How Flossing Can Help You Get Rid Of Bad Breath

You might think that brushing your teeth is all you need to combat bad breath, but you’d be wrong.

Brushing certainly helps. A swish of mouthwash can also aid you in the quest to banish the smell.

But did you know that flossing can make a big difference as well?

What is bad breath?

The medical word for bad breath is halitosis. Bad breath is, of course, breath with an unpleasant odor.

Halitosis is an extremely common problem. It’s one we don’t necessarily notice on ourselves but we notice it right away on others.

Bad breath can be embarrassing and is sometimes called the “kissing killer.” According to Medical News Today, bad breath is the third most common reason people seek dental care.

What causes bad breath?

There are a number of potential causes of bad breath. These include the following:

• food particles stuck between teeth
• poor dental hygiene
• dry mouth
• certain health conditions
• tobacco use

How flossing helps stop bad breath

The most common causes of halitosis are getting food particles stuck between the teeth and a buildup of plaque on the teeth. Flossing is instrumental in solving these issues.

Brushing can remove a lot, but when food particles get stuck between the teeth, the best solution is flossing.

Even small food particles left stuck in the teeth will start to break down, leading to a smelly situation.

Getting rid of those food particles by flossing will eliminate the odor. Flossing is also key when trying to remove as much plaque as possible. It’s particularly great for removing plaque in the hard-to-reach crevices in between the teeth. Less plaque means less bad breath.

How flossing prevents bad breath

Flossing can help you nip a halitosis problem in the bud but it’s even better for preventing bad breath in the first place.

A consistent dental hygiene routine that includes flossing doesn’t take much time and it comes with a wealth of benefits.

Clean and healthy teeth and gums are great but all of that plus fresh-smelling breath? You can’t beat it. Flossing regularly will ensure that food particles stuck in your teeth don’t have time to start breaking down. It also ensures that there is less bacterial growth (plaque) which will help keep your breath smelling good.

Flossing regularly will ensure that food particles stuck in your teeth don’t have time to start breaking down. It also ensures that there is less bacterial growth (plaque) which will help keep your breath smelling good.

Other tools for stopping and preventing bad breath

If your dental hygiene routine is on point with regular brushing and flossing, your breath is probably smelling just fine.

However, there are other things to try as well to make sure your breath smells as good as possible:

• stop tobacco use
• drink less coffee
• considering changing your diet (low carb diets tend to lead to bad breath due to the body’s production of ketones)
• drink less alcohol, especially if prone to dry mouth as a result of drinking
• drink more water
• eat less onion, garlic, and spicy foods
• brush your tongue or try a tongue scraper to remove bacteria that builds up there

What if your breath still stinks?

If a regular routine of solid dental hygiene (including flossing) doesn’t seem to stop the odor in your mouth, there could be something else going on.

Several health conditions can cause halitosis.

These include illnesses like strep throat as well as more serious conditions like throat cancer.

It can also be a sign of gum disease or an infection like an infected root canal. Sometimes food particles can get stuck in the tonsils and this can lead to an unpleasant smell.

If you’re struggling with bad breath, start by implementing a consistent routine that involves brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day.

If that isn’t solving the problem, you should consult with a dentist to find out if there is an underlying problem in your teeth or gums.

If that isn’t the issue, then it’s important to see your regular doctor to discover other potential causes.