Good oral hygiene habits can go a long way in making sure your mouth always smells fresh. However, if you suffer from a dental condition like cavities or gum disease, you may experience bad breath. Here are some helpful tips to eliminate bad breath.

Brush your teeth twice daily

Keeping your teeth clean will help eliminate bad breath caused by bacteria that build up in your mouth. By brushing your teeth twice each day, you can prevent this buildup from occurring and keep your breath smelling fresh and clean.

In addition to getting a new toothbrush every three months, you should also replace it whenever the bristles are frayed. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to prevent damaging or scratching the surface of your teeth while brushing it. Also, use toothpaste with the ADA Seal of Acceptance. This seal means the product has been clinically proven to be both safe and effective for oral health. An ADA-approved toothpaste helps fight cavities and gingivitis, as well as prevent bad breath.

Floss at least once a day

The bacteria that cause bad breath can hide in hard-to-reach places in your mouth. That's why it's so important to floss every day. You may not see the built-up plaque between your teeth and along the gum line, but it's still there. And if you don't remove it, it can mix with the mucus that naturally occurs in your mouth to form foul-smelling acids.

You should be flossing at least once per day. This removes food particles from between teeth and the gum line, helping to prevent the formation of plaque. Some dentists even recommend flossing after every meal – especially once you've eaten sugary foods that could give you worse breath. 

Brush your tongue

Did you know that bacteria that build up on your tongue can cause bad breath? That's why it's important to brush your tongue when you brush your teeth. Tongue scrapers can also be an effective tool for removing bacteria and food debris from your mouth. In addition to reducing odor, regularly brushing your tongue can also improve overall mouth health.

Clean dentures or dental appliances

If your bad breath is caused by unclean dentures or other dental appliances, clean your dental appliance every day with soapy water. You may also use a denture cleanser to help remove odor-causing residue and bacteria. When cleaning your dentures, take extra care to brush the undersides, where food can get stuck. And don't forget to clean any retainers or mouthguards to freshen your breath.

Avoid dry mouth

Saliva acts as a natural cleanser for your teeth and gums and plays an important role in fighting tooth decay by neutralizing acids produced by plaque bacteria and washing it away. Without it, the risk of cavities is much higher. Swallowing repeatedly, drinking with a straw, smoking, certain medications, and naturally drier climates can all contribute to a decreased flow of saliva. A dry mouth can cause bad breath or make existing bad breath much worse. There are special types of mouthwash that can help increase your saliva flow, but the best thing you can do for your oral health if your mouth is dry is to drink water frequently throughout the day. If you experience chronic dry mouth due to a medical condition, see your dentist for treatment recommendations.

Adjust your diet

Foods that are high in sugar tend to hang around in your mouth longer and cause bacteria to grow and fester. When you consume these foods, you should make sure to drink plenty of water to help wash away the bacteria and food particles. And don't forget to brush and floss!

If you regularly have a dry mouth, you can prevent this by drinking more water throughout the day and avoiding beverages like coffee, soda, and alcohol that can dry you out.

Schedule regular dental checkups

Get to the root of the problem by scheduling an appointment with your dentist to see if you have any underlying dental problems that are causing bad breath. Regular cleanings and checkups can help ensure that any cavities or other oral health issues are caught early on when they are easier to treat and less expensive to correct!

If you wish to learn more, visit Cedar Creek Dental, Office of Dr. Phil Han, at 11786 SW Barnes Rd #360, Portland, OR 97225, or call (503) 646-1811.