August 6 is National Fresh Breath Day, and there is no better time than the present to think about all the things you can do to improve your breath. After all, when your breath is fresh, you’re more kissable, more pleasant to be around, and you’ll never have a bad taste in your mouth.
Here are just some of the things you can do to ensure that you always have fresh breath.
Floss Daily
Flossing is an essential part of daily oral health care. Doing this before bed every night allows you to remove the food and bacteria that have built up in between your teeth over the course of the day. Brushing can’t reach everywhere, and it’s those nooks and crannies in between teeth where things get stuck and, if not removed, cause bad breath and, eventually, decay and infection.
Brush Twice a Day
The minimum you should brush your teeth is twice a day – once in the morning to wash away a night of saliva and build-up and once at night to wash away the remains of the day. In ideal circumstances, you brush after every meal, though your dentist knows that isn’t always optimal. Brushing your teeth, gums, and tongue regularly keeps your breath fresh and your oral health strong.
Stay Hydrated
Everyone has different beverages they like to drink to stay hydrated. If you’re an athlete or exercise regularly, you may rely on sports drinks. These may replenish electrolytes, but they also populate your mouth with plenty of sugar – which means gross breath. Keep any sugary drinks to a minimum and stay hydrated with water. It’s good for you and it’s also good for your teeth and breath, rinsing off whatever has settled in your mouth and on your enamel.
Chew Sugar-Free Gum
If you love to chew gum, the only kind to chew is sugar-free gum with xylitol, a natural sweetener. Chewing gum is like eating. It helps your mouth produce more saliva. People who have a dry mouth are more likely to suffer from bad breath because they don’t have enough saliva washing away particles responsible for yucky breath. Dry mouth can be a side effect of medication or aging, but it’s always important to discuss this problem with your Arlington dentist so it can be addressed immediately.
See Your Dentist
It is recommended that people see their dentist every six months for a teeth cleaning and check-up. This appointment ensures that you have expert eyes on your mouth that will recognize problems as they are developing and address them before they become major oral health complications. Bad breath is fixable, so don’t be embarrassed to ask your dentist for help. There may be an underlying condition that needs to be addressed.
Get Fresh Breath Today
There is a difference between eating onions and having bad breath for a little while and chronic halitosis that doesn’t go away no matter how much you clean your teeth. Bad breath is a sign that something isn’t right with your oral health. Make your teeth a priority. Schedule a dental visit with Dr. Alana Macalik in Arlington, Texas.