Tips To Get Rid Of Bad Breath
If you suffer from morning breath that not only you notice, but others around you do, it’s likely something you’ll want to take control of pretty quickly. If you’re wondering why you’ve fallen victim to morning breath sure to ruin sleepovers, it goes far beyond brushing your teeth before you sleep each evening. Of course, cleaning your teeth regularly is something we’ve had drummed into us from a young age, so that’s a bare minimum. But, if it’s just not cutting it, it’s time you pulled out the big guns so you can finally rid yourself of that unwanted scent. Firstly, we’ll get to the route of your problems, before hitting you with the solutions to tackle them.
What causes morning breath?
There are various different causes of morning breath, most of which are a direct result of our lifestyle choices. Some of the major culprits are; having a dry mouth, poor oral hygiene, eating certain foods that are particularly potent and tobacco. Sure, we could just tell you to stop smoking and avoid all things bad for you, but we know that it’s just not an option for everyone. Instead, we’re on hand with our top tips and tricks to combat that bad breath.
1. Stay Hydrated
With dehydration being one of the primary causes of bad breath, it goes without saying that one of the simplest ways to control it is by drinking more. Ideally, we should consume around 2 litres of water every day, so, if you don’t, it’s likely the reason you’re having problems. Simply fill up a water bottle and sip throughout the day and ensure you drink a large glass of water before bed each evening. While we’re on the topic of hydration, alcohol can be a cause of dehydration, so, cut down on the booze if it’s really bad!
2. Cut The Acid
Along with a dry mouth, bacteria thrive in acidic places. If you want to cut down acid in your mouth, simply gargle water with baking soda. You’ll find baking soda in a lot of dental products for this exact reason, to cut down on acid and control bad breath. Therefore, if your dental products aren’t cutting it, baking soda might be the answer to your problems.
3. Remember To Brush Your Tongue
If you’re brushing and flossing regularly, but you’re still stuck with bad breath, it’s probably time to turn attention to your tongue. It’s not uncommon for us to completely forget about our tongue when we’re brushing, but it’s about time you showed it some attention.
4. Use Mouthwash
If you suffer from a dry mouth, then mouthwash is your new best friend. However, not any old mouthwash is up for the job. In fact, a mouthwash that contains alcohol can actually set you back. If you’re currently using mouthwash but it’s not as effective as you’d like it to be, switch to an alcohol-free version and you’ll likely see an improvement.
5. Reach For The Floss
We touched on flossing briefly. A lot of us can overlook it, but it can actually work wonders. Trapped food and build-up of plaque can wreak havoc with your breath as bacteria collects. If you really want to ensure your mouth is clean, you should not only brush your teeth twice a day but also use dental floss once a day. With that said, be carefully you’re not overdoing it. Brushing and flossing too often and too hard can actually wear down your teeth, making them more vulnerable to decay.
6. Avoid Smoking Before Bed
If you’re a smoker, you most definitely saw this one coming. Of course, it would be most beneficial for your health to knock smoking on the head altogether, but, if you’re not prepared to do so, you need to cut down at night. Besides causing major health problems, smoking will damage your gums, give you bad breath and stain your teeth. So, no matter how much you floss and rinse with mouth wash or water flosser, it will still overpower your efforts if you’re not prepared to cut down or give up entirely.
7. Avoid Sugary Gum And Mints
Bacteria in your mouth love sugar. Sugary gum, mints and of course, sweets lead to the production of acid, leading to bad breath. Even if you think chewing gum or mint is helping your bad breath, it is merely masking it and actually making it worse in the long run. So, if you’re looking for a quick fix to bad breath, reach for the sugar-free options instead.
8. Avoid Foods That Will Turn Your Breath Sour
We’re not here to tell you to cut out your favourite foods, but, as mentioned earlier, there are some big offenders when it comes to bad breath. If there’s a morning where you’re particularly concerned about your breath (perhaps the morning after a date), then you should avoid potent foods such as onions and garlic. The same goes for tequila and sambuca, no matter how times you brush, there are just some stenches that stick around for a long time.
Now that we’ve covered the primary causes and a whole host of simple tips and tricks to get a hold on your bad morning breath, you simply need to go out and put them to the test. It’s worth noting that if all of these remedies don’t work their magic for you, there might be an underlying problem that requires attention. If your bad breath seems like it’s there to stay no matter what you try, you should book an appointment with your dentist or your doctor for some professional advice. As a parting comment, there are no quick fixes to bad breath, so once you find something that works for you, stick at it!
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