This three-part article series provides 9 tips for getting rid of halitosis (bad breath) and treating the root cause of it altogether.

There are people who are conscious about the quality of their breath and those who aren’t, say professionals in Sun City dentistry. Those who are tend to be better about looking after their teeth and gums and therefore, suffer less from chronic problems. So, what is bad breath? What causes it and more importantly, what can you do if you suspect you have it? In our previous article installment, Sun City dentistry experts discussed the two first important tips of keeping bad breath at bay: (1) regular and thorough brushing and flossing and (2) getting into the habit of using a tongue scraper. These will prevent the proliferation of bacteria in the oral cavity, which would otherwise cause a greater production of stinky sulfurous gasses.

In this article post, Sun City dentistry experts will discuss another three important tips one should follow in order to prevent bad breath.

Top Tips from Sun City Dentistry Experts on Combating Bad Breath, Continued

Sun City Dentistry Tip # 3: Avoid Pungent Foods that Cling to Your Breath

Bad breath isn’t always necessarily caused by poor oral hygiene, say Sun City dentistry professionals. There are a whole bunch of foods that can cause your breath to pong. This is because of one of four reasons (or a combination):

• Certain foods’ pungent-smelling juices stain your mouth, for example, onions and garlic.

• The volatile substances within certain foods, such as onions and alcohol, get into your bloodstream and are exhaled out through your lungs.

• Certain foods, especially alcohol, contain drying agents that cause ‘xerostomia’ or ‘dry mouth.’ Without saliva, bacteria are left to multiply unchecked, explain professionals in Sun City dentistry.

• Other foods are full of sugar that leads to a spike in bacterial activity in your mouth, for example, sweets and soft drinks.
  

You can successfully eliminate bad breath caused by bacteria simply by brushing and flossing your teeth, say Sun City dentistry experts. In the case of pungent-smelling foods that stain your mouth and get into your bloodstream, however, there are no instant solutions and you’ll just have to wait it out. So, if you plan on meeting up with a date and want to prevent bad breath caused by food, make sure you hold the onions and garlic!

Sun City Dentistry Tip # 4: Quit Smoking

Smoking cigars, cigarettes and pipes not only stains your teeth and damages the soft tissues in your mouth; it also causes ‘dry mouth.’ Your saliva is full of bacteria-busting enzymes that help to protect your teeth and gums, explain Sun City dentistry experts. Without it, your mouth is left far more vulnerable to bacterial decay and gum disease. If you’re a smoker, then it’s likely you have bad breath. If you want to beat bad breath (and all the diseases and cancers associated with smoking) then quit the habit, urge Sun City dentistry professionals.

Sun City Dentistry Tip # 5: Use an Anti-Bacterial Mouthwash

In addition to brushing, flossing and tongue-scraping, using an anti-bacterial mouthwash approved by the American Dental Association will really keep your mouth clean and smelling fresh. Use it after meals, snacks or a sugary beverage when you don’t have access to your toothbrush. Two things though, warn Sun City dentistry professionals:

1. Avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol; they dry out your mouth and you’ll find yourself with bad breath only 30 minutes after using them.

2. Never use mouthwash as an alternative to brushing, stress Sun City dentistry experts. It’s not meant to replace brushing, but rather as a compliment.

Stay Tuned for More Sun City Dentistry Advice

For more bad breath busting advice from Sun City dentist, stay tuned for the third and final installment of this three-part article series.