Most people can appreciate fresh breath from their own mouths as well as from those around them. Unfortunately, we all experience bad breath occasionally, usually upon waking in the morning. While brushing and flossing your teeth can typically rid your mouth of morning breath, sometimes the offensive odor can linger throughout the day, preventing you from interacting with others as confidently as you normally would. To help you prevent such embarrassment, Lafayette dentist, Dr. Michael Young, presents these tips for keeping your breath fresh throughout the day.
Make Your Mouth More Pleasant
- Brush, floss…and scrape—You may already know that brushing and flossing your teeth is an essential ritual for preventing and eliminating bad breath. For optimal results, use your toothbrush, or preferably a tongue scraper, to clean the surface of your tongue, where many bad breath-causing bacteria tend to reside.
- Eat breakfast—Saliva is one of your mouth’s natural defenses and acts a rinse to wash away food particles and bacteria. When you sleep, your saliva production is drastically reduced, allowing bacteria to gather in force. Eating a well-balanced breakfast before brushing and flossing in the morning can stimulate your saliva flow and help rid your mouth of foul-smelling germs.
- Avoid the following—Some bad breath causes are more obvious than microscopic germs. Avoid strong foods like onions and garlic, which can taint your breath for hours after your meal. Also, refrain from habits such as smoking and/or chewing tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption.
- Visit your dentist—Dental diseases like tooth decay and gum disease can also cause bad breath. Be sure to visit your dentist at least once every six months for a dental checkup and cleaning to improve your chances of detecting and treating dental diseases early.
A Fresher, Healthier Mouth with Gainesville Dentist
If you live in the 70508 area and would like to learn more about keeping your breath fresh and maintaining your oral health, schedule an appointment with Lafayette dentist, contact Dr. Young at (337) 237-6453. Located in the 70508 area, we proudly serve patients from Lafayette and all surrounding communities.
