We all know that making a good first impression goes a long way, and nothing stinks more than turning someone off due to a case of bad breath (pun intended). With over 65 million Americans suffering from bad breath, you aren?t alone if you feel the need to keep people at an arm-length?s distance just in case bad breath, also known as halitosis, can be caused by a variety of factors, and the good news is there are a lot of possible cures. Here are five tips to help beat bad breath for good:
- Brush your teeth AND your tongue
Many times, bad odor is due to the bacteria that covers your tongue and can quickly multiply between your taste buds, giving off a stinky smell. We all know to brush our teeth, but breaking up the bacteria on your tongue is very important to keep the stink from sneaking up on you. Along with brushing your tongue, we recommend investing in a tongue scraper (available at most drug stores) to remove bacteria for good.
- Take care of your tummy
Gastrointestinal problems, such as acid reflux, can be sending smelly signals from your stomach that you don?t want your neighbors to experience. We recommend attending to any GI issues that may be causing discomfort and leading to bad breath. Eating probiotics or taking an antacid can help manage the acid being produced. We recommend talking to your Krengel dentist and doctor about ways to manage these symptoms the best way.
- Have a healthy snack!
An empty stomach can also lead to your stomach sending signals towards your mouth that can include foul breath. Skipping meals or leaving hunger unattended leads to acid building up in your stomach, bringing bad smells with it. We recommend preparing snacks like fresh fruits and vegetables which will not only keep you satiated, but will help rid bacteria that could be building up on your teeth, gums and tongue by producing saliva.
- Stay hydrated
When your mouth is dry, there isn?t enough saliva to keep bacteria from building up. Saliva is the mouth?s cleaning system, keeping debris from building up and lessening your chance of bad breath. Make sure to keep your mouth moist so that saliva is being produced by staying hydrated and attending to a dry mouth.
These tips just brush the surface for ways to attend to bad breath. The best way to beat bad breath is to consistently come in for dental cleanings at Krengel Dental and work with your dentist to find a lasting solution. Are you due for a 6 month cleaning? Call us to schedule at 952-888-1311
