What Is That Smell? 5 Tips for Preventing Bad Breath

It is a picturesque morning. You slowly awaken to a subtle ray of sunlight peering through your window and smell the delicious aroma of freshly baked waffles coming through your door. After relaxing for a few more minutes, you follow your nose to the kitchen and see your significant other with a cup of coffee already made. As you open your mouth to say good morning, you immediately regret your decision when you smell the foul odor coming from your mouth. Not so picturesque after all.

If this sounds familiar, then you are not alone. In fact, 80 million people suffer from chronic bad breath! If you are a part of this statistic and want to prevent it from happening in the future, then read on for five tips from a dentist.

Tip #1: Prioritize Consistent Brushing

On early mornings and lazy evenings, it can be tempting to settle for a quick 30-second brush before moving to the next thing on your to-do list. However, a fast rinse with water will not effectively remove the germs that cling to your teeth and cause bad breath. Therefore, make sure to brush your teeth for two minutes at least twice a day!

Tip #2: Don’t Skip Flossing

Did you know that roughly 70% of Americans don’t floss daily? Plus, about 33% of Americans don’t floss at all! Therefore, it is safe to say that our flossing routine needs a serious upgrade. If neglected, food particles and plaque can lodge themselves between your teeth and cause tooth decay. From there, it can irritate your gums and even lead to gum infection, which can leave a foul taste in your mouth and smell to your breath. To prevent this from happening to you, make sure to floss daily!

Tip #3: Always Clean Your Tongue

All too often, the focus of your oral care routine is placed on your teeth and gums. While that is a crucial part of dental health, it is important not to skip over your tongue! After all, it takes up a large amount of real estate in your mouth and can easily become home to bacteria that cause bad breath. Therefore, make sure to use your toothbrush or a tongue scraper at the end of your oral hygiene routine to keep your tongue clean!

Tip #4: Avoid Garlic and Onions

If prioritizing your oral care isn’t improving your breath, then it may be time to look into your diet. To start, refrain from eating potent foods, like garlic and onions. Even after a thorough oral hygiene routine, the pungent aroma from these types of foods can linger. On the occasions that you do decide to indulge, make sure to keep a glass of water on hand to consistently sip on throughout your meal.

Tip #5: Visit Your Dentist for Bi-Yearly Appointments

Perhaps one of the most important tips is to prioritize your routine visits to the dentist. In addition to giving your teeth a professional clean, they can also provide you insight into the root of the issue. From there, they can share prevention tactics and treatment options available to keep your teeth, gums, and breath in tip-top shape!

About the Practice

At Purple Plum Dentistry, Dr. Anita Kianimanesh, Dr. Nima Moradi Majd, and the rest of the team are united by their mission to deliver world-class service that truly blows you away. That is why you can expect unique amenities, like relaxing spa music, neck pillows, aromatherapy bibs, and hot towels (to name a few!). Plus, their state-of-the-art technology and patient-centered approach to care can provide you with the high-quality dental services you deserve. If you would like to speak with their team about preventing bad breath or scheduling your bi-yearly appointment, visit their website or give them a call at 703-998-4244.