When you don’t have fresh breath, it can lead to being uncomfortable when you’re around people, talking in close quarters, and a lot of other self-esteem issues. For some people, it seems that no matter what you try, you just can’t seem to get rid of that bad breath.
It’s called halitosis and it’s a serious problem for millions of Canadians. Halitosis is most commonly the result of bacteria that grows in the mouth. The more bacteria that you have growing in your mouth, the harsher your breath will tend to be. As a result, you should focus on some of the following three things to help you combat your bad breath, and that can also have a direct impact on your oral health.
Floss
The one thing that most people tend to neglect when it comes to their oral care is flossing. It is estimated that less than one-quarter of Canadians actually floss regularly.
This is a startling statistic and it also highlights one of the common problems that people have with their breath. Flossing after brushing is important because a toothbrush simply can’t get between the teeth and that’s where most of the residual food gets caught.
When you don’t floss, that becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, which causes bad breath. Floss every day, twice a day, after you brush your teeth for at least two minutes per brushing.
Brush Your Tongue
The tongue can harbor a lot of bacteria. Brushing your tongue when you brush your teeth can help you expel and remove some of the food particles and bacteria that can cause bad breath.
Make sure that you use a soft bristle brush and only brush your tongue for a few seconds. Too hard or too long and you can end up with some taste issues.
Use Mouthwash
Once you finish brushing your teeth and flossing, rinse out and spit, removing much of the particles that remain in your mouth, and then rinse with mouthwash. Using an anti-bacterial mouthwash is best.
When you do these things, you’ll begin to notice that your breath is no longer harsh and foul and people are more comfortable talking to you, especially in close quarters.