Bad breath is never pleasant for anyone, and if you're the one who has it, it can be extremely embarrassing. How our breath smells is seen as a product of how we take care of our teeth and the kind of foods we eat. If you suffer from chronic bad breath, it is likely that you need to make a lifestyle change to decrease your frequency or severity of bad breath. Fortunately, correcting bad breath--or at least treating its potency--can be easily done by making a few small adjustments to how you take care of your mouth.
Step 1
Brush your teeth at least twice a day--particularly right before going to bed--for at least two to three minutes at a time, suggests the Mayo Clinic. Brushing after meals is preferred. This keeps food particles off your teeth and reduces the buildup of plaque and bacteria, which cause the bad breath smell. Bacteria and plaque do the most growing at night, making it important that you brush before bed each night.
Step 2
Brush your tongue, particularly the back of it. You can also use a tongue scraper if you'd prefer not to brush, or if the toothbrush makes you gag more easily. Bacteria buildup on your tongue tends to be the worst toward the back of your mouth, so the farther back you can get, the better your breath will smell.
Step 3
Floss once a day. This reaches in between your teeth where your toothbrush bristles can't reach, getting rid of food and plaque that can build up.
Step 4
Use a mouthwash rinse once nightly to kill bacteria and plaque that your brushing and flossing missed. Swish the mouthwash around for 30 seconds before spitting out.
Step 5
Drink water to avoid bacteria build-up. If you are out and won't be able to brush for a while, stick to water rather than milk, soft drinks or coffee. These drinks can encourage the growth of bacteria, while water can wash away excessive bacteria on your tongue.
Step 6
Chew gum or parsley to eliminate or reduce bad breath in the short term. However, realize that your bad breath will return soon after the effects of these treatments wear off.
Step 7
Visit your dentist for a cleaning twice a year. Your dentist will also be able to evaluate the condition of your teeth and mouth and can advise you on ways to improve your habits, resulting in better tooth care as well as reduced breath odor.
Things You'll Need
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Mouthwash
- Gum or parsley
