Is Mouthwash a Cure for Bad Breath?

You wish. If the cure for bad breath was as simple as swishing around some artificially sweetened, antiseptic-based oral rinse, then everyone would have minty-fresh breath. Bad breath can be caused by a number of factors, and mouthwash products only offer a temporary fix. Here are five ways to get fresher breath that lasts.

#1 Floss Your Teeth

If you visit any reputable Northbrook dentist, he or she will tell you that flossing your teeth after meals are key to keeping your teeth and gums healthy. A side benefit of flossing is better-smelling breath. Flossing removes food particles between teeth that can feed bad bacteria. Overproduction of bad bacteria causes smelly breath.

#2 Keep Hydrated

A dry mouth causes bacteria to grow abundantly in your mouth. Popular mouthwash products contain alcohol, which dries out the mouth more than usual. The solution to bad breath that’s caused by dry mouth is to drink more water and use an all-natural mouth rinse that doesn’t contain alcohol.

#3 Eat a Healthy Diet

A rotting tooth or a gum infection can also be the source of bad breath. Your dentist in Northbrook will tell you that these conditions don’t happen by accident. They are usually caused by dietary failures that weaken teeth and gums. By eating a healthy diet that’s full of mineral-rich produce and shunning sugary junk foods, you can avoid bad breath that’s caused by decay and infections.

#4 Brush Your Tongue

Bacteria spores love the inside of your mouth. They are particularly attracted to your tongue. When you brush your tongue, you remove much of the bad bacteria in your mouth that cause bad breath.

#5 Take Oral Hygiene to the Next Level With Professional Cleanings

No matter how vigilant that you are about oral care, you’ll still want to treat your mouth to a deep cleaning every six months. At your neighborhood Northbrook dental practice, your dental hygienist will remove months of plaque and tartar build-up that contributes to sour breath.

Conclusion

While some cases of bad breath are caused by eating aromatic foods such as garlic, leeks, or onions, the root cause of most cases of halitosis is bacteria. Mouthwash plays a role in general oral hygiene, but it can’t defeat bad breath on its own. Use the above tips in conjunction with an anti-bacterial mouthwash that’s made from safe, natural ingredients to get longer-lasting results.