Preventing or Lessening Bad Breath

Posted .

You’re looking forward to a romantic evening. Unfortunately, you’ve noticed that you’ve had bad breath recently. There’s nothing that can kill the mood of a romantic evening quite like bad breath. So, what can you do to have fresher breath?

Watch What You Eat
Some foods can be sources of bad breath. Strong cheeses, garlic, onions, and hot peppers can be avoided or eaten in small amounts to help lessen bad breath. For your date night, you may want to skip these foods.

Avoid Dry Mouth
Saliva is nature’s way of cleaning the mouth. If you have dry mouth, food particles and bacteria are not being washed away sufficiently. This can cause bad breath. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated! Keep in mind that coffee, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages can all contribute to dry mouth.

Brush & Floss
Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. If you can, brush after each meal. Floss your teeth at least once each day. Flossing properly removes plaque and food particles from between the teeth.

Brush Your Tongue
Bad breath-causing bacteria and plaque grow and gather on the tongue. Brush your tongue from back to front to help reduce odors. You may also use a tongue scraper.

Don’t Use Tobacco Products
Not only are smoking and chewing tobacco bad for your health, they can lead to bad breath. The scent of these products tends to stay in the mouth after use. We recommend avoiding tobacco products entirely.

Schedule & Keep Dental Cleaning Appointments
To help prevent or lessen bad breath, we encourage you to schedule and keep dental cleaning and exam appointments. Tell Drs. Calpas, Hendrix, and Amundson about your concerns with bad breath and they can help determine the cause. Bad breath is often caused by tooth decay or gum disease, which can be addressed at our office.

Contact Monticello Dental Center at 763-263-7100 today to learn more about bad breath and to schedule your next visit with our dentists in Big Lake, Minnesota.