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Helpful Tips To Eliminate Bad Breath

Posted by Nishikawa Family Dentistry Apr 14, 2023

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Good oral hygiene is necessary to maintain healthy teeth and gums and to prevent dental issues. It includes brushing your teeth after every meal, flossing at least once a day, and visiting your dentist regularly. Practicing good oral hygiene can prevent cavities and gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss. Good oral hygiene can also help keep your mouth looking and feeling fresh. Here are a few helpful tips to get rid of bad breath.

Brush And Floss your Teeth Twice Daily

You should brush your teeth at least two times a day for optimal oral health. Brushing regularly helps prevent cavities and gum disease by removing plaque from your teeth. Bacteria in plaque can cause bad breath and irritate your gums. You should have a soft-bristled toothbrush with a small head. The head of the brush should fit inside your mouth without covering the roof of your mouth. Most dentists recommend that you replace your toothbrush about every three months.

Plaque usually builds up on your teeth within twelve hours, so it's important to brush twice a day. You should also make sure to floss daily to remove plaque from between your teeth. Your dentist may recommend using mouthwash to kill bacteria and freshen your breath, but avoid using it too much since it can dry out your mouth and cause side effects like disrupted sleep.

When brushing your teeth, make sure that you spend at least two minutes cleaning every side of your mouth. Use short back-and-forth strokes to polish your teeth and clean the gums. Pay attention to any hard-to-reach places in your mouth, such as behind your back teeth, where food and plaque can hide. You can use an interdental cleaner to clean these areas if necessary. Make sure to thoroughly rinse your toothbrush out after each use and allow it to air dry in a place where it can get good airflow. This will prevent the growth of harmful bacteria on your toothbrush.

Brush Your Tongue

Bacteria that accumulate on the tongue can cause bad breath. Good oral hygiene practices should include brushing the tongue. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush or tongue scraper and brush gently in an up-and-down motion. 

Clean Dentures or Dental Appliances

Your mouth is not the only thing that should be cleaned on a regular basis; your dentures and dental appliances should also be cleaned and maintained. Plaque buildup can cause gum irritation and can eventually lead to infection if left unchecked for too long. You should clean your dentures daily in order to prevent the buildup of bacteria. 

Avoid Dry Mouth

While it is common to experience dry mouth on occasion, it's especially common for older adults and those experiencing certain medications. The condition is often referred to as xerostomia, and many people suffer from the chronic form. When saliva production is low, toxins are able to build up in the mouth and cause bad breath and other potential issues. Symptoms of dry mouth include chapped lips, difficulty swallowing, sore throat, cracked or dry tongue, and mouth sores. If you experience any of the symptoms, speak with your general dentist about ways to treat and prevent dry mouth. He or she may recommend changing medications or using oral lubricants or other solutions to help stimulate saliva production and keep your mouth clean.

To learn more about our dental services, you can schedule your appointment with our Torrance dentist by calling Nishikawa Family Dentistry at (310) 543-1655 or visiting us at 3556 Torrance Boulevard, Suite C, Torrance, CA 90503. 

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