A passionate morning kiss: in films it always seems oh so romantic, in reality a bad-smelling breath often makes a difference.
Then quickly put a coin in your mouth? Apparently not. They feed the bacteria that cause the irritating mouth door even more. According to dentist Elisa Mello, these are the best tips to get rid of your bad breath for good.
Check your cleaning behaviour
That you brush your teeth twice a day, for at least two minutes you probably already knew, but according Mello is definitely brushing your teeth in the evening an absolute must.
“It is crucial to brush your teeth for two to three minutes and then floss before bedtime. After all, the saliva production decreases at night. Without that extra moisture in your mouth, bacteria will accumulate on your tongue and between your teeth so that you wake up in the morning with the morning breath,” says Mello.
Do not forget to scrape your tongue. More than half of the bacteria that cause bad breath grow on your tongue.
Avoid dehydrating products
“Products with alcohol or toothpastes with sodium lauryl sulphate dry out your mouth. And since we know that reduced saliva production is one of the main causes of a badly smelling mouth, you should try to avoid it as much as possible,” says Mello.
Replace your toothbrush regularly
Another important culprit of your bad breath? Your toothbrush. According to Dr. Mello, you should therefore replace it every two to three months and certainly after you have been ill.
Consult your dentist
If you continue to have bad breath, Mello recommends that you visit your dentist. “Your dentist can determine where the odours come from.”
Bad breath can also be an indicator for certain health problems such as tooth inflammation, abscess, heartburn, respiratory infection, chronic sinusitis, diabetes and liver or kidney problems.
