How to Prevent Bad Breath

About 85% of people with persistant bad breath may have a condition called halitosis. In most cases the halitosis originates from the gums and tongue. The odor is caused by bacteria from food particles or poor oral hygiene. This causes a sulfur compound that causes the odor.

So how do we prevent this from happening to us? First we must visit the dentist on a regular basis. Twice a year visits are recommended. This is the best way to maintain good oral health. We need to brush our teeth at least twice a day. The best thing to do is brush after you eat something ~but of course in our busy world that isn't always possible. So let's try to brush at least in the morning and before bedtime!

Now I am going to tell you something you need to do daily~Floss. Yes, I know, you try to do it often. But we get lazy and let that part of our routine slide by. We go to the dentist and he (or she) asks us if we are flossing. If you are like me, we lie. Yes, I had good intentions but......well I see you are shaking your head and agreeing with me. It's just one more step and it only takes a few minutes. Flossing will remove the food and debris from between the teeth. Even a good toothbrush can't get to those spaces. There are a few different kinds of flosses available. There are dental flossers, dental floss and floss threaders. I personally like the dental flossers. It's less work and you don't have to wind the floss around your fingers. When you floss make sure to gently insert the floss between your teeth. Move the floss up and down into the spaces between the gum and teeth moving twoards the gumline. Floss on both sides of your tooth. If you have a tooth missing next to another tooth, make sure you still do both sides.

Mouth wash is a good step if you use one like Listerine . Listerine mouthwash effectively kills oral bacteria, reduces buildup of plaque, and helps prevent gingivitis. It was marketed as a mouthwash in 1914 . Today it is a top selling brand in the United States and other markets. It has achieved the approval of the American Dental Association.

Do you brush your tongue? If not you need to start now. Brushing your tongue will remove bacteria and debris that collect there. You can find some manual toothbrushes now that have a special back on the head of the brush specifically for brushing your tongue.

If you smoke, and I'm not judging you, you need to quit. Smoking interferes with your saliva flow and function. Saliva is important for cleaning the lining of the mouth and teeth and protecting teeth from decay. Many studies show that smokers tend to have more tooth decay than non-smokers. Tobacco dries out your mouth and that will cause an unpleasant smell.

There are many dental products available to consumers today to make brushing and flossing easier. You don't have to spend alot of money on fancy toothbrushes or special gadgets. We just have to take the time to brush, floss and rinse. How hard it that? Oh, yes, and visit the dentist twice a year. I know some of you don't like that visit, but it has to be done. Who knows, maybe you can get some free samples of products from the dentist! Smile :)