The primary cause of halitosis (bad breath) is plaque, the sticky build-up on teeth that harbors bacteria. Food left on and in between the teeth also adds to bad breath. Everyone should brush and floss daily, but many people don’t realize that doing so will help prevent bad breath. You should also brush your tongue or use a tongue scraper to remove bacteria and food debris and then rinse with an anti-bacterial mouthwash. If you don’t have mouthwash available after eating, even rinsing with water will help eliminate any food particles that can cause bad breath. Another tip to prevent halitosis is to avoid certain foods that are known to cause bad breath such as onions or garlic. And of course, getting your teeth cleaned on a regular basis will definitely help keep your breath smelling fresh!
– from Megan W. (Dental Assistant)