Seven Secrets to Stopping Bad Breath in its Tracks

There are few things in life more embarrassing than going through your day with the knowledge that your breath is nearly as dangerous as dragon’s fire. Regular and persistent bad breath is so terrible that we even have a name for it: chronic halitosis. If you suffer from its effects, however, you can at least take some small measure of comfort from knowing that you’re not alone. In fact, tens of millions of people just like you struggle with this condition each and every day. The good news, though, is that there are steps you can take to address the problem. In fact, these seven secret tips can help you in your battle against bad breath.

1. Keep brushing! Yes, this is not really a secret – or shouldn’t be, but you might be surprised to learn that vast numbers of people simply ignore the official recommendations when it comes to brushing twice a day for two or three minutes at a time. If you’re one of the many millions who lack brushing discipline, then there’s no reason to be surprised that all those bacteria seem to feel so comfortable in your mouth.
2. Given that we just reminded you to brush more consistently, chances are that you were anticipating the floss instructions while you were still reading the prior section, right? Flossing removes that food debris that bacteria find so terribly attractive, so floss daily.
3. Mouth Rinse. Many people seem to be torn on the subject of mouth rinses, but they’re usually thinking about those chemical rinses. Try a natural peppermint oil or green tea rinse instead. One study indicates that the tea actually slows bacterial growth!
4. Brush your tongue. Is the process uncomfortable sometimes? Absolutely. Is it necessary to prevent residue from building up and contributing to those rotten odors? Let’s put it this way: brush your tongue!
5. Stimulate your saliva. If you have to eat healthy sugarless candy, fresh carrots, or other treats to get that saliva flowing, do it. Saliva is your mouth’s natural cleanser, and can wash away much of that bad breath-causing bacteria.
6. Get some chlorophyll in your diet. Eat parsley after a meal to get that natural breath-freshening benefit that you need. Does it work? Let’s put it this way: have you ever encountered a plant with bad breath? Case closed.
7. Cut back on those bad habits. Smoking, excessive alcohol use, and incessant candy consumption can all contribute to bad breath. Cut back on those activities, or – better yet – quit them altogether.

Finally, stop by and see us. At Ebenezer Dental, we understand how challenging it can be to stop chronic halitosis, and we work hard to help our patients identify the root causes of their bad breath and find real solutions that work. In many instances, there may even be an oral health issue involved that required our intervention. Give us a call today to discover how the best dentist in midtown Manhattan can help you overcome your chronic bad breath concerns.