Fresh Breath Isn’t Just for Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is only a week away, and many people will be planning a special night with their honey and have perhaps invested in a new outfit and chocolates and flowers. However, there is one accessory that isn’t welcome at the party, and that is bad breath. While some people will worry more about their breath on Valentine’s Day, we think you should be able to enjoy fresh breath year-round.

What Causes Bad Breath?
There are lots of reasons why you may have bad breath and often the reason is temporary and harmless, for example, eating certain foods. However, other reasons may be a cause for concern including dry mouth, tooth decay and gum disease, poor oral hygiene and medical conditions. We have some easy tips to ensure your breath remains sweet no matter the day.

How to Maintain Sweet Breath Year-Round
Most of these tips are purely commonsense, as often bad breath is the result of bacterial buildup because of poor oral hygiene in Whitby.

Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Regular oral care is essential for removing bacteria that can cause bad breath and should include brushing your teeth at least twice every day and flossing once-a-day. Look for toothpaste and other oral care products with the Canadian Dental Association seal of approval. These are products that have been independently evaluated and specific oral health claims made by the manufacturer are validated. Otherwise, ask our dentist in Oshawa for help and advice during your next dental appointment.

Don’t Forget to Clean Your Tongue
It’s easy to overlook cleaning your tongue, but it can harbour harmful and unpleasant smelling bacteria. If you stick your tongue out, it could well have a coating of a white or brown substance that you can gently remove with your toothbrush or a tongue scraper.

Avoid Smelly Foods
Watch what you eat if you would like fresh breath, and well-known culprits include garlic and onions. Although brushing your teeth after eating these foods will temporarily freshen your breath, the odour will remain on your breath until these foods leave your body. When these foods are digested, the products enter your bloodstream and eventually are breathed out through your lungs. If you do want to eat something smelly, make sure you share it with those close to you.

Keep Well Hydrated
Make sure you drink plenty of water so your body can make enough saliva to keep your mouth moist and fresh. During the winter months, the drier air indoors can easily lead to dehydration. If you do have dry mouth, a condition called xerostomia, you are more at risk of suffering from bad breath because the drier conditions in your mouth make it easier for bacteria to thrive. We can help you manage this condition more easily and will suggest a treatment plan to protect your dental health. Also, many people find it helpful to use artificial saliva or to chew sugar-free gum which helps to stimulate saliva flow.

Clean Dental Appliances Thoroughly
If you have any removable dental appliances, including aligners or retainers, night guards or dentures, make sure you clean them thoroughly. It’s very easy for bacteria to become trapped in these appliances, causing nasty breath.

Visit Us Regularly
Finally, don’t forget to visit us here at Margolian Dentistry for regular checkups and cleanings, and especially if you are concerned about your breath. We can detect any untreated dental diseases in Ajax that may be causing bad breath. If your mouth is healthy and we can’t find any reason, we will suggest you visit your GP. Sometimes bad breath can be caused by an undiagnosed medical problem, so it’s important to find out why your breath might be less than sweet.

Share this post

Share on facebook
Share on google
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Share on pinterest
Share on print
Share on email

READY FOR THE SMILE OF YOUR DREAMS?

Contact Our Team Today!