When we eat, especially sugary foods, the sugars become acids on our teeth. Acids wear down tooth enamel. For about half an hour after eating a meal, your teeth are in a weakened state from the acids. Tooth enamel remineralizes or hardens during this time, but brushing while it’s trying to build itself back up can just cause more damage.

Brushing to remove food particles and bacteria twice a day is important to reduce the risk of gum disease, but as long as you are brushing at least two times every day and avoiding brushing within half an hour of eating, you can brush whenever it is convenient for you. Some people don’t like to brush before a meal because the minty taste of the toothpaste interferes with the taste of their food. Toothpaste can also make food taste bad because it contains sodium laureth sulfate. This ingredient is responsible for the foaming action of toothpaste in the mouth; it is the same ingredient that makes shampoo lather up. Toothpaste does not need SLS to work, so using a brand of toothpaste that does not contain SLS can make eating after brushing more pleasing.

If you do choose to brush before eating, you can help to eliminate food particles and bacteria with a mouth rinse after the meal. Chewing sugarless gum after meals can also stimulate saliva, which helps to wash away acids.

Remember that plaque builds up throughout the day, and at night when we sleep. This is the reason most people experience “morning breath,” and this is another reason that brushing before breakfast is beneficial. A good morning routine could be to brush, eat, and then rinse with mouthwash. If you really prefer to brush after eating, try to wait half an hour or at least 20 minutes. You should also always use fluoride toothpaste no matter when you brush, to keep your tooth enamel strong.

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Bad breath caused by foods like garlic or beverages like coffee is temporary, but chronic bad breath is a problem that needs treatment and not just a cover-up. Halitosis, the proper term for bad breath, is caused by bacteria on the teeth and gums. Chronic bad breath could be a sign of gum disease.

Most mouthwashes contain ingredients that fight bacteria. When choosing a mouthwash, look carefully at the claims on the label, and then look for the ADA seal. The ADA (American Dental Association) seal means that the ADA has agreed that the mouthwash does what it claims to do. Mouthwash labels may use phrases like tartar control or plaque fighting. Without the ADA seal, these claims may not be valid.

Mouthwash may also contain fluoride. You should be using fluoride toothpaste twice a day to brush your teeth, but a fluoride mouthwash may also be recommended. Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and helps to prevent cavities and tooth decay.

Breath mints and mint chewing gums are not actually harmful as long as they contain no sugar. Chewing gum can actually help your teeth by promoting saliva production, which helps to wash away acids from foods. Chewing sugarless gum after meals is actually a good habit, but if you are using gum or mints constantly to fight bad breath, you should see the dentist.

Gum disease and tooth decay will cause bad breath that keeps coming back no matter how much mouthwash you use. Getting these problems treated will eliminate chronic bad breath, save your teeth and prevent toothache, bleeding gums and other oral health problems. You can keep normal, food-related bad breath in check and fight bacteria by using ADA approved mouthwash as part of your daily oral hygiene routine.

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Crunchy foods

Crunchy fruits or vegetables can help to remove food particles that are stuck to your teeth. If you’re still looking for something to munch on after eating, an apple or some celery sticks could help to neutralize your breath.

Dairy products

Dairy products can neutralize acids that cause bad breath. A piece of cheese or some unsweetened yogurt at the end of a meal can improve your breath, and give you calcium that’s good for your oral health. Eating yogurt regularly may even help improve your breath on a regular basis.

Sugarless gum

Sugarless gum is not only better for your teeth than gum that contains sugar, it actually may be better for your teeth than not chewing gum at all. That’s because the chewing action stimulates saliva production, and saliva washes away acids in your mouth. This can improve your breath and reduce bacteria. Mint-flavored gum may be the top choice for masking bad breath, but cinnamon gum may actually do a better job of conquering bad breath, due to a chemical in cinnamon flavoring that can actually reduce bacteria.

Tea

Strange as it may sound, black tea can actually reduce bad breath. Compounds in black tea can inhibit the growth of mouth bacteria that cause bad breath. Tea can also leave an odor on your breath, so limit your intake and opt for decaffeinated tea for less negative breath affects.

Water

Simply drinking water after a meal can wash away food particles and acids. This is good for your oral health, and your breath.

Some other foods that may quickly freshen your breath are lemon, cranberries, pineapple and parsley. Remember that good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups are the best way to keep your mouth healthy and your breath fresh.

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