Dr. Jonathan Richter DDS, FAGD
It’s that time of year again where we gather over sumptuous feasts that may leave our breath smelling for days after. Here are a few tips to reduce that bad breath, since we all know mints don’t work:
- Brush your tongue. As well as brushing your teeth, you need to brush your tongue. Don’t stop at those pearly whites and gums, go one step further and include brushing your tongue in your daily routine.
- Floss. This is another way of removing bacteria—and that rotten-egg smell—from your mouth. American researchers
noted that people that flossed as well as brushed their teeth and tongue managed a 38 percent drop in bleeding gums and also experienced a reduction in halitosis. - Lose weight. You are more likely to have stinky breath if you’re carrying too many extra pounds, scientists have discovered.
- Avoid crash diets. Losing weight too quickly can lead to a sweet, sickly smell on your breath. This is caused by ketones, chemicals released when fat breaks down.
- Glug water. If you drink plenty of water throughout the day, you stand a better chance of washing away the bacteria that causes halitosis. even just rinsing your mouth well between meals can help.
- Chew sugarless gum. The British Dental Health Foundation recommends chewing sugarless gum (the sugared version causes tooth decay) to increase saliva production.
Source: Dr. Jonathan Richter, DDS, FAGD, is a dentist at Cardiodontal, located at 310 E. Shore Rd., Ste. 101, Great Neck. Cardiodontal prides itself in its use of BPA-free dental products. Call 516-282-0310 for an appointment.
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