If you’ve ever realized mid-date that your breath reeks, you know that a fresh, hygienic mouth is a national crisis. No one should have to go through such a mortifying experience! Plus, bad breath can actually indicate something’s up with your oral health. To honor National Fresh Breath Day this August 6th, take a moment to learn more about pervasive oral odors. After you read, you can treat yourself to some fun, breath-cleansing products!
What Makes Breath Stinky?
Noticing a funky stench when you open wide could mean several things – don’t worry, though! Not all of them are urgent. Here’s the details:
- Bacteria: both natural and harmful bacteria can leave behind a smelly, waste-like substance.
- Food: things like garlic and onions continue to emit odors until they completely pass through your body
- Dry Mouth: saliva helps clean your mouth, so if it’s low, your nose is likely to notice.
- Gum Disease and cavities: the bacteria that cause these conditions stink – if your bad breath can’t be cured, it might be time to see your dentist.
- Certain Medical Conditions: oral infections, sinus issues, gastric reflux, and other problems can make it difficult to stay fresh. This is a case for your general doctor.
While determining the cause of your bad breath can be complicated, most of the time, it can be mitigated with a few simple tricks.
How To Stay Minty-Fresh
Keeping your mouth fresh and pleasant comes down to smart hygiene practices. Here’s what you can do to ensure your oral routine is effective:
- Brush: two minutes twice per day is the recommendation! Don’t forget to scrub the bacteria on your tongue, too.
- Floss: once per day is ideal. Nowadays, you can choose between classic thread or a gentle water flosser.
- Rinse: once again, you have options! Simple warm water goes a long way, but adding a tiny bit of salt helps heal sores, and mouthwash is good if you want something stronger.
- Clean dental appliances: that means following your care instructions for dentures, braces, clear aligners, mouthguards – if it goes in your mouth, it needs to be cleaned!
- Drink water: the best way to keep you and your mouth hydrated. Artificial flavors could contribute to bad breath, though.
- Choose foods strategically: basically, don’t eat garlic-heavy pastas right before a date.
- Sugar-free chewing gum: besides providing freshness, sugar-free gum also helps lift smelly bacteria off your teeth.
- Check in with your dentist: screening for oral conditions and getting a professional cleaning will definitely promote pleasant oral hygiene.
Bad breath might be troublesome enough to have a national holiday dedicated to preventing it, but with some mindfulness and help from your medical professionals, it can be conquered before your next meet-and-greet!
About the Practice
Drs. M. Faizan Ali and Naira T. Kraipak provide quality dental treatment with calming comfort. They believe that each patient deserves a fully personalized care plan that addresses both their needs and concerns. If you’re nervous about visiting the dentist due to bad breath or general anxiety, Dr. Ali and Dr. K will work with you to ensure you have a positive experience at Plush Dentistry. To contact their office, call 469-256-7098.