It is easy to keep your mouth clean and your breath smelling great when you have a toothbrush and toothpaste or mouthwash on hand. But what about when you are at work or out and about? How can you stay minty fresh in between meals and maximize your confidence when talking to colleagues, friends, and family?
Here are some tips on staying minty fresh.
Chew gum
Peppermint flavored gum tastes great and will instantly refresh your mouth and leave your breath minty fresh. Just be sure to steer clear of gum that contains a lot of sugar, as this can have a negative impact on oral health in the long-term and even be the cause of tooth decay.
Drink lots of water
Your body needs plenty of water to function optimally – but did you know that it is also excellent for keeping your breath fresh? Water helps to wash away any food build-up and bacteria. It also works to boost saliva production, which is known to have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.
Choose your food wisely
There are certain types of food that will have an adverse effect on your breath no matter how diligent you are regarding chewing minty fresh gum and drinking plenty of water. Examples include food made using lots of garlic and/or onion, tuna fish, and coffee.
Snack on fresh, crunchy food
Think of apples, carrots, and celery as nature’s answer to the toothbrush. These crunchy foods are great at getting rid of small food particles stuck in between your teeth, as well as ‘scrubbing’ away any bacteria build-up on the surface of the teeth. Crunchy green vegetables are especially helpful because they work to balance out the acid inside the body, promoting a more alkaline environment – which is fantastic news for your mouth and teeth.
Floss
While it might not be practical to brush your teeth when you are out in public, there is nothing stopping you from flossing. Sit in your car or a cubicle and gently floss in between each tooth following a meal. Rinse thoroughly with water, and you will notice an immediate, positive change in your breath. It’s easy to get minty fresh when you use minty fresh flavored floss!
Avoid smoking
The smell of tobacco is off-putting on its own and certainly not minty fresh! Add to that the fact that smoking can hinder optimal saliva production, and it is easy to see why smoking can cause such terrible smelling breath! Smoking has also been linked to a much higher risk of developing gum disease – another possible cause of bad breath.
Visit your dentist
If despite your best efforts to maintain your oral health, your breath is still not as fresh as you feel it should be, it is time to visit your dentist for a check-up. There could be underlying causes of bad breath, such as gum disease or GERD, that need to be treated before the problem can be alleviated.
Put in the effort and visit your dentist regularly, and there shouldn’t be any reason why you can’t have minty fresh breath and a pearly white smile morning, noon, and night!
