Bad breath can be embarrassing and can limit your social interactions. Bad breath can be a result or poor oral hygiene, the type of food you've consumed or an oral condition. If you can get rid of your bad breath, you will make the people around you happier, and you might save yourself a trip to the dentist's office.
Step 1
Keep your teeth clean. Brush your teeth twice a day and floss once daily. Plaque on your teeth and particles of food in between your teeth contribute to the freshness or unpleasantness of your breath. Mayoclinic.com recommends brushing for two to three minutes per session. Thoroughly clean any bridges or dentures once daily.
Step 2
Clean your tongue twice a day. Use a toothbrush or a tongue scraper to remove bacteria, dead cells and food from your tongue. Work your way from the back of your tongue to the front. According to mayoclinic.com, bacteria tends to collect on the back part of your tongue.
Step 3
Avoid foods that cause bad breath. According to ada.org, once food is absorbed into your bloodstream, it is transferred to the lungs and expelled through your breath. Odor from unpleasant foods, such as onions and garlic, will cause bad breath until the body gets rid of the food.
Step 4
Drink plenty of water each day to keep your mouth moist. Moisture in your mouth helps clean the mouth and get rid of any food debris that can cause bad breath. Chew sugarless gum or suck on a sugar-free breath mint to increase salivation production. If you experience constant dry mouth, consult your dentist.
Step 5
See your dentist if you are practicing good oral hygiene and you still experience bad breath. Your dentist can determine if you have an underlying oral condition. The dentist can also perform a thorough teeth cleaning twice a year to help boost your oral hygiene.
Things You'll Need
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Sugar-free gum or mints
