Ideas For Fending Off Bad Breath

by | Aug 16, 2012 | Health Care

If you or someone you know suffers from bad breath, you may want to consider seeking out the services of a dentist in West Covina. In the meantime, there are several things that you can do to keep the bad breath at bay and be able to more fully appreciate the company of family and friends.

First, brush and floss your teeth regularly. Because plaque builds up easily on teeth and causes stinky breath, it is important to also floss your teeth every time you brush in order to keep plaque from hiding in the cracks and shadows between teeth. You should brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day, but if you are worried about bad breath, dentists recommend doing this more often.

However, you will want to remember that brushing your teeth too vigorously or frequently can wear away the protective enamel on your teeth. In order to really get at the plaque and bacterial buildup in your mouth, a dentist in West Covina may recommend that you brush your tongue, as the filmy coating on your tongue stores the bacteria that causes bad breath.

Although it may seem obvious, if you are worried about bad breath, avoid eating food that is known to cause it, such as foods that contain onions and/or garlic. What you may not know, however, is that brushing your teeth after eating these foods rarely helps, as the substances that onions and garlic contain actually are absorbed into your blood stream, and travel to your lungs. So ultimately, when you eat onions and garlic, you are breathing these substances out of your lungs rather than just having the substances in your mouth. The only way to keep these foods from making your breath smell foul is to avoid eating them entirely.

In addition to onions and garlic, a dentist in West Covina will caution patients to avoid smoking and eating sugary foods. Even a breath mint after dinner can worsen bad breath because of its sugar content. If you really want to use something after a meal to freshen your breath and kill the bacteria that causes bad breath, try rinsing your mouth out with mouthwash. Even something as simple as gargling fresh water can help to decrease bad breath if you are out with friends and do not have mouthwash readily available.

There are many things that a person can do in order to avoid having bad breath. Some of these things include brushing and flossing more often, avoiding certain foods such as onions, garlic, and sugary candy. A dentist in West Covina may be able to recommend further options if you are concerned about bad breath.

Dentist in West Covina – West Covina based Dentist Dr. S.M. Bhatt & his team offers latest cosmetic & general dentistry services including teeth whitening, crowns, fillings, bridges, root canals & veneers to both childrens & adults.

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