Take the Bad Breath Test
Want to check if you’ve got dragon breath? Lick the back of your hand, let it dry for about 10 seconds and then take a whiff. If it smells funky to you, imagine how badly it reeks to people around you! Your tongue might be the nasty little culprit. The little bumps on your tongue can trap bacteria, which cause stinky breath. Brushing your teeth twice and flossing once a day is a no-brainer for fresher breath but don’t forget to clean your tongue, too. Just brush gently from back to front a few times with your toothbrush and toothpaste.
For an even deeper cleaning, try a tongue scraper. First brush and floss your teeth as usual. Then lightly scrape the entire surface once or twice. Rinse the scraper after each pass, and rinse your mouth out with water when you’re all done. If tongue cleaning doesn’t fix your bad breath – or if other oral symptoms don’t go away – make an appointment t
o talk with your dentist.
Have you noticed that you smell your bad breath when you wear a mask? Wearing a mask during the pandemic helps stop the spread of COVID-19 but can be a smelly experience if you suffer from halitosis (bad breath). Luckily, there are a few simple tips you can try to clear up the bad breath.
Keep your mask clean. Toss disposable masks after each use and wash reusable ones regularly.
Watch your diet. Some foods and drinks can make your breath smell bad. Avoid foods that are fragrant before wearing a mask.
Treat underlying gum disease. If you have gum disease chemicals caused by bacteria may be released with unpleasant odors.
Keep up good oral hygiene. Brush and floss at least twice a day. Also rinse your mouth by drinking water after meals. Try using a tongue scrapper mentioned above.
Source: United Concordia Dental