Bad Breath

Brush regularly. The teeth should be brushed twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Ideally every time you eat, you should brush your teeth. Change your toothbrush every 2-3 months.
Brush your tongue. Bacteria live on the tongue that can contribute to bad breath.
Floss regularly. At least once a day floss your teeth or clean between the teeth with an interdental cleaner to remove plaque and food particles from areas that are hard to reach with a toothbrush. Limited data exists to tell which is the most effective product to clean between the teeth. A product such as dental floss, dental tape, dental floss picks or go-between cleaners can all be helpful in improving dental health and reducing bad breath.
Regular dental visits (every six months) can help assure teeth are clean and evaluate for any dental or gum disease that may be contributing to bad breath.
Keep the mouth moist. This can be accomplished by drinking a lot of water, avoiding alcohol and caffeine and chewing sugarless gum (which stimulates the production of saliva).
Do not smoke or chew tobacco.
Evaluate the medications you take. Some medications may be contributing to bad breath. Talk this over with your doctor, dentist or pharmacist.
Evaluate the foods you eat as some foods are more likely to give you bad breath. Many different foods can cause bad breath. Some common foods include garlic, onions, acidic foods, dairy products, and foods/drinks with caffeine or alcohol. Keeping a diary may help determine which foods are problematic for you.
Use a good mouthwash.

To purchase products discussed in this chapter visit The Drug Store.

Over-the-counter products to treat and prevent bad breath

Most products to treat bad breath simply mask bad odors and provide a temporary solution. Making sure you have products that provide you with good oral hygiene is critical. The best way to treat and prevent bad breath is to get rid of bacteria in the mouth, which is most optimally done with good brushing, flossing and tongue cleaning. Mouthwashes are available to kill germs, which may be helpful.

Limited research is available on different types of oral hygiene products, but a few will be discussed below.

Natural Products

A natural product to completely rid yourself of bad breath is available at No More Bad Breath and Gum Disease.

Toothbrushes and ToothpastesThere are many different products that are used to clean the teeth. The short answer is to choose a toothbrush that will clean the teeth well.

Toothbrushes come in both manual and powered varieties. Ideally you should choose one that is approved by the American Dental Association (ADA). This shows that the product is safe and effective. Also when you are at the dentist – ask him or her which product they recommend.

Children should have a toothbrush made for children. Powered toothbrushes are ideal for those with problems in their shoulders, arms or hands that make brushing difficult. This includes those with arthritis.

To find a good toothbrush and other dental products check: http://www.ada.org/ada/seal/sealsrch.asp. A few examples of good toothbrushes include:

CVS Gem Head

CVS Perfect Interdental Toothbrush

Care One Toothbrush – manual

Colgate Classic (Pokey) Toothbrush

Colgate Junior Toothbrush

Colgate Plus Toothbrush

Reach Toothbrush

Oral-B Indicator Toothbrush

One highly recommended toothbrush is: the Phillips Sonic Care Essence

Toothpaste should maximize dental health at the same time as reducing the risk of bad breath. Again checking for the ADA seal of approval can help assure that they are safe and effective products. Some recommended products include:

Colgate Total
Crest ProHealth
Aquafresh Anti-Cavity Toothpaste
Arm & Hammer Dental Care Advance Cleaning Mint Toothpaste w/Baking Soda
Colgate for Kids Toothpaste
Aquafresh for Kids Toothpaste

Mouthwashes

The regular use of mouthwashes are very likely to reduce the risk of bad breath. Using them once in a while is not as effective as regular use of mouthwashes. Using mouthwashes before bed is optimal.

When choosing a mouthwash look for the ADA seal of approval. Many products carry this seal including many products made by drug/grocery chains. A few products that are recommended include:

CVS Antiseptic Mouthrinse
Listerine Antiseptic
Rite Aid Fresh Mint Antiseptic Mouthrinse
Equate Antiseptic Mouth Rinse

To purchase products discussed in this chapter visit The Drug Store.