Follow these tips to fight bad breath—on the go!

Stimulate Saliva Production with Gum or Snacks

Sugar-free gum is easy to store and transport, so keep a spare pack in your car or at yor desk for those times you forget to brush or feel a little anxious about your post-lunch breath. Mint-flavored gum can provide added freshness! Chewing gum will help to stimulate saliva production and make your breath fresh! Saliva is so important for our teeth and gums. Keeping your saliva production normal is important to fight that bad bacteria that bring bad breath.

If you’re not a fan of gum, you can achieve the same effect with healthy snacks such as carrots, apples, and celery. These firm veggies and fruits can help rehydrate you and actually act as little scrubbers on your teeth to remove plaque and increase saliva. Best of all, you’ll get added fiber and nutrients from these snacks to keep you well nourished throughout the day.

Keep Teeth Wipes and Mini Brushes with You

Teeth wipes are cloth-like mitts that fit over your forefinger that can help “brush” your teeth when you’re on the go. These are perfect emergency back-ups for those times you forget to brush. You may also opt to keep a mini toothbrush with you. Although you won’t always be able to get to a restroom, there will be times when you can stop in for a quick brush with a travel-sized tube of toothpaste and a mini brush or teeth wipes.

Chew Herbs

Herbs have many different health benefits, but did you know that they’re also great for freshening up bad breath? Herbs such as mint, rosemary, and even sage and parsley can help freshen breath in a matter of seconds. Chewing these leaves will also boost saliva in your mouth. If you have a garden with herbs or if you happen to get a sprig of parsley on your plate with dinner, don’t hesitate to pop it into your mouth for fresher breath!

Drink Water or Tea

Bad breath tends to come at times when your mouth is feeling dry—another reason to stay hydrated! Drinking water or herbal tea can help to rehydrate you and re-establish the balance of good and bad bacteria in your mouth. When trying to fight bad breath on the go, keep a bottle of water with you and sip. This is not only great for your body, but for your breath too.

Fighting bad breath on the go is easy if you’re prepared and have the right tools. Keep mini brushes and a bottle of water with you. Pack carrots and apples for a snack. Pick some fresh herbs on your way to work when you just didn’t have time to brush. Fresh breath is closer than you think!

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How Does a Cavity Form?

Cavities are formed by tooth decay over a period of time. Decay is caused by bacteria and acidic conditions that allow bacteria to thrive. When we brush and floss, we remove much of the harmful bacteria. That’s why proper care on a daily basis is vital for cavity prevention.

Sugary foods, sodas, and other highly acidic foods and beverages speed up the growth of bacteria in the mouth. This bacteria results in plaque and eventually tartar. The bacteria destroy the minerals that make up tooth enamel, the protective layer on the outside of a tooth. A cavity occurs when enamel has been worn away to the point that the tooth is permanently pitted.

What Can Happen if I Don’t Get It Filled?

Unfortunately, once a cavity forms, you can’t reverse the damage simply by brushing and flossing.

Eventually, the tooth will continue to decay. With the protective enamel gone, infection can set in. Once this infection reaches the roots of the tooth, a root canal will be necessary to remove the infected part of the root and avoid tooth death or loss.

Ultimately, filling cavities save time, money, and pain. No one wants to have to go to the dentist multiple times to have an expensive procedure like a root canal followed by having to get a crown to protect the tooth. Instead, it is a far easier procedure to get the cavity filled.

Why Some Avoid Filling Cavities

There are usually two main reasons: expense and fear. If you have insurance, even state-issued insurance, cavities should be covered. At most, you will have a small copay. Root canals and crowns are rarely covered by insurance, so getting cavities filled is the smart option.

Don’t let fear keep you out of the dentist’s chair. Getting a cavity filled is a simple and virtually painless procedure due to modern medicine and numbing procedures. Ask your dentist what options are available to make you more comfortable during your visit.

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If You Have Bad Breath…

The tongue can harbor plaque and bacteria just like the rest of our mouths, but since the tongue is
constantly bathed in saliva, moving against certain foods, and cleaning itself, the plaque and bacteria don’t gather on the tongue in the same way they do in the small spaces between our teeth or on the surfaces of our teeth. However, if you have bad breath, the tongue might actually be housing a lot of the bacteria that could be causing your bad breath. Many people find brushing their tongue helpful when it comes to bad breath, especially in the morning. If you find that brushing with a tooth brush makes you gag, there are certain “tongue scrapers” that you can buy. While these are not necessary for optimal oral health, you may want to consider these if you have bad breath or an unpleasant taste on your tongue from certain foods. Usually, the taste from certain foods will go away quickly as the tongue cleans itself, but for certain foods like garlic, salmon, or onions, the taste may unpleasantly linger. Bad breath can also be a sign of gum disease or tooth decay, so remember to always get routine check-ups with your dentist!

Is it Necessary?

Cleaning your tongue is not strictly necessary as long as you keep your mouth clean. This means
brushing at least once a day, flossing once a day or between meals as necessary, and visiting your
dentist. Brushing your tongue is optional. The bacteria on the tongue can spread back to the teeth and gums after brushing if the tongue is not itself brushed, but as it takes at least 24 hours for plaque to form in your mouth, you should be fine as long as you’re brushing once a day. Remember that it’s the quality of your brushing that matters over quantity—no use in brushing your teeth several times a day if you are missing the same areas every time, therefore allowing plaque to build up! Your dentist can talk with you about which areas are being missed in your mouth when brushing just by examining your teeth during your check-up.

While many people give their tongue a quick scrub, it’s not wholly necessary. If you have bad breath or frequently eat foods that feel like their taste “clings” in your mouth, you may find it helpful to brush your tongue along with your regular brushings. As always, healthy oral hygiene consists of brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist!

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Are You a Good Candidate?

Good candidates for dental veneers have healthy mouths. This means being free of gum disease and tooth decay. You’ll also need to have enough enamel on your tooth for the process, as your dentist will need to remove some of the enamel and roughen the surface of your tooth in order for the veneer to attach properly to it. If you already have issues with tooth enamel or tooth sensitivity, you may not be a good candidate for dental veneers for your gaps. People who grind their teeth are also not ideal candidates as grinding can damage the veneers over time, so you may want to consider alternative options if you grind your teeth.

Porcelain Is Better

While resin composite is moderately cheaper, porcelain will hold up better in the long run for your dental veneers for your gaps. Porcelain is stain resistant and also less resistant to chipping and cracking. Porcelain can be an excellent choice for your gaps and gives you the most natural appearance by accurately mimicking the shine and color of your natural teeth. Your gums will also handle the porcelain
well, which is important since it’ll be adhered permanently to your tooth. The color cannot be altered once attached though, so if you plan on getting your teeth whitened, it’ll be best to do it before the dental veneer process begins.

Long Lasting Beautiful Teeth

Veneers are a great option for your gapped teeth and can even cover other imperfections such as chips in your teeth. Since porcelain is stain resistant, you won’t have to worry about discoloration or unnatural looking teeth after you get your veneers. They are resistant to scratches and chips as well so they’ll hold up very well over time. Since veneers so accurately mimic your real teeth, it’s important to remember that you’ll need to take care of veneers just like real teeth though, so your brushing and flossing habits will need to continue just as they would without the veneers.

Dental veneers can be an excellent choice for some people who wish to conceal the gaps in their teeth. Consider these things and schedule a consultation with your dentist. Dental veneers are custom made for your mouth, so consider these “shells” to mimic your natural teeth and beautify your smile!

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