Want fresh breath that actually lasts? You may need to improve your daily dental routine. The dentist at C.R. Sfeir D.D.S., General Dentistry in Lorain, Ohio, has compiled a few breath freshening tips below, which will put friends and fellow bus passengers at ease during your next close encounter.

For Fresher Breather, Follow These Dentist-Approved Tips

Brush Twice A Day 

Some people only brush at night, with the idea that if they go to sleep with a clean mouth, they’ll wake up with a clean mouth—but that’s not really the case. Dentists recommend that you brush in the morning too, to remove nightly plaque buildup.

Floss Daily 

It’s easy to forget, but flossing actually freshens your breath more than brushing. Despite the bubbly action and minty smell, brushing your teeth mainly just whitens your teeth and removes larger food particles. But bad breath-causing bacteria still hide in all those hard-to-reach areas that only your dental floss can reach.

Brush Your Tongue 

Bacteria don’t just live between teeth—it’s also on top of your tongue. For fresh breath, simply brush your tongue whenever you brush your teeth. Dentists also recommend using a specially designed tongue scraper to remove dead cells, food, and bacteria, all the way from the back of your mouth to the tip of your tongue.

Use An Antiseptic Mouth Rinse 

For the final touch after brushing and flossing, rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash that contains alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or sodium fluoride. Mouthwashes that solely focus on getting rid of bad breath (e.g. using peppermint oil) will not fight bacteria—avoid these unless you’re particularly susceptible to dry mouth, in which case alcohol-based mouthwashes might worsen your bad breath.

Stay Hydrated 

Your saliva actually fights bacteria too. It’s a very important part of our “oral ecosystem,” and without enough saliva, you’ll be more prone to mouth infections and bad breath. To facilitate saliva production, dentists recommend you drink plenty of water and eat properly.

Avoid Garlic & Onions 

Foods like garlic and onions will affect your breath long after you’ve brushed your teeth: they’re so pungent that once they’ve entered your bloodstream, you’ll continue exhaling the smell. So if you have people to impress, make sure you leave at least 24 hours between eating garlic and meeting them.

Avoid Sugar 

Dentists have been saying it forever—sugar is bad for oral health. Not only does it accelerate tooth decay, but it causes bad breath too. If you need to quickly freshen your breath during the day, sugar-free gum is the way to go. Don’t be fooled by mints, which might taste fresh, but won’t leave you smelling fresh.

Visit Your Dentist

Last but certainly not least, your local dentist will help freshen your breath during your biannual teeth cleaning! To schedule an appointment with C.R. Sfeir D.D.S., General Dentistry, call (440) 960-5200 today, or visit the website to learn more.