Our dental implants patients here at Craig Donn Dentistry in Cherry Hill, NJ often feel the desire to go out and be more social than they ever have before thanks to a new found boost in confidence their perfect smiles have given them. Because of this Dr. Donn and the rest of his staff are often approached by patients looking for the best ways to battle bad breath throughout the day. With this in mind, we have decided to put together a quick list comprising the most simple ways to fight bad breath during the day. We feel our dental implant patients, especially those that have financed their own treatment, might really appreciate these helpful hints geared toward social success.
Carry A Travel Size Bottle of Antibacterial, Alcohol-Free Mouthwash With You
Mouthwash is a great tool for fighting foul breath. When you swish with mouthwash it can do two things that are incredible tools in the ongoing battle with bad breath. Swishing vigorously can help loosen trapped food particles from in between spaces in your teeth. Those trapped food particles, if left to sit, would otherwise begin to accumulate bacteria, turn to plaque, and cause bad breath. That same bacteria can also potentially cause tooth decay and gum disease.
Mouthwash also has the ability to give your entire mouth a quick, overhaul flash cleaning. Bad breath causing bacteria do not just live on your teeth and gums. They actually thrive in all areas of your mouth, including your throat, cheeks, and tongue. Believe it or not, your tongue is actually where most of the bacteria causing bad breath are setting up shop in your mouth.
Think of the bacteria in your mouth as being the flames in a campfire. Now think of mouthwash as a bucket of water. When you rinse with bacteria it’s like tossing a bucket of water over the flames in a blazing campfire. It may not put the fire entirely out and there are going to be hot coals left over that, if given the chance, will set fire again. These coals are the reason it’s very important to practice good oral hygiene by brushing regularly.
However, in a pinch, mouthwash is a great tool for giving your mouth a brief chance to rest from the onslaught of continuous bacteria production that is happening throughout the day. It will also give your breath a minty scent that everyone enjoys.
Drink More Water
Now, this quick tip may not seem like it has any ability to affect a foe as mighty as bad breath but the truth could not be more opposite. Water facilitates the production of saliva in your mouth. It just so happens that saliva is your mouth’s natural defense against bacteria.
Saliva does something amazing to bacteria. It has the ability to keep portions of it suspended in a type of temporary liquid prison. When you swallow, those portions of trapped bacteria go down with the saliva you just swallowed. It is then sent down into your digestive tract, which happens to be much better suited for effectively handling bacteria than your teeth and gums are.
To make a long story short, a hydrated mouth is a mouth whose defenses are at their highest. That means a mouth that is ready to fend off bad breath causing bacteria to the best of its ability. So the next time you find yourself parched, skip the soda or juice and reach for some water. You’ll be surprised just how much it may help the state of your breath.
Floss!
We know, we know. You’ve been hearing this from dentists all your life. But there is a reason for it! Much of what we just blabbered on about regarding mouthwash can be restated for dental floss, only dental floss is much more effective at removing trapped food particles than mouthwash is.
Another great advantage of floss is that it can be used just about anywhere, at any time. While at work if you feel the need to freshen your breath, simply step into the nearest bathroom and give your teeth a quick flossing. This should especially be done after meals and snacks if you really want to throw a wrench in the works of bad breath. Removing those food particles before they have a chance to accumulate bacteria and cause bad breath is one of the keys in preventing it in the first place.
We hope these helpful hints give you a leg up in the battle on bad breath.
Until next time readers, keep smiling.