You can’t always tell when you have bad breath, creating some potentially embarrassing situations. However, by making a few positive changes in your habits and oral care routine, you can prevent the problem from arising. Here are a few tips dentists often recommend to their patients who experience this issue. 

How to Eliminate Bad Breath

1. Brush & Floss Properly

You might be brushing and flossing, but are you doing it properly? To keep oral bacteria at bay, you should brush twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and focus on whisking away grime from the gum line. You should also floss to remove plaque and prevent tartar buildup, which can harbor the bacteria that cause bad breath. 

2. Clean Your Tongue

If you could observe your tongue through a microscope, you would see a bumpy surface filled with crevices where germs can hide. Tongue scrapers are designed to remove the biofilm that covers the surface, improving your breath. In fact, one study showed that people who used the device enjoyed 30% fewer sulfur compounds on their tongues that caused the issue.

3. Chew Sugar-Free Gum

Dry mouth also causes bad breath since saliva helps rinse away bacteria and food particles. To boost your salivary rate, dentists often recommend chewing sugar-free gum. In addition to freshening your breath, it also cleans your mouth and helps restore the natural pH of your smile after eating. 

4. Quit Smoking 

Smoking can fill your mouth with dozens of chemicals, not to mention a layer of tar that discolors your teeth. Stark temperature changes that occur during smoking thicken the walls of your mouth, reducing salivary flow and leading to bad breath. To freshen it, speak with your dentist about ways to quit. 

Stop bad breath by working with Dansville Family Dental Care in New York today. They offer fast, friendly, and efficient services to help you create and maintain a radiant smile. In addition to basic dental exams and cleanings, their dentist, Dr. Rosemeire Santos-Teachout also provides dental implants, veneers, and orthodontic care. Learn more about the practice by visiting online. To schedule an appointment today, call (585) 335-6170.