How To Get Rid Of Bad Breath: Avoid These Bad Habits!

Bleeding gums, bad breath - they happen when bacteria accumulates on the teeth due to poor oral hygiene habits. Surprisingly, dental health is not just about a person's mouth. Studies show a strong connection between dental health and overall well-being. Brushing and flossing regularly are key for good oral health.

Poor dental hygiene can lead to a variety of health problems, including bad breath and gum disease. Left untreated, bad oral health can result in persistent pain, bleeding gums and in extreme cases, decay to the point of tooth loss.

Many poor oral hygiene habits can be fixed with some knowledge and a few changes to your daily routine. The steps we need to take are often small changes in our lifestyle. These changes do not need much effort or money. It may lead to few issues when people ignore them completely.

Why do I have bad breath?

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, can be an embarrassing problem that affects social interactions and confidence. To get rid of bad breath, you need to know its causes. You should use effective remedies and avoid habits that cause mouth odour.

Not flossing

Did you know that less than 30% of the population bothers to floss? While brushing your teeth and using a tongue scraper is important, it's not enough to remove plaque and bacteria from between your teeth. Neglecting oral hygiene is a primary cause of bad breath.

Flossing is perhaps the most overlooked aspect of dental health. The benefits of flossing are many. Flossing can remove plaque and bacteria that your toothbrush cannot reach. Especially after a meal of starchy or sticky food, flossing can remove all the debris that’s been trapped in between your teeth.

But how to floss and what happens when you don’t floss? Food that gets trapped there starts to slowly decompose and rot, giving your breath an unpleasant and sometimes nasty odour. Not the best way to boost your popularity at dinner parties.

Smoking

We all already know that smoking is horrible for our teeth. It makes our breath smell like tobacco. It also causes a yellowish stain to form on our teeth. But smoking has even more insidious, hidden ways that it can harm your oral health.

Research shows that smoking harms the nervous system. This makes it hard to heal lesions and other tissue damage in the mouth. Smoking or chewing tobacco can lead to bad breath and many oral health problems. These include tooth discolouration, gum disease, and oral cancer.

Especially after invasive gum surgeries (e.g. Most dentists recommend not smoking for at least two weeks after wisdom teeth removal. Smoking can slow healing and bring harmful germs to your sensitive gums.

Eating too much sugary or starchy food

As cliched as it sounds, it's true – eating too many sugary foods will cause cavities! Research shows that eating sugary foods or drinks can harm your teeth. This can lead to enamel damage and cavities. Candies and sodas aren’t the only problems.

Many processed foods at your local shop or supermarket also have hidden added sugar. This sugar can be just as harmful! Foods like garlic, onions, and certain spices can cause bad breath. Once digested, their byproducts enter the bloodstream, travel to the lungs and affect your breath.

Yes, innocuous-looking foods like crackers, chips or even pasta can linger in the mouth and break down into simple sugars. Bacteria in the mouth feed on the sugars in food and drinks. This process produces acid, which attacks the enamel of teeth and can lead to tooth decay.

The presence of a decayed tooth and poor dental hygiene can both contribute to bad breath. After eating sugary or starchy foods, it is important to brush your teeth and use mouthwash quickly. This helps remove any leftover bits that can cause tooth decay.

Not drinking enough water

While many people find saliva gross (I can see their point), it is important to note that saliva is 99% water! Not drinking enough water can lead to a problem called dry mouth. This happens when your body does not make enough saliva to keep your mouth moist. Saliva helps cleanse your mouth by removing particles that cause bad odours.

A condition called xerostomia, or dry mouth, can contribute to chronic bad breath. This not only causes bad breath, but a dry mouth also means less saliva. This makes it harder to wash away bacteria and plaque, leading to tooth decay.

Staying hydrated is important for preventing bad breath and maintaining a healthy oral environment. There is no excuse for not drinking enough water! Carry a flask around with you at all times and make an effort to keep it topped up. 

Most dentists suggest that people drink at least 2 litres of water each day. They also recommend having a drink at least once every thirty minutes. Chewing gum can help stimulate saliva production, but it's important to drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Not visiting the dentist regularly

Visit the dentist every 6 months, please! There is a multitude of benefits that come from visiting a dentist regularly. During each routine check-up, a hygienist will clean your teeth.

This cleaning removes plaque and tartar from your teeth and gums. It will also help freshen your breath. Your dentist can tell if you have cavities, gum disease, or signs of mouth cancer.

Even patients who follow good oral health practices are still at the risk of developing certain oral health conditions. Don’t take the risk! Prevention is always better than cure, so make sure to schedule a routine checkup at least once every 6 months.

Going to the dentist regularly, along with brushing and flossing often, can help prevent dental problems. It can also stop bad breath, including issues from gum disease or cavities.

 Related Articles

• Gum Disease Causes And Treatment In A Nutshell

• The Ultimate Gum Disease Diet: Eat Your Way to a Healthy Mouth

  
  
  
  
  

Fresh Breath Tips

• Eat a Balanced Diet
• Avoid Skipping Meals
• Limit Coffee and Dairy Products
• Practice Good Oral Hygiene Before Bed
  
  
  

Get your teeth cleaned using Airflow Cleaning

Airflow cleaning is a teeth cleaning method. It removes stains and soft deposits from the surfaces of teeth and between them. Airflow cleaning uses a device that sends a steady stream of air, water, and fine powder. This helps to gently remove surface stains, plaque, and polish teeth.

This simple procedure can help lower sulfur-producing bacteria. It also stops plaque and tartar from building up, which cause bad breath.

Now you know how to get rid of bad breath. If you have any questions regarding airflow cleaning, feel free to reach out to us and we will get back to you! 

References:

1. Lockhart PB, Brennan MT, Thornhill M, Michalowicz BS, Noll J, Bahrani-Mougeot FK, Sasser HC. Poor oral hygiene as a risk factor for infective endocarditis-related bacteremia. J Am Dent Assoc. 2009 Oct;140(10):1238-44. doi: 10.14219/jada.archive.2009.0046. PMID: 19797553; PMCID: PMC2770162.
2. Wang B, Zheng B, Zhai C, Yu G, Liu X. Relationship between fluorine in drinking water and dental health of residents in some large cities in China. Environ Int. 2004 Oct;30(8):1067-73. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2004.05.006. PMID: 15337352.