Attack Your Breath, or It Attacks Back

Lately, I've been dealing with a lot of different people. These different people eat different foods, and these different foods create different smells in one's mouth. Yep, I'm talking about breath. Some are tolerable; some just needs a taste bud doctor because it burns. I've figured out a couple of things as to why people's breath does smell and what can be done to prevent it. Yes brushing your teeth is crucial and should not be skipped out on, EVER, but there are much more things people should consider.

Always, always, always brush your teeth before you go to bed. 

What'd you eat for dinner tonight? Whatever it was, it will be circulating in your mouth at night (morning breath.) BRUSH YOUR TEETH BEFORE BED. I don't care how pointless you think it is; it will help you in the long run.

DO's and DONT's for toothpaste:

DO: use toothpaste that has some MINT flavoring in it.It lasts longer and masks more smell. I don't care if it is whitening, cavity defense, or an all in one. Think MINT. Think WHITE or GREEN (preferably) blue is not as intense usually, but that is a personal preference. Colgate is my number one choice; Crest is second on that list.

  

DON'T: Use any toothpaste with swirls of color in them. Just don't, it is a recipe for disaster.  Unless those colors are white and green, I better not see any twisting. Stay away from purples, yellows, off-whites and ESPECIALLY reds. Cinnamon, bubblegum, or fruity stuff is not your friend. And neither are those red white and blue swirled toothpaste. Like the Aquafresh brand, you can get at the dollar store, no, don't even look at it. 

Use a soft toothbrush. 

It gets inside all of your grooves and is gentle on the gums. Along with that, after brushing your teeth BEFORE BED do not drink anything or rinse your mouth out thoroughly. A soft toothbrush prevents cavities because any fluoride in the toothpaste has time to set.

Floss, Floss, Floss

We all hate it, but we should learn to live with it, just like when our parents made us eat vegetables. We lived with it because we got dessert. Now we live with flossing, so we don't have bad breath or bacteria build up. Yeah, gross right? Like generations of bacteria are living between your teeth if you don't clean it out now and then. Floss every morning or every other morning. At the very least get it in like three times a week. Bacteria will continually be washed out and will not retain the odors from your garlic bread last Friday.

Mints and gum are your friends. 

Keep some in your pocket, purse, or car. Sugar-free only, because no one likes ten-second sugar gum. Especially your dentist. STAY AWAY FROM RED MINTS AND GUM. In fact, no cinnamon, ever again. Just stay away from fruity flavored and bring colored items. Green, white, light blue, those colors are your friends.

Mouthwash is very useful.

Especially the one where it shows you what has been living in your mouth. It's strong, kills most germs, and gives you a really good picture of what you keep stored in your teeth. Mouthwash cleans your tongue and throat. I recommend getting a little vial to stow away on your person too. If you don't have mints, you better have mouthwash.