The sense of smell is one of the strongest of all the five senses, which is why our breath should be a constant consideration when assessing our overall look and appeal. There is nothing worse than meeting a date, a new boss, an old friend or neighbor, and, “liking what you see,” only to discover that he or she has horrible breath. Suddenly everything that impressed you is forgotten. We can forgive a person for a negligent appearance, here and there, but bad breath is another issue. Having fresh breath can be a great confidence builder, but once we discover we have bad breath, doubts arise. Even worse is when we’re not aware of this offense.
Also known as halitosis, bad breath can happen to anyone and there are many reasons why:
Not enough teeth brushing – not brushing your teeth leads to plaque buildup and plaque buildup leads to bad breath.
Insufficient flossing – flossing removes food particles that become lodged between your teeth. Overtime, these particles become old and start contributing to the overall negative smell in your mouth.
Dry mouth – the dryer your mouth is, the more bad breath you will experience. This is because bad breath comes from acid buildup and saliva neutralizes the acid buildup process.
Foods high in protein – some people say that if your breath smells poorly, this means your high protein diet is working. This is because a low-fat diet releases ketones that burn fat, ketones that are responsible for generating bad breath.
Smoking – it almost goes without saying that any smoke that goes into your lungs and lingers is going to create an undesirable smell that creeps into your mouth, and then is released to those around you.
Disease – metabolic disorders, cancer and GERD are just some of the diseases that can cause bad breath.
Now, for the good news. Our best fresh breath tips are:
Brush your teeth regularly – the ADA recommends brushing your teeth twice daily, however, some people choose to brush their teeth after every meal to guarantee fresh breath.
Floss often – this tip, to remove food particles, is a must when seeking fresh breath.
Brush your tongue – this is one of the most important and overlooked steps in proper oral hygiene. Brushing your tongue removes the bacteria that causes bad breath and is one of the most effective ways of eliminating unwanted bacteria in your mouth.
Drink lots of water – water flushes out your mouth and rinses away particles.
Baking soda – Brushing your teeth with baking soda helps neutralize the acid that causes bad breath.
Regular dental checkups– looking for signs of bad breath is an important part of every dental exam. At Acadian Family Dental we check for signs that might generate undesirable breath.
Sugar free mint or gum – gum helps stimulate saliva.
Mouthwash – antiseptic mouthwashes help kill bacteria.
Bad breath can have long-lasting effects. By practicing these fresh breath tips, you can be reassured that your breath is fresh and inviting.
For other tips on how to keep your breath fresh or if you have concerns about halitosis, contact Acadian Family Dental today at www.acadiandental.com or at (713) 766-5804.