bryan-College Station dedicated to providing you a comfortable office visit with quality dental treatment.