5 Ways to Prevent Bad Breath

Posted on by Millennium Family Dental
drinking glasses filled with water and fruit with a lime on top
Glasses filled with fruit and water with a lime on top

We all suffer from bad breath on occasion. For 25-30% of us, it is an embarrassing problem we deal with on a regular basis. Millennium Family Dental cares about your family’s oral health on a day to day basis, not just every six months. We know it’s challenging to manage all the dental needs of your family. We hope to provide you with a few useful tips on how to help your family fight bad breath.

Bad breath has many causes: poor oral hygiene, uncontrolled diabetes, gum disease, dental cavities, malnutrition, dry mouth, and infections. The human mouth is home to hundreds of different bacteria, some of which create bad smells. Bad breath can also be temporarily caused by certain foods and drinks, as well as alcohol and smoking.

How to Prevent Bad Breath

  1. Get Regular Checkups and Cleanings Regular check-ups will allow your dentist to detect underlying problems that may be causing bad breath, such as periodontal disease or dry mouth. Your dentist can then treat the disease or refer you to a periodontist if necessary. Regular cleanings remove plaque that builds up and contributes to odor in the mouth.
  2. Replace Your Toothbrush Every 2-3 Months Bacteria can build up in moist toothbrushes, increasing odor-causing bacteria on your teeth and gums. In addition, an old, frayed toothbrush doesn’t work as well as a new one. Frayed bristles can’t reach all the nooks and crannies where plaque and bacteria hide.
  3. Drink More Water Bacteria can build up in moist toothbrushes, increasing odor-causing bacteria on your teeth and gums. In addition, an old, frayed toothbrush doesn’t work as well as a new one. Frayed bristles can’t reach all the nooks and crannies where plaque and bacteria hide.
  4. Brush and Floss Every Day Since bad breath is primarily caused by food particles and bacteria in the mouth, if you brush your teeth after every meal, the food particles will never have the chance to build up and cause bad breath. Flossing daily removes food and bacteria that hide between the teeth. If bad breath is a problem, brush after each meal and floss twice each day.
  5. Chew on a Lemon or Orange Rind The citric acid in the peel of lemons and oranges stimulates salivary glands, which reduces bad breath. Wash the rind with clean water first, then chew for a refreshing burst of flavor.

Schedule an Appointment

We hope you have fun using and sharing our natural methods of preventing bad breath secrets! We know you’ve got enough to stress about already, don’t let bad breath be one of them! If you’re concerned that there may be a more serious issue causing a family member or yourself to have bad breath, call our friendly team at Millennium Family Dental to schedule an in-office consultation today!