Simple adjustments can lead to improved oral hygiene, according bacteriologist Dr. Harold Katz.
Brushing regularly is a plusDr. Katz’s offersthe following suggestions to stop bad breath, especially before you go out on a Valentine’s Day date:
Watch what you eat-Stay away from sweets and foods that cause bad breath. If you love chocolate, switch to dark chocolate – it contains much less sugar and much less dairy proteins.
Watch what you drink- Alcohol is chemically a drying agent. All alcoholic beverages make the mouth dry. Many leading mouthwashes contain more alcohol than beer or wine. Avoid alcohol-based mouthwash and look for those powered by oxygen. If you’re going to have an alcohol beverage, sip some water afterwards to inhibit the drying effect.
Brush regularly-Dr. Katz suggests brushing your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and a soft nylon bristled brush. The fluoride is important to remineralize damaged tooth enamel. Medium and hard bristled brushes will destroy tooth enamel.
“An old, worn out toothbrush cannot clean your teeth well and the toothbrush could also be harboring bacteria,” Dr. Katz says.
“Because bad breath-causing bacteria breed below the surface of the tongue, a gentle brush on the surface of the tongue helps keep your breath fresh.”
Don’t forget to floss-“Floss your teeth at least once each day,” Dr. Katz says. “Flossing properly removes plaque and food particles from between the teeth that could otherwise act as a fuel source for bad breath.”
Drink Enough Water-Avoid dry mouth that increases bad breath.
“Saliva is nature’s way of cleaning the mouth,” Dr. Katz says. “If you have dry mouth, food particles and bacteria are not being washed away as they should be. This can cause bad breath. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Keep in mind that coffee, with or without caffeine, can contribute to dry mouth.”
Be careful with so-called “breath mints”-Many are full of sugar and won’t cure the real reason you have bad breath.
