If you’re concerned about your breath, it could be directly linked to your oral care. If you don’t brush your teeth, floss, and rinse with mouthwash at least twice a day, morning and night, it can lead to halitosis, more commonly referred to as bad breath.

That can have a direct impact on the rest your life, including your self-confidence and willingness to be close to other people. Even if you started brushing your teeth, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash recently, there could be plaque buildup, gingivitis, and other problems that developed over time that you simply can’t solve with vigorous brushing right now.

Take these following three steps and you should be experiencing fresher breath relatively soon.

Step #1: Begin brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash twice a day.

It’s best to do this after every meal, but that’s not always practical. At the bare minimum, do this routine every morning when you wake up and just before you go to sleep. Make sure you brush for at least two minutes and rinse with mouthwash for one full minute.

Step #2: Make an appointment with your dentist.

If you haven’t been to the dentist in many years, it’s well past time to go. Most dentists will be able to accommodate you for a regular cleaning and checkup that same week. That regular cleaning can help spot any issues that have developed since your last dental visit.

Step #3: Avoid acidic foods.

Highly acidic foods and even extremely spicy foods can actually be causing damage to your mouth and exacerbating the bad breath you experience. If you avoid these acidic foods, it will help to reduce the bad breath you have been experiencing lately. If you have any questions about halitosis or the condition of your teeth, make sure you absolutely make an appointment and see your dentist as soon as possible.