Bad breath can be reduced or eliminated with proper diet and oral hygiene. According to TeensHealth.com, bad breath, or halitosis, is the result of odor-causing bacteria building up in your mouth. If you don't brush and floss often or thoroughly enough, these bacteria accumulate on the food particles stuck between your teeth and produce sulfuric compounds. Bad breath can also be a result of odor-causing agents from pungent foods and cigarette smoke, which are absorbed by the lungs and exhaled through the mouth.
Step 1
Brush your teeth for at least two minutes twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and soft-bristled toothbrush. MayoClinic.com recommends using an electric or battery-powered toothbrush if you have physical limitations that make it difficult to brush correctly.
Step 2
Use the proper technique when you brush. Hold the brush at a slight angle to your teeth and use back-and forth strokes to clean the entire surface of each tooth. Remember to brush your tongue as well.
Step 3
Floss daily with regular or waxed dental floss. Wrap an 18-inch section of floss around the middle finger of both hands and use your thumb to guide the floss up and down between teeth, scraping the sides. Unwind the floss a bit with each tooth so you have a fresh section and are not transferring plaque between crevices.
Step 4
Rinse with antiseptic mouthwash after brushing. TeensHealth.com recommends a plaque-fighting variety featuring the American Dental Association seal of approval.
Step 5
Visit your dentist if your bad breath persists despite proper oral hygiene. Resistant bad breath can be a sign of sinusitis or gum disease.
