Having bad breath or halitosis can be embarrassing. It can affect everything from your relationships to your career. Thankfully, you don't have to resign yourself to stinky breath, and there are a few simple steps you can take to get rid of it.

Brush your teeth twice daily

Choose a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush for at least two minutes about twice per day. Begin by brushing the outside of your teeth using a circular motion. Next, tilt your toothbrush vertically against the biting surface of your teeth and use short back-and-forth motions to reach the front surfaces of your teeth. Finally, clean the insides of your teeth using gentle up-and-down strokes. Don't forget to also brush your tongue, which can help remove bacteria and improve your breath!

You can also improve your breath with mouthwash. Choose a mouthwash that contains fluoride to kill bacteria and freshen your breath at the same time. Just make sure to swish it around your mouth for at least a full minute before spitting it out!

Floss at least once a day

Simply flossing once daily is all you need to do to remove food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line that a toothbrush can't reach. Your dentist will be able to show you the best method to floss properly. If needed, your dentist can also show you how to use a water flosser that may make it easier for you to clean hard-to-reach places.

Brush your tongue

The tongue is a breeding ground for bacteria. When you don't brush your tongue, you won't be able to fully clean your mouth. Bacteria that live on the soft tissues of your tongue can make their way into your bloodstream and circulate throughout your body. This can then lead to a number of serious health problems. Some studies even indicate that having poor oral hygiene habits can increase your risk of cancer. So, be sure to brush your tongue to get it completely clean. If using a regular toothbrush is difficult, you can use a tongue scraper instead.

Clean dentures or dental appliances

Take good care of your dentures or dental appliances, and practice this every day to keep your breath smelling fresh and clean. Make sure you clean them professionally at the dental office if you wear them, and remember to brush them well every night with a soft-bristled toothbrush before you go to sleep to remove any food particles that build up during the day! Also, be sure to rinse your mouth out after you eat so you don't get stuck in a harmful cycle of bacteria growing in your mouth.

Avoid dry mouth

A dry mouth often occurs as a side effect of medications. It can also be caused by smoking and certain medical conditions such as diabetes. Saliva plays an essential role in keeping the mouth clean, removing plaque, reducing tooth decay, and managing the bacteria in the mouth. Without saliva, bad breath will persist. It's important to talk to your dentist to identify the cause of your dry mouth and treat it accordingly. If left untreated, dry mouth can exacerbate gum disease and lead to other types of oral infections and bad breath.

Adjust your diet

Limit sugary and acidic foods and drinks. Sugary foods and beverages feed bad bacteria in the mouth and promote tooth decay. Acidic foods can change the pH of your mouth to favor the growth of acid-loving bacteria. Instead of eating these foods, choose foods that are healthy for your gums, such as vegetables, fruits, lean meats, and water-rich foods, such as unsweetened yogurt. These foods will help prevent bad breath, gum disease, and other oral problems.

Reduce your intake of alcohol and tobacco, as these products can also dry out the mouth, exposing you to unpleasant odors. Smoking is also bad for your oral health because it makes your breath smell and puts you at risk of developing oral cancer. Talk to your dentist about quitting smoking or using tobacco products so you can prevent this problem and improve your smile.

Schedule regular dental checkups

To know how to achieve good oral health, you need to schedule regular dental checkups with your dentist. By scheduling appointments every six months for a routine checkup and professional cleaning, you can prevent problems before they occur and keep your mouth healthy. During your dental checkups, we'll ensure your teeth are clean so you can eliminate bad breath. 

If you are interested in learning more about our dental cleaning services, visit our clinic at Winning Smiles Family Dentistry, 7801 Old Branch Ave #206, Clinton, MD 20735. For appointments, call us at (301) 868-2004. We will be happy to guide you further.