It’s no secret that bad breath, also referred to as halitosis, is a major source of social anxiety and embarrassment. It negatively impacts your personal and professional relations and can put a serious damper on your confidence. Luckily, bad breath isn’t a permanent condition, and there are a few simple steps that you can take to overcome it. In this blog, we are going to discuss some of the tips and tricks to help you have fresher, cleaner, and better breath and boost your confidence. Keep reading to discover more.

Understand the Causes of Bad Breath

If you are suffering from bad breath, you may feel like you are alone. However, that’s not the case at all. Approximately 30% of Americans suffer from bad breath. So before we dive into the tips to overcome bad breath, it’s essential to understand the various causes of it, and they include:

• Poor oral hygiene
• Gum disease
• Dry mouth
• Smoking
• Certain medications
• Health conditions such as diabetes
• Various foods you eat

One of the best ways to understand what exactly is causing your bad breath is by visiting your dental clinic. Dentists can determine the cause of bad breath through a combination of examination, evaluation of medical history, and use of diagnostic tools. If you are suffering from bad breath and want to discover the reason why and find the solution, schedule a check-up with your dentist right away. Now, let’s take a look at things you can do to overcome your bad breath. 

1. Practice Good Oral Hygiene

You may be sick of hearing it, but good oral hygiene is essential. It may be a bit of a nuisance; however, the benefits of keeping up with your routine outweigh the negative impacts of not doing it. Proper oral hygiene is always the first step to overcoming horrible-smelling breath. You should at least brush your teeth twice a day and floss at night to eliminate any debris that has built up during the day. A dentist-recommended mouthwash is also an amazing way to remove bacteria causing bad breath from the mouth. Make sure to brush your tongue, as bacteria can accumulate there and contribute to bad breath.

2. Stay Hydrated

Have you noticed your mouth is a little more dry than usual? This may be one of the leading reasons you are experiencing bad breath. Make sure that you are drinking plenty of water throughout the day. It will keep your mouth moist and assist in reducing the production of harmful bacteria associated with causing bad breath. Drinking water is also an easy way to wash away food particles and bacteria lingering in your mouth.

3. Watch What You Eat

No matter if you are keeping up with your dental routine and drinking enough water throughout the day, you may still need better breath. This can be because of the food that you eat daily. For example, certain foods like garlic and onion leave a lingering odor in your mouth. Therefore, if these particular foods are a part of your daily diet, you may need to take extra care.

Now, you don’t have to eliminate them from your diet completely. Just make sure to brush your teeth immediately after eating them to assist in preventing bad breath. Additionally, eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables can promote good oral health and reduce the likelihood of bad breath significantly. Additional foods that can lead to bad breath include:

• Spicy foods
• Dairy products
• Sugary foods and drinks
• Alcoholic beverages

4. Quit Smoking

Smoking causes bad breath and damages your oral health, leading to gum disease and tooth decay. Smoking causes it by introducing chemicals and toxins into the mouth and lungs. These chemicals can linger in the mouth and throat, producing an unpleasant odor that can be difficult to mask. Smoking can also dry out the mouth, reducing saliva production and contributing to bad breath.

The chemicals found in cigarettes, like nicotine and tar, can also coat the tongue and throat, contributing to developing bacteria that produce foul odors. These chemicals can also lead to a buildup of plaque and tartar on the teeth, which can contribute to gum disease and tooth decay, both of which can cause this.

5. Visit your Dentist Regularly

You can take a guess at what is causing your bad breath and plan accordingly; however, visiting your dentist regularly is the best and only way to know what exactly is causing it and the treatment you need or the lifestyle changes you need to make. Regular visits to your dentist can help identify and treat any oral health issues that may be contributing to this. Your dentist can also provide professional cleaning to remove plaque and tartar buildup, which can contribute to this.

You should schedule at least two dental check-ups per year. Not only will they be able to find the cause of bad breath and help you correct it, but they will also be able to identify and diagnose any other oral health conditions before they become too serious. So, make sure to keep up with your regular dental hygiene and schedule routine check-ups with your dentist!

Schedule a Check-Up with Beautiful Smiles Dental Center

Whether it’s you suffering from bad breath or it’s your partner or kids, Beautiful Smiles Dental Center is a trusted family dental clinic in Gurnee, IL, with dental treatment options for all ages. Has bad breath been lowering your self-confidence and negatively impacting your professional and personal relationships? Then schedule an appointment with Beautiful Smiles Dental Center. Their dental specialists will get down to the cause of your bad breath and recommend the best treatment and solution for it. Don’t wait any longer; schedule your appointment today.