Life is filled with embarrassing moments, but most of them are fairly fleeting. Don’t let bad breath be one of them! Here are 10 fresh breath tips that, with a little diligence, can help your mouth smell as pleasant as the smile it sits behind.
You Are What You Eat
As the saying goes, you are what you eat. And if you eat enough of certain foods, you’ll smell like them too. Garlic and onions are classic culprits. Try to limit acidic and high-fructose foods as well. Most acids and sugars ramp up bacteria production in the mouth, resulting in bad breath. Common seafood like tuna is just as potent, but consider limiting dairy and coffee, too. The latter has its own acidity, suggests the Huffington Post, and creates quite the smell when it mixes with your stomach acids.
Watch What You Drink
In addition to watching what you eat, follow the same habit in liquid consumption as well. Coffee and alcohol both contain a potent residue that sticks to existing mouth plaque. When you exhale, this will spread a rather foul scent.
Travel Toothbrush
Another way to make sure your mouth stays fresh is to carry a travel-sized toothbrush and toothpaste. They’re small enough to fit in your purse or backpack and are the perfect way to ensure the germs of a pungent lunch don’t stay in your mouth until you get home! It is a good idea to keep them in your desk at work, too.
Update the Equipment
Brushing your teeth builds a foundation for good oral care, and promoting fresh breath is part of this process. But you need to make sure you’re using a good toothbrush; that means replacing it more frequently- every three to four months.
Drink Up
Water is so important to the human body, as you know. In addition to flushing out toxins, however, it keeps you hydrated and stimulates your saliva glands – which cleanse your tongue and teeth of food debris throughout the day. This prevents the buildup of bacteria that contributes to bad breath.
Eat Your Greens
Show of hands if you were told to eat your greens when you were growing up… One of the greens that helps keep your breath minty fresh is parsley. Next time you’re out to eat, save the parsley topping on your meal until the end. Your palate will thank you!
Butt Out!
It’s common knowledge that smoking can cause serious medical conditions, such as cancer and emphysema. But it also makes for quite an unpleasant mouth odour. If you have an addiction to nicotine, talk to your doctor about options in how to quit. Your breath (and your health) are too important.
Tongue Cleaning
Although brushing and flossing are staples of oral care, the tongue is often neglected when it comes to cleaning the mouth. When this is the case, it becomes a haven for bacteria buildup. You can use your toothbrush or a tongue scraper to clean your tongue. Some manual toothbrushes come with a tongue scraper on the back of the brushing head to help clean your tongue and tame the bad breath it causes.
Conduct Good Oral Hygiene
Flossing and brushing once and twice a day, respectively, should highlight your pursuit of a healthier breath. If you’re fighting an oral condition, you may even consider brushing a third time. After a big meal, for example, make a point of brushing with toothpaste to ensure you come away with a pleasant-smelling mouth. Keep in mind floss containers are also small enough to carry when you’re out of the house. It is also a good idea to supplement your brushing and flossing routine with a swish of mouthwash to keep your breath fresh even if you’ve gotten everything off your teeth.
Dental Visits
Regular dental checkups go hand-in-hand with consistent brushing and flossing. If you have any questions about what type of oral care plan works best for you, don’t hesitate to ask during these visits – which should come at least twice a year for professional cleaning.
Bad breath is one of life’s annoying little quirks. As unpleasant as it is, following these fresh breath tips will make your mouth healthy in any potentially embarrassing situation.