As a human being, you have multiple senses available to help you process the world around you. When you combine sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell, your brain can tell you what seems safe, friendly, or appealing. When it comes to smell, freshness suggests cleanliness, personal care, and confidence. August 6 is National Fresh Breath Day, and it’s the perfect time to talk about what causes mouth odors, why you should care about them, and what you can do to get better smelling breath.
Causes of Bad Breath
Smelly breath can come from several sources, including recently eating strongly scented foods like onions, garlic, fish, and more. Another major cause is oral bacteria. These microscopic organisms feed on the bits of sugar, starch, and carbohydrates in your mouth from what’s left behind when you eat. These bacteria grow and spread, creating foul-smelling acidic substances that erode your enamel and irritate the gums. For example, when you wake up with morning breath, it’s because your mouth produces less saliva during sleep. In this drier environment, bacteria tend to thrive, leading to an unpleasant odor.
Why Fresh Breath Matters
Have you ever tried to have a conversation with someone who hasn’t showered in a long time? The stench emanating from them can distract you from listening and really getting to know the person, lead to judgements, and leave a negative impression. The same reaction in others can occur if you have bad breath.
How to Achieve Fresh Breath in a Hurry
One of the fastest ways to get rid of bad breath is to pop a mint in your mouth. However, be careful about what types of ingredients your mints have. Some come loaded with sugar, which may taste delicious but will only put your smile at greater risk of cavities and infection. The same warning applies to chewing gum: as long as your gum has no sugar, this little habit can mask your breath with minty freshness.
How to Address the Cause of Foul Breath
If you have an important event or gathering coming up, such as a date or interview for a job, it’s a good idea to stay away from smelly foods for a couple of hours to avoid strong, stinky breath.
Although mints and gum can help you on the go with bad breath, these are just temporary solutions. If you want to enjoy fresher breath in general, you may need to make small adjustments in your lifestyle. Brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes and flossing at least once per day can remove bacteria-filled plaque and bits of food from your mouth. Semi-annual visits to the dentist give you an opportunity to have your teeth professionally cleaned and examined for any sneaky issues you may miss. Drinking more water and consuming less sugar can also help keep oral bacteria under control.
Although everyone experiences bad breath at some point, if you follow these lifestyle tips, you can reduce strong odors in your mouth. Not only can fresh breath open doors for you socially and professionally, but it can help you feel self-confident and more comfortable around others. Make your dental appointment to set yourself up with fresh breath this August 6.
About the Author
Throughout his long career, Dr. Ira Newman has not only studied with some of the most prestigious professional dental organizations in the country but also lectured nationally and published articles about many fields within dentistry. At Gramercy Dental Studio, he offers services as simple as routine checkups and cleanings and as complex as dental implant and other advanced restorative procedures. If you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Newman, contact his practice online or call 212-924-6890.
