Tips for preventing awful breath

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by: Martin Fresh
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Word Count: 537
Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2011 Time: 3:41 AM
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Bad breath, formally known as halitosis, is a very common condition that affects most of us at some point in our lives. Most people experience bouts of bad breath when they wake up or after they have eaten something with a strong odour, but for some people, bad breath is a daily problem.

Dealing with bad breath

It can be embarrassing having bad breath and if you're conscious about your breath this can affect the way you behave around others; you may be more reserved and introverted than usual, for example. If you have bad breath, there are some steps you can take to try and keep your breath smelling fresh and clean, and these include:

Good oral hygiene

Good oral hygiene is the most effective way of keeping your breath smelling fresh, and it is also essential for good oral health. Your daily oral hygiene routine should include two minutes of teeth cleaning each day, normally once in the morning and once before you go to bed, flossing on a daily basis and using mouthwash regularly. It's important to spend two minutes brushing your teeth at least twice a day to remove bacteria and plaque from the mouth and surfaces of the teeth and freshen your breath. If you find that you suffer from bad breath in the middle of the day, use mouthwash to rinse your mouth out and keep your breath fresh until you brush your teeth again in the evening.

Visit your dentist

If you suffer from bad breath on a regular basis and there doesn't seem to be a trigger, such as a strong food for example, arrange to see your dentist. Bad breath is a symptom of some oral health conditions and treating this condition may resolve the problem. If you have chronic bad breath which is not caused by an underlying dental condition, your dentist will offer you advice and talk to you about possible treatments. Regular dental check-ups are also important for maintaining high standards of oral health and reducing the risk of oral health problems.

Going for regular cleaning treatments at the dentist is also a good way of keeping your mouth clean and healthy. Cleaning treatments are much more intense than normal brushing and will help to remove stubborn stains and plaque deposits.

Avoid certain foods and drinks

Certain strong smelling foods and drinks can leave an unpleasant odour in the mouth; common examples include coffee, onions, garlic and spicy food. If you are prone to bad breath, you should try to avoid these foods. If you do eat or drink something strong, brush your teeth, rinse your mouth out with mouthwash or chew sugar-free chewing gum to give your breath a boost of freshness.

Chew gum and mints

Chewing sugar free gum and sugar free mints will help to keep your breath smelling fresh and clean; try to go for sugar-free versions, as foods that are high in sugar weaken the enamel surfaces of the teeth, which can contribute to decay and tooth erosion.

About the Author

If it is not only bad breath causing you problems and you, for example, have a problem with bleeding gums then a visit to your dentist is recommended. A problems like gingivitis.