Do you frequently experience bad breath?
If so, Laurel Smiles Dental Care has some suggestions to help you resolve this issue. First impressions are important, so we want to make sure that when you introduce yourself to someone new, they aren’t immediately questioning your oral hygiene. Here are our highly-trained doctors’ best tips on preventing halitosis, otherwise known as bad breath:
1. Brush and Floss Regularly
Brushing and flossing your teeth goes a long way in preventing bad breath. You should aim to brush your teeth after each meal, or at least twice a day. This prevents bacteria, food, and plaque from building up around your gum line and causing bad breath. Brushing twice a day with an antibacterial toothpaste, finding a good mouth rinse, and using a toothbrush with a tongue cleaner are the first lines of defense against bad breath.
2. Don’t forget to clean your tongue
Bacteria does not only build-up on your teeth but also on your tongue. Cleaning your tongue is a very important step toward achieving fresh breath. Pick a toothbrush that has a tongue cleaner on the back which makes it easier to clean your tongue. After brushing your upper and lower teeth, flip the toothbrush over to the tongue cleaner and place the tongue cleaner against your tongue and begin to gently scrub. After you have brushed your tongue, rinse the tongue brush off with warm water to remove any odor-causing bacteria.
3. See Your Dentist Regularly
Did you know that you should be scheduling regular appointments with your general dentist? We recommend visiting a professional dentist at least once every six months. When you receive a professional dental cleaning every six months, you are preventing plaque and tartar from building up in hard to reach areas. Your mouth is full of bacteria on a daily basis, and sometimes it is difficult to properly clean it each day. Even our most thorough oral hygiene patients benefit from a professional dental cleaning. Additionally, when plaque hardens to tartar, there is nothing you can do at home to remove it. It must be professionally removed.
As your trusted dentist in Laurel, MD, we look forward to helping you prevent bad breath. Schedule an appointment with our compassionate doctors today.