How to Keep Your Breath Fresh & Clean

Not many things in life can be more embarrassing than walking around with bad breath -- the kind that makes other people want to run away from you. Chances are you know how uncomfortable it is to engage in conversation with a person whose breath is not exactly fresh and clean. Proper oral hygiene can make maintaining pleasant breath a cinch.

Instructions

• 1

  Brush your teeth at least twice daily. To ensure clean breath, be sure to thoroughly brush your teeth upon waking up and before going to bed. When you brush, be sure not to forget your tongue as it can be a breeding ground for bacteria. After you brush, carefully floss in between your teeth to remove any small pieces of food that may be caught. Aim to floss once every day. Try to brush your teeth immediately after all meals and snacks, because food is often a bad breath trigger.

• 2

  Schedule regular dentist appointments. Ensure that your teeth are in fine working condition by going to the dentist twice a year. A dentist will not only deeply cleanse your teeth, but will also check out your mouth for any possible tooth or gum issues. If you have a problem such as tooth decay, it could be responsible for any bad breath.

• 3

  Keep hydrated. Wash your mouth down with at least eight classes of water every day. Water is beneficial for maintaining fresh breath as it helps clear the mouth of any trapped food and lingering bacteria.

• 4

  Stop smoking. If you want your breath to smell squeaky clean, put down the cigarettes immediately. Apart from making your mouth smell like an ashtray, smoking also raises your risk for developing gum disease. Research by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research states that one of the main signs of gum disease is persistent bad breath.

• 5

  Chew on gum. Sugar-free gum is an easy way to combat bad breath. When you chew gum, it moisturizes your mouth by increasing saliva production. Saliva battles bad breath by rinsing the mouth of food particles and bacteria. Apart from raising your mouth's hydration, gums with fresh flavors (spearmint, peppermint and cinnamon) add a nice touch.