If you’re one of the millions of Canadian who brush their teeth every day and still can’t figure out why you have bad breath, you’re not alone. Many people think that by brushing their teeth on a regular basis, they are doing the right thing for their teeth.
Brushing is essential.
Make no mistake: brushing your teeth is essential. You should be brushing your teeth at least twice per day, but you can add more brushing time in as well, especially after every meal.
The key to brushing properly is to use a soft to medium bristle toothbrush. Do not use a hard bristle brush, as this can not only damage the enamel on your teeth, but it can also cause harm to your gums.
The reason you still have bad breath.
You may still have halitosis, or bad breath, even if you brush several times a day because a toothbrush alone isn’t enough to get out all of the food particles from your teeth. Those food particles that get trapped in the gaps between your teeth will grow bacteria on them, and that will eventually lead to bad breath.
Floss.
That’s why dentists all over the world tell their patients that it is essential to floss every time that you brush. When you floss after brushing, you are pulling out the food particles that get trapped in between the teeth.
Make sure that you rinse your mouth out properly after you floss so that you don’t give those food particles a chance to get back in between your teeth.
Brush your tongue and roof of your mouth.
You should also get in the habit of vigorously brushing your tongue and lightly brushing the roof of your mouth, as well as the gums. This will help to remove certain bacteria that get trapped in those regions of your mouth, which can also lead to bad breath.
Use mouthwash.
If you don’t have any allergies to the ingredients in mouthwash, rinse twice per day (morning and night). This is a disinfectant that will help to kill any lingering bacteria that can not only harm your teeth, but that can also lead to bad breath.
See your dentist at least twice per year.
It’s also important that you visit with your dentist at least twice per year for regular cleanings. Even though you do everything right, there may still be plaque and other build up in your mouth that brushing, flossing, and rinsing simply can’t remove.