Did you know that bad breath is pretty common in America? But did you also know you’re even more prone to sustain a foul odor if you wear braces? That’s simply because bacteria are given a chance to feed on food particles you missed out on brushing away. But there are simple steps you can follow to fight bad breath and keep your mouth clean at the same time! Read on to learn more about how you can fight bad breath with orthodontic braces.
Here’s a Look at 7 Ways You Can Eliminate Bad Breath with Orthodontic Braces:
1. Brush and Floss Often
If you are suffering from bad breath, you need to double up your brushing and flossing habits. But don’t just keep brushing your teeth; your gums need to be kept clean too. Remember to clean the roof of your mouth and tongue too.
These spots are often missed and are breeding grounds for bacteria and bad breath. So, make sure you pay close attention to these areas too. Carry a toothbrush to work too if you have been eating hard, sugary, and chewy foods. Foods with a strong smell are also no exception!
If you haven’t been flossing up till the time you started wearing braces, now is your time to change your oral care routine for the better. Food particles are often trapped between braces that attract bacteria and foul odor.
2. Use Mouthwash
One effective way to kill bacteria in one go is by using mouthwash for braces. It gets into tiny spaces and kills all the germs and bacteria that a toothbrush and dental floss can’t remove. In case you have sensitive teeth, use a mouthwash that doesn’t leave your mouth with a burn.
But there’s always a more natural route you can take up. Fill a mason jar with water and add a few drops of tea tree oil, peppermint oil, and baking soda. While this solution may taste strange, it won’t leave your mouth with a burn and will effectively disinfect your mouth.
3. Replace Your Toothbrush
Replace your toothbrush from time to time. If you’re brushing with braces, check your toothbrush for worn-out bristles. You may have to replace your toothbrush more often. Purchase a five-in-one toothbrush set to effortlessly switch to a new toothbrush that keeps teeth clean and strengthens gums too.
4. Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is the key to maintaining good dental and overall health. If you’re not staying hydrated enough, there’s a good chance you might have bad breath. A dry mouth discourages saliva production and removes bacteria and excess food particles. Keep a 3 Ltr. bottle with you and drink up throughout the day.
5. Start Using a Water Flosser
Water flossers are designed to effectively clean ultra-tiny spaces between your teeth and gums that cannot be reached by a toothbrush and floss. When you initially use a water flosser, your gums may bleed, just like they might when you first use dental floss.
But the inflammation of gums takes a backseat when you use it daily. Not just that, it eliminates bad breath germs, while keeping your teeth whiter and healthier.
6. Monitor Your Diet
The hardware of braces makes it much easier for tiny food particles to get stuck between wires and brackets. Bacteria feed on these foods and a by-product of the process is a foul smell. If it’s not treated on time, it can lead to halitosis or bad breath. Make sure you monitor the foods you eat to prevent these problems from occurring.
7. See Your Orthodontist Regularly
These tips are excellent for maintaining healthy teeth and clean breath. But make sure you follow up with regular visits to your orthodontist. Quick treatment is all that may be required to permanently eliminate bad breath.
Following the above steps regularly helps you maintain healthy teeth and win the battle against bad breath. In addition, you can always enjoy breath mints to keep your mouth feeling fresh!