Admit it, sure everyone has suffered from bad breath. It’s one of life’s most common annoyances. Bad breath can be very embarrassing, but there are some ways to prevent it.
BRUSH AND FLOSS OFTEN
Plaque, the sticky buildup on your teeth collects bacteria that causes bad breath. Trapped food also adds to the problem. Brush your teeth two times a day and floss at least once. If you’re concerned about your breath, do both a little more often. But don’t overdo things! If you brush too hard you can wear down your teeth, making them vulnerable to decay.
SCRAPE YOUR TONGUE
The coating that normally forms on your tongue can be a host for smelly bacteria. To get rid of them, gently brush your tongue with a toothbrush. If your brush is too big to comfortably reach the back of your tongue, try a scraper. They’re designed specifically to apply even pressure across the surface of the tongue area. This removes bacteria, food debris and dead cells that brushing alone can’t take care of.
SKIP SUGAR MINTS AND CHEW GUM INSTEAD
The bacteria in your mouth love sugar! They use it to make acid. This wears down your teeth and causes bad breath. Chew sugarless gum instead. Gum stimulates saliva, which is the mouth’s natural defense mechanism against plaque acids, which cause tooth decay and bad breath.
AVOID STRONG SMELL FOOD
Onions and garlic are big offenders. But brushing after you eat them doesn’t help. The substances that cause their bad smells make their way into your bloodstream and travel to your lungs, where you breathe them out. The best way to stop the problem? Don’t eat them before you go out or see friends.
KICK THE TOBACCO HABIT
Besides causing cancer, smoking can damage your gums, stain your teeth and give you bad breath. Nicotine patches can help tame the urge. If you need a little help, make an appointment with your doctor to talk about some medications that can help you give up tobacco for good.
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