Help Prevent Bad Breath with These Tips!

If you suffer from bad breath, it's important to know that it could be more serious than just an annoying odor. Persistent bad breath could mean that your teeth are experiencing decay and that you are missing an important part of your dental hygiene routine. Never fear! Access Dental and Dentures is the best dentist in southern Missouri, and we are here to help you! Keep reading to learn more about how to help prevent bad breath.

Don't Use an Old Toothbrush

Your toothbrush may be the problem if you have consistently bad breath. As your toothbrush gets old and worn out, it can start to grow bacteria and become a source of bad odors itself. This is not something you want to be brushing all over your mouth. Gross! Your toothbrush should be replaced every three months. But, keep in mind, if you are a more aggressive brusher or if you buy brands that wear out more quickly, you may want to replace it more often. Check regularly to see if bristles have started thinning, losing color, or bending. That means it's time to replace.

Brush Regularly

Brushing your teeth twice a day is one of the most important things you can do to keep your oral health and teeth in good condition. Bad breath could mean you aren't brushing your teeth enough or as well as you should be. If bad breath is a problem for you, it could be a good idea to start brushing every time you eat a meal. This can help remove any food particles and germs that would otherwise grow in your mouth and cause bad breath.

Floss Every Day

Flossing each day is very important in order to clean the hard-to-reach spaces in your mouth. Stuck food pieces may not always come out with daily brushing, and many toothbrushes can't even reach the space between your teeth. If food particles sit in between your teeth all day or night, they can start to smell due to bacterial growth and buildup. To reduce the chance of this happening, floss at least once a day! It could even be beneficial to run floss through your teeth after every meal.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking water is not only helpful to your teeth because of the fluoride content, but it can also help flush out bacteria, food pieces, and bad smells. Saliva is also an important factor in keeping your breath fresh and bacteria away. If you are dehydrated, the dryness in your mouth could be allowing bacteria to flourish. Ew!

Clean Your Tongue

Every morning, scrape your tongue to remove any bacteria or other particles that may have accumulated on the surface. This can help decrease the bacteria, fungi, and dead cells that buildup and cause bad breath. Try to scrape the entire surface of your tongue to get the best results. There are several tools that you can use in order to do this. Or, you can even use a small spoon! Just be careful not to scrape your teeth.

Your Dental Health

To help prevent bad breath, be sure to replace your toothbrush, brush at least twice a day, floss regularly, scrape your tongue, and keep yourself well hydrated! If you have tried all of these things and still suffer from bad breath, then it's probably time to ask for help. At your next visit to the best dentist in southern MO, ask our friendly staff for suggestions. Access Dental can help you find the right solution for your bad breath. Give us a call!

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile! 

1-877-DENTIST

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