How can I permanently get rid of bad breath?
Getting rid of bad breath permanently can be achieved once the cause of bad breath has been identified. Halitosis and oral malodour are both commonly used terms for bad breath, and bad breath is extremely common - up to 50% of people will experience persistently bad breath in their lifetime. There are many causes of halitosis, from diet and smoking to poor oral hygiene and lack of good oral health education. Prevention of bad breath is key and, in mild cases, bad breath can be treated at home with prescriptive oral care solutions and a good oral care routine. Long-term, persistent halitosis can be a sign of more serious oral health issues, and in these instances, only a dentist can get rid of bad breath permanently. To get rid of bad breath permanently, the cause must be addressed.
Bad Breath Treatment
Good Oral Hygiene
When getting rid of bad breath permanently, the first step should always be good oral care and oral hygiene. Poor oral hygiene is one of the main causes of mild and temporary halitosis and, with the right oral care routine, it can easily be alleviated and gotten rid of permanently. Brushing teeth and gums twice daily for 2 minutes each time is essential in ensuring that odour-causing bacteria are eliminated daily. A Sonic Toothbrush is the best tool to ensure teeth and gums are cleaned thoroughly, Using professionally designed sonic technology, our Sonic Toothbrush uses efficient, high-frequency brush movements to ensure both toothpaste and oxygen are delivered to even the most inaccessible parts of the mouth, eliminating and cleaning away bacteria. Flossing daily is also essential for bad breath treatment. We recommend using a Water Flosser which utilises high-frequency water pulsations to efficiently remove plaque, food particles, and bacteria, leaving teeth and gums exceptionally clean. Finally, using mouthwash after meals and in between brushing and flossing will help combat the bacteria that lead to halitosis. When gums and teeth are clean and healthy, bad breath can be managed and alleviated. Another important element of a good oral care routine is regular dental check-ups. We recommend visiting your dentist every 6 months.
Active Ingredients & Targeted Solutions
Bad breath treatment at home starts with good oral hygiene and continues with the solutions you use as part of your oral care routine. As dentists, we never recommend the use of toothpaste that doesn’t include active ingredients. Active ingredients work to protect tooth and gum health and will prevent and target halitosis-causing bacteria and plaque. Look for formulations that are clinically proven, clean, and include active ingredients like Chlorhexidine and Fluoride to get rid of bad breath permanently. It also helps to choose oral care solutions that are tailor-made to combat bad breath. The more prescriptive your oral care solutions are, the better results you will see in your oral health.
Avoid Smoking
Smoking is another major cause of halitosis. Not only is nicotine use one of the main causes of gum disease, but it also dries out the mouth which can affect the smell of breath. Though halitosis can be managed by maintaining a good oral care routine, only giving up smoking will get rid of oral malodour permanently.
Avoid Certain Foods & Drinks
Foods like garlic and onion, cheese, tinned fish and citrus fruits can cause bad breath. Due to the way the body digests these foods and the effects they have on saliva production, short-term, mild halitosis, and bad breath can occur. Alcohol and coffee are among the drinks that can cause bad breath, as they dehydrate the mouth and affect saliva production, too. Make sure you stay hydrated when eating or drinking these foods and drinks that cause bad breath and use mouthwash after meals to help get rid of bad breath permanently.
Seek Professional Advice and Treatment
If you are maintaining oral health with a good oral care routine, and follow the steps above but still experience persistent bad breath, you should seek advice and treatment from your dentist. In some cases, long-term or severe halitosis can be a sign of gum disease or tooth decay, both of which require professional treatment. Only through professional treatment for these oral care issues can you get rid of bad breath permanently,