We’ve all experienced the discomfort of chatting with someone who has bad breath. Fear of being that poor, ignorant (or helpless) person making everyone scoot back might even make you anxious. If you’ve been told you have bad breath or are self-conscious on your own, don’t worry! There is actually a lot you can do to freshen your breath beyond popping a breath mint. These cures focus on treating the source of the issue, rather than masking a symptom.

We’ll start with the most basic. Brushing and flossing regularly prevents the build-up of odor-causing bacteria. We recommend you keep floss and an extra toothbrush at work so you can brush and floss after every meal. Caring for your teeth three times a day, especially after meals, helps stop bad breath before it even has a chance to start. Additionally, if you struggle with persistent bad breath, you should ask your dentist about which anti-bacterial mouth rinses he or she recommends.

Your tongue is often overlooked in oral care. Saliva breaks down food and carries it to your tongue for tasting, where your tastebuds “grab” the food to sense the taste. Your tongue is full of tiny cracks where food particles can get lodged, leading to overgrowth of bacteria. There are some special scrapers to help remove food and bacteria from your tongue, but also gently massaging it with your toothbrush helps to dislodge them.

Your mouth is meant to be very wet, all the time. Read more here on the important tasks of saliva in caring for your oral health. If you’re experiencing dry mouth, it can greatly increase bad breath issues. Drinking plenty of water during the day will not only help rinse out your mouth but will also help your body make enough saliva to keep your mouth clean. If you’re experiencing dry mouth despite being well-hydrated, come to see us today! Saliva is an essential tool your body uses to keep your mouth and whole body clean. Dry mouth can lead to bad breath, and both can be a symptom of a more serious issue.

Obviously, there are some foods notorious for giving you bad breath. Raw onions, garlic, curries, tuna, coffee are just a few. However, a diet high in sugary foods can also cause bad breath issues. This is yet another reason why you should enjoy sweets in moderation and focus on healthy, nutritious foods.

Here are two habits that any health professional will advise you to stop right away. These habits are destructive, bad for your whole body health as well as your oral health, and lead to bad breath. If you struggle to quit these addictive habits, ask our dentists for their recommendations. There are many ways to quit , and it may take some experimentation to find the way that’s right for you. Choosing to quit will have long-lasting benefits for your health and quality of life.

There may be an underlying medical or situational cause that’s preventing you from clearing up bad breath. If you have tried these tips and still have bad breath, it’s important to let your dentist know. Bad breath can be an early warning sign of many serious diseases and conditions. The sooner you let your dentist know, the sooner they can work with you to determine the underlying cause.

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