Having bad breath is a bit like having gum stuck in your hair … it can be super tricky to get rid of.
But fear not!
In honor of National Dental Hygiene Month, we’ll help you get out of this sticky situation, fast. Just follow these 8 easy ways to stop bad breath.
#1: Don’t Skip Meals
Whether it’s from our hectic schedules or wanting to look extra svelte in our Halloween costumes, we’re all guilty of skipping meals from time to time. But doing this can “reek” havoc on our breath.
When we eat, we increase our saliva production. This is the body’s natural defense against bad breath. (Besides, do any of us really want to walk around feeling hangry?)
#2: Go Cold Turkey … With Your Boozy Mouthwash
Here’s a stinky little secret mainstream mouthwash companies don’t want you to get wind of: the alcohol in mouthwash makes your breath EVEN WORSE post-swish.
Wait, what?
It’s true! Alcohol is a drying agent, and as the mouth dries out shortly after swishing, more bad breath molecules form.
The solution? Oxyfresh alcohol-free mouthwashes. Take your pick from 5 refreshing mouthwash formulas guaranteed to fight bad breath for 6 hours at a time.
#3: Ditch the Low-Carb Diet
If you’re trying a very low-carb (ketogenic) diet, beware of persistent bad breath. On a ketogenic diet, the body burns fat for energy rather than carbs. As ketones form during this process, they get into the saliva, giving the breath a bad smell, oftentimes with fruity undertones … and not in a good way!
#4: Get Your Cavities Filled
Been putting off getting your cavities filled? Those little pockets of decay can be stinky all on their own. Worse, is when food gets trapped inside of them. If you can’t get those particles out with a toothbrush, they start to break down and give you bad breath.
Prone to cavities? Swish with Oxyfresh alcohol-free Cavity Protection Fluoride Mouthwash. Fights bad breath AND cavities … what an awesome combo!
#5: Step Away from the Sports Beverages
We all know that alcohol, cola and coffee won’t do our breath any favors. But what about those energy and sports drinks we love to chug for a quick pick-me-up?
The sugars and proteins in these drinks can kick the production of bad breath molecules into overdrive.
To add insult to injury, their acid content can dull the color of your teeth by eroding the enamel. Your best drink of choice for a healthy mouth and fresh breath? You guessed it – good old-fashioned water.
#6: Take Care of Your Tongue to Prevent Bad Breath
Mom always told you it wasn’t polite to stick out your tongue, but in this case, an exception can and should be made.
The tongue is the top spot in the mouth for bad breath molecules to hang out and multiply. Not to disrespect the toothbrush, but it can only do so much to fight bad breath.
A Tongue Cleaner removes 75% more odor-causing bacteria versus brushing. A Tongue Cleaner is easy to use, inexpensive, and it takes mere seconds to freshen the breath.
Add a Tongue Cleaner to your oral hygiene routine, starting now during National Dental Hygiene Month, and you’ll love the difference in the freshness of your breath.
#7: Combat Post-Nasal Drip
Post-nasal drip, aka mucus, aka not great dinner table conversation. But it must be said. This pesky problem brought on by colds and allergies causes bacteria to build up in the throat and tongue, giving you bad breath and a foul taste in the mouth.
Worse, many over-the-counter allergy and cold meds cause dry mouth, a leading cause of bad breath. What you can do: gargle with salt water or use a saline nasal spray.
#8: Healthy Gums = Fresh Breath
Does brushing technique really matter when it comes to healthy gums and bad breath prevention? Absolutely, and it’s a favorite focus in the dental community during National Dental Hygiene Month.
For proper brushing technique, hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and gently brush in short strokes (about the width of one tooth).
Be sure to get the outer, inner and chewing surfaces of the teeth.
You’ll want to brush twice a day, as well as floss for healthy gums and fresh breath. While this can be a very heated debate, it really doesn’t matter if you brush or floss first, so long as you’re doing it!
Tooth Brushing Tips:
- Use a soft or extra soft toothbrush to protect your enamel and preserve your white smile.
- Replace your toothbrush as soon as you see the bristles jutting out every which way. When this happens, they lose their cleaning power.
- Massage the gums as you brush instead of using a harsh scrubbing motion. Too-tough tooth brushing (say that 10 times fast) strips the enamel and can cause gum irritation.
- Wait 30 minutes after consuming acidic food or drink (think coffee, tea, citrus fruits) before brushing. Swish with water instead.
Stop Bad Breath for Good with Oxyfresh
There’s no time like the present to stop bad breath and rock a healthier smile. So get inspired this National Dental Hygiene Month and partner with the pioneer in the alcohol-free mouthwash movement: Oxyfresh.com
You’ll love the difference these dental products will make in your life, every single day.
