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Good oral hygiene helps prevent cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems. Practicing good oral hygiene also helps to keep your smile looking bright and beautiful. If you are someone with bad breath, it may indicate a lack of proper oral hygiene. Here are a few tips that can help!

Brush your teeth twice daily

In order to get rid of bad breath, it’s important to brush and floss regularly. Ideally, patients should brush their teeth after every meal, but at the very least, they should brush twice a day – once in the morning and once before bed. By taking the time to brush your teeth properly, you can prevent chronic bad breath as well as more serious oral health issues.

Floss at least once a day

Your teeth can quickly trap food particles while you eat. Brushing alone cannot reach into the depths of the gum line where plaque and food debris hide. That’s why flossing is also essential for achieving good oral health because it reaches these areas between teeth that brushing can’t. Make sure to floss well between each tooth to get rid of any residual food particles that brushing might have missed. This is especially important for patients who are using braces or have permanent retainers. Plaque and food can accumulate in these areas and lead to cavities, gum disease, and other oral problems. It’s especially important to floss before bed, so any trapped food and bacterial acids don’t sit in your mouth overnight and cause damage. Double-check your technique to avoid damaging your gums too!

Adjust your diet

Reduce the amount of sugar in your diet. When bacteria break down sweets in the mouth, they produce waste products that smell bad. Try to limit sugary foods and drinks and rinse your mouth with water afterward. 

Avoid smoking or using tobacco products. 

These habits not only cause staining and yellowing of teeth but can lead to gum disease as well. Smoking also causes chronic dry mouth, which can increase the risk of tooth decay and bad breath. 

Visit our dentist regularly 

Schedule your dental visits regularly for preventive care that includes professional cleanings and examinations. We can diagnose cavities or other decay and treat it before it becomes a larger issue. If it’s been a while since your last appointment, make an appointment today. We recommend coming in twice each year for optimal dental health.

To schedule your next checkup and cleaning, call us. We’re always welcoming new patients and would be happy to see your smile soon!