How to Prevent Bad Breath When You Have Braces

No one enjoys conversing with someone who has bad breath. When you have braces, there are more surfaces for bacteria to live in your mouth so it’s important to take extra measures to prevent bad breath. Here are our top tips on how to prevent bad breath when you have braces.

Oral Hygiene Can Prevent Bad Breath

Proper oral hygiene is important for many different reasons ways, with or without braces. Unhealthy teeth and gums can lead to a variety of health problems (and not just in your mouth). Bad breath is caused by a buildup of bacteria in the mouth. Making sure your mouth is as clean as possible by practicing regular brushing, flossing your teeth and the use of mouthwash will help prevent bacteria from building up and causing bad breath. You should brush for two minutes at least twice each day, in addition to trying to brushing after every meal.

Preventing Bad Breath With Your Diet

The foods you eat impact many areas of your body, including your mouth. Adopting a healthy diet can help prevent bad breath. There are also some foods that tend to cause bad breath such as garlic, onions, spicy foods, coffee, and fish. By avoiding some of these foods, you can improve your chances of maintaining fresh breath for the rest of the day.

Not getting enough water is a major culprit of bad breath. Dehydration increases bad breath, because a dry mouth produces less saliva, and saliva helps to clear away bacteria.

Make Regular Dental Visits

Just because you’re visiting your orthodontist regularly does not mean you can skip your routine dental exams. It’s imperative that you visit your dentist regularly for cleanings and exams. This will ensure there are no underlying issues that need to be addressed, and a dentist will also help you keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Keep Orthodontic Hardware Clean

If you have any type of orthodontic hardware, such as retainers, expanders or aligners, it’s important to keep these items as clean as possible. Bacteria can build-up on them, leading to bad breath when you put them in your mouth. Keep your orthodontic devices clean by brushing them regularly.

Bad Breath Is Preventable

The good thing is that bad breath can be prevented. By adopting proper oral hygiene practices and a better diet, and keeping up with your dental visits, you’ll reduce the likelihood of bacteria building up in your mouth and the risk of bad breath.

At Charleston Orthodontic Specialists, we’re dedicated to helping you achieve a perfect smile. Call our experts at (843) 4-BRACES to learn about how we can help you today!