Healthy Smiles

How to get a healthy smile and great breath!

Often times, your breath can indicate the health of your teeth. Bacteria, in combination with food particles, can cause bad breath. Good brushing and flossing habits can minimize this problem. Sometimes, individuals use too much toothpaste. Remember, you only need to use a pea-size amount to do the job right.

When your mouth gets dry, your breath tends to sour. This is because salvia in your mouth washes away bacteria each time you swallow. To reduce halitosis (bad-breath), drink throughout the day, especially water. Another way to moisten your mouth is to chew a sugar free gum, like Stride, to fuel saliva production.

Periodontal disease is another cause of bad breath. Be sure to visit your dentist’s office at least two times a year for bi-annual checkups. Depending on the smell of your breath, many dental professional can diagnosis certain gum diseases before examining your teeth. Periodontal disease is caused by an infection in the tissue around the teeth. Left untreated, this disease can cause significant damage even resulting in tooth loss.

Finally, if you wear dentures or have an oral retainer, it is important to properly clean these devises. If you are not sure if the odour you smell is a result of your dentures or retainer; try this. Take the devise out of your mouth and seal into a plastic baggie for five minutes. Open the bag and smell; this is what your breath smells like.

Once you kiss your bad breath goodbye, you can begin to enjoy kissing again! For more information about dentists.