Four Ways to Fight a Foul Mouth

Bad breath, medically known as halitosis, is a common condition that can affect people of all ages.  Bad breath happens when bacteria build up and produce noxious gases, giving our mouths a foul odor.  The use of mouth sprays and mints only cover up these gases. There are four easy ways to avoid this persistent problem and kick those mints to the curb.

Tongue Scraper

Your tongue is a soft cushy bed for bacteria.  Tongue scrapers are a great way to wake up that bacteria and kick them out of bed. Use a tongue scraper after every meal to ensure there are no left overs still hanging around.  The less leftover food particles on our tongues mean less fuel for bacteria growth.  The advent of disposable tongue scrapers makes this an easy and convenient way to fight bad breath.  Gently scrape from the back of your tongue to the tip and throw away.


It may be common knowledge that we should brush our teeth twice a day and floss daily to keep our teeth clean, but many people forget that your gums need cleaning, too.  One common mistake is only brushing our teeth and forgetting about our gums.  Underneath the gum line is where bacteria make camp for a long visit. As recommended by the AAPD, brushing your teeth and gums for 2 minutes twice a day will keep your breath crisp and keep your mouth healthy.

Watch What You Eat

What we put in our mouths can make a huge difference in the outcome of our breath.  Sugars from soda, candy and desserts feed the bacteria that give our breath its distinct smell.  Try avoiding sugary drinks and candies as much as possible and replacing them with sugar-free gum.  This increases the natural saliva flow in our mouths, which is a natural mouth cleanser.

Regular cleanings

That feeling of a completely clean mouth cannot be matched at any home cleaning.  Staying on top of your oral hygiene makes a big difference for mouth odor but there is only so much we can do at home.  Dentists and professional dental hygienists know all the nooks and crannies that bacteria like to hide in.    Going to your regular dental appointments, every six months, will ensure that any spots that you cannot take care of in your daily cleaning regiment are properly tended to.

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