How to Tackle Morning Breath Without Using Mints

Waking up with morning breath can make you feel self-conscious, but it happens with everyone. This happens because, at night, your mouth gets dry, and bacteria have more time to grow. Sometimes, this smell might not even go away after you brush your teeth. You might think that grabbing a mint is the best solution. However, it only covers the problem and does not solve it. 

So, what exactly can you do about morning breath? The main rule to follow is maintaining good oral hygiene. Brush and floss before bed, and drink water in the evening to keep your mouth hydrated. Saliva helps fight dryness and bad odor. Sugary snacks and smoking can make the smells worse, so it is important to avoid them. 

Even though these tips can help, they are not a replacement for seeing your dentist. Regular dental check-ups are important to make sure your mouth stays healthy and fresh. Your dentist can spot and treat any issues that might cause bad breath. Visit a Gladstone family dentist today. 

Practical solutions to tackle morning breath 

Morning breath happens to everyone, but it is natural to feel shy about why it happens to you. Here are some ways to deal with it instead of just eating mints every day:

Keep your mouth clean 

One of the most important and helpful tips to tackle morning breath is keeping your oral health good. Do not forget to brush your teeth before you sleep, and do not skip flossing. Flossing helps clear food from the hard-to-reach corners of your mouth. Finally, use the tongue scraper. Cleaning bacteria off your tongue is just as important. 

Drink lots of water

Your mouth is more likely to smell bad when it is dry or is experiencing dry mouth. This occurs when you do not consume enough water throughout the day. Make sure to drink an adequate number of glasses of water to keep your mouth moist and wash away bacteria. You can even keep a glass by your bed in case you get thirsty in the middle of the night. 

Watch what you eat

The smell coming from your mouth depends greatly on what you eat. The smell of certain food items is more likely to linger in your mouth than others. Foods like garlic and onions stay in your system and make your breath smell bad. To tackle bad morning breath, try not to eat these items before bedtime. Instead, eat foods like yogurt or other probiotic foods to help good bacteria in your mouth.

Try natural remedies

There are various simple natural remedies that can help you with the morning breath issue. For example, gargling with warm salt water can clean your mouth of bacteria. Chewing fresh herbs like parsley or fennel can also help. These herbs taste good and fight bad smells naturally.

Use the right products

The good news is that there are a variety of dental products, and you are bound to find something specific to your problem. You can find mouthwash and toothpaste specially designed for bad breath. 

Look for ones with antibacterial ingredients or zinc. These can kill the bacteria that cause bad breath. Mouthwashes with essential oils can also keep your breath fresh for longer.

Preventing bad morning breath in the long run 

Here are some tips to prevent bad morning breath in the long run:

• Maintain a good oral hygiene. Brush twice a day and floss before bed. 
• Visit your dentist regularly, at least once or twice a year. 
• Manage and control health problems that make the problem worse. For example, acid reflux (GERD) can cause stomach acid to come up into your throat, leading to bad breath.

Tired of waking up with bad breath?

Mints only mask the problem but do not really fight it. Visit your dentist today!