09 Jul How to Fight Bad Breath: Five Tips from a Dental Hygienist
Bad breath can be a source of anxiety for many people. However, fighting bad breath is often a little more involved than picking the right type of gum or finding the perfect toothpaste. Halitosis, or chronic bad breath, can have several root causes.
It could be anything from bad habits (like not brushing your teeth) to a side effect of medications. To get rid of bad breath, you might just need to see a dentist. And you may also need to commit to a few lifestyle changes or check in on your general health.
Here are a few tips from a dental hygienist to get you started.
Five Ways to Get Rid of Stinky Breath
1: Stay Hydrated
Being hydrated is the best way to combat bad breath. This is for several reasons.
- Drinking water washes away food debris and bacteria
- Water dilutes the acids that wear away tooth enamel, causing cavities and bad smells
- Good hydration helps keep up saliva production and fights dry mouth.
2: Polish Up Your Oral Health Routine
Brushing and flossing help remove bacteria, plaque, and other nasties that attack your teeth and gums and cause bad breath.
A basic oral care routine looks like this:
- Brushing your teeth with a soft-bristled brush twice a day
- Flossing once a day
- Using a mouthwash once a day
If this is already your standard routine, you might need to add a few extra steps:
- Switch to an electric toothbrush or Waterpik
- Brush your tongue
- Use mouthwash and brush 30 minutes after lunch
- Choose products with fluoride. Prescott, Arizona, does not add fluoride to their drinking water, so adding it in other ways can help maintain enamel strength and fight odor-causing decay.
3: Watch What You Eat
Healthy eating, especially crunchy veggies and foods high in calcium, can help you maintain your oral health. Fresh vegetables and fruits contain minerals and vitamins that supply you with the right nutrients to keep your teeth strong and your body healthy. But your diet can also affect your breath in surprising ways. Some foods, like garlic and onions, can cause bad breath due to the way your body processes the sulphur compounds.
4: Check In On Your Overall Health
Medications, poor mental health, and even some diseases can change the way your breath smells. Problems like kidney disease or diabetes can make your breath smell or even cause tooth decay. Poor mental health has been linked to dental problems, which can cause bad odors. And the way your body breaks down the medication can foul your breath or cause dry mouth.
5: Quit Tobacco
Quitting tobacco products can be very difficult. Due to the way nicotine affects your brain, it is considered one of the hardest substances to quit. However, tobacco products, especially those that are chewed or smoked, can cause severe bad breath. While quitting can be difficult, fresher breath is not the only benefit. You can also reduce your risk of gum disease, stains, and tooth loss.
If Nothing Is Working, See a Dentist
Does your breath still smell even though you brush your teeth faithfully and don’t eat garlic? You might need to visit your dentist. While you can resolve many problems with bad breath on your own, we can help with the rest. Tooth decay can cause bad breath, but so can plaque and tartar buildup. After a thorough cleaning, your smile will be bright and your breath will be fresh again!
If you are looking for exceptional dental care in the Prescott area, contact Hicks Dental Group. We offer the best in innovative dental care. Our team of dentists, hygienists, and support staff is here to help you get the smile of your dreams.
If you are struggling with bad breath, don’t wait—contact us today for an appointment.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (7/8/25). Photo by krakenimages on Unsplash.