Fresh breath is so important – not just to maintain good oral hygiene, but also to boost our confidence in our daily lives, whether we have an important meeting, after-work drinks, a party or a hot date.
To celebrate Fresh Breath Day (6 August 2018), we’ve put together our top 10 tips to help you say goodbye to bad breath for good!
1 – Brush your teeth and gums for at least two minutes, at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. We recommend using an electric toothbrush for more effective, thorough brushing in those hard-to-reach areas!
2 – Replace your toothbrush every three to four months to keep it working at its best.
3 – Brush your tongue when you brush your teeth. The majority of bacteria forms on the back of the tongue, so it needs a regular clean. Some toothbrushes have a built-in tongue cleaner especially for this purpose. If yours doesn’t, use a separate toothbrush or a tongue scraper. Aim to gently clean the whole surface of the tongue, starting from the back and working towards the front.
4 – Floss between your teeth daily to remove any trapped food.
5 – Rinse your mouth daily with mouthwash, at a different time of day to when you brush your teeth.
6 – Give up smoking.
7 – Drink lots of water. If your mouth is dehydrated, bacteria will start to break down food particles that have not been washed away – and this causes bad breath.
8 – Chew sugar-free gum after eating, to stimulate the flow of saliva around your mouth.
9 – Cut down on sugary foods, which can increase the amount of bacteria lurking in your mouth. It’s also a good idea to cut down on strongly flavoured or spicy foods such as onions and garlic, as well as coffee and alcohol. Instead, eat vegetables high in vitamin C such as red bell peppers and broccoli, which help to banish mouth bacteria.
10 – Visit your dentist and hygienist regularly. We recommend our Honour Diamond Airflow hygiene treatment, which instantly removes heavy staining and disrupts plaque lurking under the gums, creating a brighter, whiter smile and fresher breath.
To make an appointment for Honour Diamond Airflow, call your chosen practice here.
Happy Fresh Breath Day!