Chronic bad breath is usually a sign that an underlying problem is present, so you should always follow up with your dentist to evaluate your smile if you have persistent bad breath.

It’s understandable that you’d want your stinky breath to go away as soon as possible. While you’re waiting to see your dentist, what can you do the meantime to have a clean and fresh smile?

Mouthwash

Mouthwash can temporarily help your chronic bad breath although it won’t fix the cause of it. It’s important to not rely on mouthwash as a permanent solution to a constant bad odor or foul taste in your mouth.

You can ask your dentist which mouthwash you should use or he or she may prescribe a
mouthwash for you based on your symptoms and the cause of your bad breath [1].

You can also try to rinse your mouth out with essential oils if you have them on hand, such as peppermint. Try rinsing with one or two drops of peppermint essential oil in water which can give you a powerful boost of fresh breath!

Drink Water

Another major cause of chronic bad breath is dehydration, which can affect saliva production. When your oral cavity doesn’t have enough saliva, bacteria can quickly get out of control [2]. If your mouth feels dry, try drinking more water throughout the day and reducing your caffeine intake (which includes coffee, soda, and most teas).

Drinking water can help alleviate your chronic bad breath quickly, so don’t overlook this simple but important practice!

Chew Gum

Chewing gum can not only help mask your chronic bad breath, but will help increase saliva production which could be contributing to your bad breath in the first place.

The best gum to chew is sugar-free gum so it won’t increase your risk of cavities. When you need a fast chronic bad breath remedy, chewing gum is easy enough to have on hand.

Brush Your Tongue

Your tongue is home to many bacteria so be sure to brush your tongue along with brushing your teeth and flossing daily. Whether you use your regular toothbrush or a tongue scraper, don’t overlook this important part of your oral care routine!

Foods That May Help

There are certain foods that may help your chronic bad breath in a pinch. These include:

• Spices such as cinnamon sticks, clove buds, and fennel seeds that you can suck or bite
  on (but not chew). You’ll want to spit out these spices after biting as they tend to be
  strong and can irritate the soft tissues of the mouth.
• Citrus fruit rinds such as lemon, lime, or orange, which you can rinse off and briefly
  chew on to alleviate stinky breath.
• Eating or chewing herbs such as parsley, basil, and mint can help as well, so order a dish with these when you’re out at lunch!

Getting Help for Your Chronic Bad Breath

It’s important to remember that gum disease is the main cause of chronic bad breath, so don’t hesitate to schedule a visit with your dentist to check for this oral health condition [3]. By addressing the root cause of your bad breath, you can get it to go away once and for all!

Sources:
1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bad-breath/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350925
2. https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/sig258649spec
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3412664/

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Always Choose Sugar-Free

There are a huge variety of sugar-free gums. Make sure you read the label, as not all gums are created equal. Some gums may still contain sugar, so it’s always best to check. Chewing gum that’s loaded with sugar is basically like sucking on candy, exposing your mouth to acidity and raising your risk for enamel damage and tooth decay.

When you chew sugar-free gum, you increase your saliva production, which actually helps to combat bad bacteria and balance the pH of your mouth. This lowers your chances for having tooth decay in the future. Stimulating saliva flow also makes it more difficult for plaque to stick to your teeth, so you have less plaque and more shine!

Xylitol Is Your Best Pick

Of all the sugar-free sweeteners out there, xylitol takes home the trophy for being the best one for your smile. Why is this? Xylitol has been proven to be a cavity-fighter as it helps neutralize bad bacteria and keeps plaque away. Xylitol has also been found to help improve your enamel, and may even help repair damaged enamel!

Xylitol also packs another punch—it’s more alkaline than other sugar-free substitutes. This means less acidity for your mouth and a more neutral pH. This further helps to balance bacteria and keep your smile healthy and fresh. When choosing sugar-free chewing gum at the store, look for ones sweetened with xylitol for the most benefits.

Don’t Use as a Brushing Replacement

As popular as chewing gum is and as many benefits as sugar-free gum has for your smile, you should never chew gum in place of brushing. Although sugarless gum can help keep bacteria from sticking to teeth and ruining your smile, you still need to brush and floss every day to manually remove plaque and keep your teeth healthy.

You can chew gum between meals or after meals for fresher breath. If you’re running late one morning, chewing on gum with xylitol can help freshen your breath and cut down on plaque growth throughout the day. Never make this a regular habit and use only for emergencies! Brushing and flossing are essential practices for a healthy, strong smile along with dental checkups.

Keep sugar-free gum sweetened with xylitol at the top of your list when it comes to the best chewing gum for your smile. This gum can help prevent cavity formation, restore proper mouth pH, and keep bacteria from attacking your tooth enamel. Chewing gum can be helpful when it comes to your teeth!

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The type of gum is the most important factor in whether or not chewing gum is bad for your teeth. This is because chewing gum that contains sugar is actually bad for your teeth—the consequences outweigh the benefits. Your teeth are being exposed to acidic sugars over a period of time, therefore increasing your risk for cavities.

However, sugarless gum can actually be beneficial for your smile. It stimulates saliva production, therefore promoting a healthy environment for good bacteria, and therefore can help decrease plaque and acid-forming bacteria. The increased saliva flow can also help to free trapped food particles from your teeth!

May Help Reduce Cavities

Not all sugarless gum is created equal. Sugarless gums created with xylitol are better for your teeth than gums created with other artificial sweeteners, which tend to be more acidic. Xylitol is alkaline-forming, which means it can help promote a healthier bacteria balance in the mouth and minimize your chances of enamel erosion and cavities.

Sugarless gum sweetened with xylitol should be your top pick because it may help reduce cavities. Xylitol can also hinder the growth of the bacteria involved in cavity formation. Regular chewing of sugarless gum with xylitol may help promote a healthier bacteria balance of over time because it can inhibit harmful bacteria from bonding to tooth surfaces!

When Chewing Gum Is Bad for You

Chewing gum isn’t the best practice for everyone, regardless of whether or not it’s sugar-free! There are times when chewing gum actually is bad for you. These occasions include:

 If you’re experiencing symptoms of TMJ. Temporomandibular Joint disorder, or TMJ disorder, affects your jaw and the muscles that operate your jaw. People who experience jaw locking, tenderness, or facial pain should avoid chewing gum and visit their dentist.

 If you chew gum with sugar. Chewing gum with sugar is not recommended. It’s better to sip water or crunch on vegetables than to chew gum with conventional sugars!

 If you use it to replace brushing and flossing. We’ve all been running late and popped some gum into our mouths instead of brushing our teeth—but if you do this on a daily basis, you’re robbing your mouth of the best oral hygiene practices that can save your smile! Chewing gum—even sugarless gum—should never replace your regular brushing and flossing routine.

Chewing gum can be very beneficial for your smile if you choose a quality sugar-free gum that’s sweetened with xylitol. This can help prevent cavities, encourage healthy bacteria, and result in a healthier mouth. Avoid chewing gum if you have TMJ disorder or favor gum with sugar, and as always, visit your dentist to ensure your teeth are healthy!

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