Treatment of Bad breath

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Treatment depends on what is causing bad breath. The simplest and most effective treatment is usually to improve your dental hygiene. To avoid bad breath, you need to keep your mouth and teeth clean.

Your dentist is likely to recommend that you brush your teeth and gums with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day. Choose a small to medium sized toothbrush, with soft, multi tufted, nylon bristles. Use a separate toothbrush or tongue scraper to lightly brush your tongue. Use dental floss to clean between your teeth and remove any trapped food that could cause tooth decay.

Your dentist may also suggest daily rinsing with an anti-bacterial or anti-odour mouthwash. This should not replace brushing your teeth, but should be incorporated into your complete oral hygiene routine. Avoid brushing your teeth for 30 minutes after an acidic drink such as fruit juice, or acidic fruit such as oranges, to prevent tooth erosion.

If you wear dentures, take them out at night to give your mouth chance to rest. Avoid cleaning them with toothpaste, which will scratch the surface and cause stains to build up. Clean them thoroughly with soap and lukewarm water, a denture cream or a denture-cleaning tablet. Use a separate toothbrush to clean your dentures.