Having bad breath can have such an impact on your life, particularly your confidence. Sometimes bad breath is in our control, other times it’s not as a result of basic tooth problems, so we’re going to cover all bases to help you resolve the issue and regain your confidence, from visiting your dentist Leamington Spa based through to what you should be drinking!
Stop Smoking/Vaping
It is common for people who smoke or vape to have bad breath, as it can cause chemical compounds to develop in the mouth that combine with saliva and result in bad breath. Smoking and vaping can also impact other elements of your oral health, causing things like tooth decay and staining, so avoiding them altogether is best for your oral health as well as your overall health. There’s a reason why dentists ask whether you smoke or vape during your appointments!
Drink More Water
Another really simple thing you can do to improve your oral health and breathing is to drink more water. Often the cause of bad breath is when the foods and drinks we consume throughout the day combine with the natural bacteria in the mouth to produce a bad smell, especially between brushes. When you make the effort to drink more water throughout the day, this helps to wash away some of that residue from the mouth, so that you reduce the chance of experiencing bad breath between your brushes. Drinking water doesn’t replace the need to brush, floss and brush your tongue; however, it can help throughout the day when you make it a habit. It’s especially important to drink water after you’ve eaten or drunk something, to wash away any residue.
Drink Green Tea
Something else that you can drink is green tea, as studies have shown that green tea can help to remove microbial contamination from the mouth and, therefore, help to reduce bad breath. So, if you currently drink a lot of sugary drinks which can worsen your breath, then consider swapping one or two a day out for a green tea. You can get unflavored green tea or flavouring versions; just check that the green tea bags don’t contain any sweeteners, as this could counteract the positive effects. Matcha is also another good way to reduce bad breath, but again, try to avoid adding syrups or any sugary flavourings.
Visit Your Dentist
If you’re experiencing bad breath, the most important thing you should do is visit your dentist. Whilst this isn’t always the case, bad breath can be caused by an issue with the teeth themselves. It could be that your teeth are decayed, which is causing the smell; you may have a bacterial infection, it could be that your gums have an issue or if you don’t have a straight smile, there could be food and plaque buildup between the teeth that is causing the smell. There are so many different things that could be causing it from a dentist’s perspective, whether it’s something small like needing a visit to the hygienist and changing your oral health routine at home, or you may need some kind of dental treatment, like a root canal or a filling. Even if you don’t have any symptoms of an issue apart from the bad breath, visit your dentist Solihull based, Southport or Swansea, as it could be something you’d never thought of that is causing the issue.