Dentist in Marysville, WA Helps Prevent Bad Breath
Everybody has bad breath at one point or another, whether after a meal full of garlic or when waking up in the morning. But for some people, bad breath (also known as halitosis) is a chronic problem that negatively affects their lives. If you're one of them, take heart! You're not alone! Here are some things you can try to get your breath smelling sweet.
1. Brush your teeth twice a day.
Bad breath is usually due to the bacteria in your mouth, and your first weapons are your good old toothbrush and toothpaste. Removing the plaque and food particles from your mouth will greatly reduce the amount of bacteria, and brushing with baking soda afterwards will help neutralize the acidity involved in tooth decay.
2. Floss once a day.
Flossing helps deal with the food particles and bacteria that are caught between your teeth and can't be reached with a brush.
3. Clean your tongue.
Did you know your tongue is also a haven for bacteria? It's true! Just like you wouldn't consider your living room clean without vacuuming the carpet, your mouth isn't totally clean until you've cleaned your tongue. You can use the bristles of your brush, the textured back of your toothbrush head (if it has one, that's what it's for) or a tongue scraper.
4. Use mouthwash.
While mouthwash alone is not sufficient, with brushing and flossing it can be effective at banishing the bad smells.
5. Watch what you eat.
And no, I don't mean garlic and onions! While those and other pungent foods might give you temporary dragon breath, it's carbohydrates and sugars that are likely to cause chronic issues, because the bacteria in your mouth love them! Cutting back on sugary snacks and sodas can improve both your dental health and your bad breath. This is also why sucking on mints to improve your breath is a terrible idea; it actually makes the problem worse!
6. See your dentist in Marysville, WA.
If you have bad breath, don't be shy about going to your dentist! They see this problem all the time, and not only will they not judge you, they also will be able to help deal with the bacteria and decay that might be the root of the problem.
7. See your doctor.
If none of this helps, you might want to make an appointment with your doctor. While most bad breath stems from oral bacteria, it can also indicate a medical issue, like acid reflux, post-nasal drip, or infected tonsils. Your doctor can check those possible problems and prescribe medication to fix anything that's wrong.
Conclusion
Bad breath can make your life worse, but it doesn't have to. Taking care of your teeth and mouth will probably resolve the issue, much to the relief of both you and all your friends, family and coworkers!
Quil Ceda Happy Dental can be reached at (360) 659-1149. Don't wait, give our office a call today!
